1024 CRYPTOGAMIA FUNGI. 



It grows fometimes fingle, but more frequently ii: 

 clufters, and fpeedily perilhes. 



The ftaik is cylindrical, white, fiflular, from three 

 to fix inches high or more, fomewhat thick 

 and folid at the bafe, ending with a taper root 

 under ground. When young it is generally 

 furroupded in the middle with a thin, mem- 

 branaceous ring, which foon vanilhes without 

 leaving the leaft remains. 



The Pileus when young is oval, flriated, either of 

 a grey or pale-brown color, the rim pucker'd 

 and contraded around the ftalk, the verte>; 

 tawny-brown and fmooth. "When full grown 

 it becomes bell-fnap'd, and in decay the rim 

 is lacerated and folded back. 



The gills (as in the other Agarics) are compofed 

 each of two membranes, and are very nume- 

 rous, clofe, and remarkably broad or deep, lb 

 as to render the Pileus thick and heavy. They 

 are all extended from the rim to the vertex^ 

 where they terminate fo as to leave a vacant 

 circle, in the centre of which the ^.pex of the 

 ftalk is inferted, without being touch'd by the 

 gills. The gills at f.rft are covered with a 

 hoary whitenels, which foon vaniflies, and 

 leaves them, quite black. In decay, both gills 

 and Pileus diflblve into an inky liquor full of, 

 feeds, which under the microfcope appear to be 

 fpherical. 



This 



