34 BRITISH FUNC.I 



mistaken for a white-spored one. If such a fungus is kept until 

 the following day, its true nature and position are revealed. As the 

 student advances in the study, the difficulties connected with 

 determining the colour of the spores will gradually disappear, 

 as there are other characters, unwriteable certainly, yet never- 

 theless certain proofs tliat a given fungus belongs to the white- 

 spored, pink-spored, brown-spored or black-spored group re- 

 spectively. 



It would be wise on the part of the student to prepare spore- 

 prints of typical species representing the four colour-groups re- 

 spectively. To do this, a mature agaiic should have the stem cut 

 off close to the gills, then place tlie cap, gills downwards, on a piece 

 of paper, and cover the wliole with a tumbler, basin, etc., to prevent 

 undue evaporation. After an interval of eight to twelve houis, 

 if the cap is carefully lifted up, a perfect impression of the inter- 

 spaces between the gills will be formed on the paper by the de- 

 posited spores. If the spores are white, black paper should be used ; 

 if pink, brown, or black, use white paper. 



After having determined the primary group to which the fungus 

 belongs, the next step is to ascertain to what particular genus it 

 belongs. To accomplish this object the key to the genera included 

 in the group should be consulted, and it must be admitted tliat a 

 little practice is required to become enabled to use a key properly, 

 and benefit by it. After having settled tlie genus, last of all the 

 species or name of the fungus remains to be determined. If the 

 genus contains a considerable number of species, these will be found 

 broken up into sections, and the first point is to determine to 

 which section the fungus belongs. This once correctly determined, 

 the identification of the fungus becomes a comparatively easy 

 matter. 



