38 FUNGUS-FLORA. 



Bussula, Fries, Epicr., p. 349; Cke., Hdhk., p. 319. 



A very distinct genus, closely allied to Lactarius, but dis- 

 tinguished by the absence of milk. As in Lactarius, the 

 flesh and gills of species included in the present genus are 

 replete with anastomosing laticiferous cells, the free ends of 

 which often project as cystidia between the other elements 

 of the hymenium ; the dense, granular latex does not flow 

 from the cells when broken, hence the absence of milk. 



The flesh (due to the latex) is very acrid or hot in some 

 species, mild in others, and as this character is constant 

 when developed under normal conditions, has been utilised 

 in the following grouping of species. In a few species the 

 taste is mild at first, but becomes slightly acrid after re- 

 maining in the mouth for a short time; in others the 

 acridity is realised at once ! 



The species included in the present genus are by many 

 considered as passing all understanding, but I consider the 

 white species of Clitocybe much more difficult in that respect. 



The sections proposed by Fries overlap to such an extent 

 as to render them almost useless ; hence I have ventured on 

 a new distribution of species. It may be urged against this 

 scheme that allied species are widely separated ; possibly so, 

 but I consider the primary use of a purely systematic 

 work is to enable the student to identify species correctly ; 

 and as affinities cannot possibly be indicated in serial order 

 on a plane surface, the loss is not great. 



ANALYSIS OF THE SPECIES. 



Sect. I. TASTE MILD. (Or in some species mild at first, 

 and becoming slowly acrid when kept in the mouth for some 

 time.) 



* Gills ochraceous. 



E * Gills pale or bright yellow; without an ochraceous 

 tinge. 



** Gills white or creamy-white ; never yellow nor ochra- 

 ceous, but sometimes becoming blackish with age. 



