148 BRITISH FUNGI 



A very distinct genus, but difficult to define. It differs from its 

 nearest allies, Collybia and Myccna, by not deliquescing at maturity, 

 but by drying up, and again assuming the original form when 

 moistened. Some species have a smell resembling garlic or onions. 

 Most species grow on wood, branches or leaves. 



I. Stem everywhere' minutely velvety or downy (showing best when 

 dry). 



M. urens. — Cap 2-3 in. across, tough, smooth, even, pinkish buff, 

 or almost umber when moist, paler when dry ; gills free, buff, then 

 brownish ; stem 2-3 in. long, pallid, everywhere covered with 

 \\'hite down, base white, downy. Taste pungent. 



The pungent taste separates it from M. oreades. 



Woods and grassy places amongst fallen leaves. Tufted. 



M. peronatus (PI. XIII, fig. 6). — Very acrid. Cap convex, then 

 almost plane, obtuse, opaque, often becoming depressed here and 

 there, or lacunose, pale rufous with a tinge of brick-red, then tan- 

 colour, 1-2 in. across ; flesh thin, pliant ; gills adnexed, then 

 separating from the stem, thin, somewhat crowded, narrow, pallid, 

 then with a rufescent tinge ; stem about 2 in. long, thinner upwards, 

 pale, downy above, at the base and for some distance up, with long, 

 spreading down, varying in colour from yellowish white to clear 

 canary yellow. 



Allied to M. iirens, but readily distinguished by the densely woolly 

 or peronate lower portion of the stem. 



In woods among fallen, damp leaves. 



M. porreus. — Smell hke garlic. Cap 1-2 in. across, thin, limp, 

 edge striate, dingy yellowish, paler when dry ; gills yellow, then 

 palhd ; stem up to 3 in. long, reddish brown, covered with white 

 down. 



M. prasiosmns agrees in the garlic smell, but differs in the 

 glabrous stem. 



Among fallen leaves, etc. 



M. oreades (PI. XIII, fig. 5) (fairy ring mushroom). — Cap i-i| in. 

 across, somewhat umbonate when expanded, l^rownish, then tan, 

 finally pale, tough ; gills distant, pliant, pallid ; stem ii-2 in. long, 

 whitish, covered with down. 



Cap sometimes rufescent, becoming pale ; gills often with a pink 

 tinge. 



In open pastures, often forming fairy rings. Edible. 



M. plancus. — Cap |-i^ in. across, pliant, rufescent, then pale ; 

 gills distant, pale ochraceous brown ; stem about i J in. long, pallid, 

 and covered with white down. 



Allied to M. oreades, differing in the narrower, darker coloured 

 gills. 



Woods and shady places. 



