76 BRITISH FUNGI 



less depressed at the centre, reaching the funnel-shaped stage in 

 some species. Prominent scales are absent in all cases, striation 

 of the edge infrequent ; but in many thin-ca})pcd sj^ecies the edge 

 becomes irregularly \\a\y. 



The stem is usually distinctly fibrous externally, somewhat 

 tough or elastic, generalh- stuffed, and sometimes becoming hollow- 

 wit li age. 



Brilliant colouring is absent ; many of the species are white, 

 then follows various shades of grey or l)ufl. Some of the species 

 are amongst the largest of our agarics, the very large, white, funnel- 

 shaped kinds being excellent from a culinary point of view. 



A few species have a pleasant spicy smeU, resembling aniseed. 



All grow on the ground, usually in tufts or clusters. 



Laccciria 



The few species included in this genus were at one time included 

 in Clitocybc, with which genus they agree in structural characters, 

 but differ in having globose, warted spores, which persist on the 

 gills for some time, giving them a mealy appearance. L. laccaia 

 is one of the commonest of fungi in our woods in the autumn, and 

 is usually of a deep amethyst or purple colour when moist, becoming 

 pale when dry. A second species, or a \'ariety of L. laccata, as it 

 is considered b}' some, is of a deep orange-brown colour when 

 moist. 



OmpJialia 



The species generally are small and delicate. The cap is almost 

 in\-ariablv depressed, often to the extent of becoming funnel- 

 shaped, and the gills are truly decurrent, two characters, it will be 

 remembered, that are also common to Clitocybc ; but in the present 

 genus the stem is corticated and polished, which in reality is the 

 only constant difterence between the two genera. As usual, when 

 the cap is depressed or funnel-shaped the margin is arched or 

 turned in more or less, and often striate or grooved. The cap is 

 never truly scaly, and most frequently quite smooth. In some 

 species the cap is very hygrophanous — that is, it absorbs water 

 very readily and also parts with it quite as readily in dry air ; 

 hence the cap varies much in colour, being quite dark when it is 

 saturated with water, and becoming quite pale when quite dry. 

 In some species the cap commences to dry at the disc or apex 

 first, and gradually dries downwards towards the edge ; in other 

 species the order of drying is reversed, commencing at the edge 

 first, and drying out upwards ; this mode, however, is by far tlie 

 rarest. Everyone who has observed fungi in their native habitats, 

 and under natural conditions, must have noticed that the cap often 

 shows two distinct colours, one portion being much darker than 

 the other. Tliis is due to the drying-out process described abo\'e, 

 the darker portion being yei waterlogged. Another peculiar 



