CLASSIFICATION 225 



C. Gills decurrent. 



* Stem central. 



Stem obviously fibrous externally. Clitopilus. 



Cap umbilicate ; stem externally smooth and polished. Eccilia. 



** Stem excentric, lateral or absent. 



All the species minute. Claudopus. 



NOTES OF THE GENERA 

 It has already been stated that the genera included in the various 

 groups characterized by the colour of the spores, have the same 

 structural features repeated under each group, that is, in each 

 primary colour-gi-oup we find genera having the gills adnate, free, 

 etc., respectively. In the same way there are genera in each of the 

 primary colour-groups having a ring on the stem. From the above 

 it will be recognized how important it is to first ascertain the colour 

 of the spores of a fungus, because in the absence of this character, 

 it would be impossible for the beginner to determine to which of the 

 primary groups such fungus belonged. With experience this 

 difficulty will disappear, because as a rule the general combination 

 of characters, or, in other words, the general appearance of a fungus 

 suggests the colour-group to which it belongs. Such combination 

 of characters cannot be reduced to written terms, nevertheless they 

 exist. In the following account of genera, the structural equivalent 

 occurring in each colour-group will be indicated. 



VOLVARIA 



The presence of a well-developed volva and free gills stamp this 

 genus, remembering that the spores are pink. Some of the species 

 are large and showy, all are comparatively rare. Corresponds 

 structurally to Amanitopsis in the Leucosporese, and to Chitonia 

 (not truly British) in the Melanosporeae. 



Pluteus 

 Gills free, ring and volva absent. In many species the gills 

 remain whitish for some time, and then are lialDle to be mistaken 

 for white-spored species. Mostly growing on wood. Not by any 

 means common, except P. cervinus. Corresponds with Schulzeria 

 in the Leucosporeae, and with Pilosace in the Melanosporeae. 



Entoloma 

 Known amongst the Rhodosporea by the sinuate gills, which, as 

 in Pluteus, often remain white or pallid until the fungus is full grown. 

 The species are mostly fairly large and somewhat stout in build. 

 They grow on the ground, and are in most abundance after prolonged 

 rain. Corresponding structurally with the genus Tricholoma in the 

 Leucosporeae, with Heheloma in the Ochrosporeae, and with Hypho- 

 loma in the Melanosporeae. 



NOLANEA 



Closely allied to Leptonia, differing mainly in the cap being 



