CLASSIFICATION 321 



Corresponds in structure to Myccna in the Leucosporeae, to 

 Nolanca in the RhodosporecC, and to Galera in the Ochrosporeae. 



PSILOCYBE 



All the species, with one exception — Psilocybc sarcoccpliala — are 

 slender, growing on the ground, gregarious or often tufted, in- 

 odorous ; stem slender, often rooting. Most nearly allied to 

 Psathyra, under which genus the distinctions are noted. Analogous 

 with Collybia in the Leucosporeae, Leptonia in the Rhodosporeae, 

 and with Naucoria in the Ochrosporea?. 



COPRINUS 



This genus includes a large number of species, all of which bear 

 a strong general resemblance, and when once the main features of 

 the genus are grasped there should be little difficulty in recognizing 

 a Coprinus. One marked characteristic is their ephemeral duration ; 

 many species do not last for a day in the mature condition ; many 

 of the smaller species do not persist for more than a few hours. 

 Another feature of almost universal occurrence is the gradual deli- 

 quescence of the gills, which commence from the edge and melt 

 away into a blackish liquid as the spores are shed. In all species 

 the flesh of the cap is thin, and in many of the smaller kinds it is 

 reduced to an exceedingly thin membrane, which either melts away 

 along with the gills or dries up and resembles a piece of crumpled 

 tissue-paper. In some of the higher species a volva or ring is 

 present on the stem. Some are edible. None are known to be 

 poisonous. 



Most of the species grow on manure or on soil where dung has 

 been scattered about. 



Bolhitiiis in the Ochrosporeas agrees with Coprinus in general 

 structure, in ephemeral existence, and in the deliquescence of the 

 gills. 



Chitonia 



Universal veil present, forming at maturity a distinct volva 

 round the base of the central stem, which is devoid of a ring ; gills 

 free from the stem ; spores brownish purple. 



A species belonging to this genus was found growing on soil in 

 the Aroid house, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and had undoubt- 

 edly been introduced along with tropical plants. The genus is not 

 indigenous in Europe. 



C. rubriceps. — Cap 5-1 in. across, rather fleshy, campanulate. 

 then expanded, umbonate, often becoming depressed round the 

 umbo, margin arched, slightly striate, smooth, reddish brown ; 

 gills free, narrow, rather crowded, purphsh brown, dry ; stem 

 about 3 in. long, slender, equal, smooth, even, paler than the cap, 

 hollow ; volva large, free, whitish, torn irregularly at the margin. 



V 



