NYCTALIS. 329 



anastomosing wrinkles, which, especially at the base, are 

 reticulate, though towards the margin they continue distinct. 

 At first sight it appears like a pale minute specimen of 

 Peltidea canina, much sodden with moisture. (Berk.) 



NYCTALIS. Fries, (fig. 5, p. 301.) 



Pileus symmetrical, in some species bearing large conidia 

 on its surface ; gills adnate or decurrent, thick, soft, margin 

 obtuse ; stem central, its substance continuous with the 

 flesh of the pileus; spores colourless, smooth, elliptical or 

 subglobose. 



Nyctalis, Fries, Syst. Orb. Veg., p. 203 ; Cke., Hdbk., p. 

 343. 



The typical species are saprophytic on decaying fungi. 



ANALYSTS OF THE SPECIES. 



I. PARASITAE. 



Gills distinct, distant. Growing on decaying fungi. 

 II. SPELEAE. 



Gills somewhat growing into each other, crowded. Grow- 

 ing in dark places, and in all probability nothing more than 

 morbid conditions of other species. 



I. PARASITAE. 



Nyctalis parasitica. Fr. 



Pileus up to f in. across, flesh thin, conical then soon 

 becoming expanded, unequal, pruinose from the presence of 

 conidia, grey; gills adnate, thick, distant, at length anasto- 

 mosing, brownish; stem 1-3 in. long, not 1 line thick, often 

 wavy, equal, downy, whitish ; spores broadly elliptical, 

 smooth, 5 x 3 5 p.. 



Nyctalis parasitica, Fries, Hym. Eur., p. 464; Cke., Hdbk., 

 p. 344; Cke., Illustr., pi. 1113. 



