344 BRITISH FUNGI 



P. cernua. — Cap up to i in. across, campanulato-convex, then 

 more or less expanded, pallid, wrinkled when dry ; gills greyish 

 white, then dark brown ; stem 2-4 in. long, white, wavy. 



On the ground, heaps of dead leaves, etc. Usually tufted. 



P. /lebes. — Cap up to i in. across, soon expanded, edge finely 

 striate, lurid, pale when dry ; gills cut out behind so as to be almost 

 triangular, brown ; stem about i in. long, whitish. 



Cap lurid, that is, a dingy, obscure olive-colour. 



On trunks, heaps of leaves, etc. 



P. fcenisecii. — Cap up to i in. across, soon more or less expanded, 

 obtuse, dingy brown with a rufous tinge, pale when dry ; gills 

 adnate, ventricose, broad, umber-brown ; stem 2-3 in. long, 

 brownish, then pale. 



Superficially resembling Panaolits papilionaceits, but differing 

 in the umber gills and spores. 



Among short grass in fields, lawns. Common. 



P. clivensis. — Cap about i in. across, pale brown, then almost 

 white, atomate, striate ; gills broad, umber edge, white ; stem 

 about 1 1 in. long, silky, base swollen. 



On the ground. 



P. catervata. — Densely clustered. Cap up to § in. across, cam- 

 panulate, snow-white ; gills brown with a purple tinge, edge white ; 

 stem about 2 in. long, shining white. 



On the ground. 



COPRINUS 



Pileus with a central stem, flesh usually thin, often membrana- 

 ceous, usually grooved or striate, often downy or scurfy, sometimes 

 covered with sparkling particles ; gills at first closely in contact, 

 usually dissolving into a black, dripping fluid ; spores black ; stem 

 hollow, volva and ring present in some species. 



A very natural genus, characterized by the usually deliquescent 

 gills and ephemeral existence. The majority grow on dung or 

 rich ground. 



I. Cap li'itli a distinct cuticle ; gills deliquescing at maturity. 



* Ring present on stem {at least, when young), formed by the free 

 edge of the volva. Cuticle of cap torn into scales. 



C. comatus (PI. XXIV, fig. 3) (parasol mushroom). — Cap 3-6 in. 

 high, cylindrical, then more or less expanded at the edge, at first 

 smooth, ochraceous, the cuticle becoming broken up into patch- 

 like scales and exposing the white flesh ; gills crowded, white, then 

 the edge becomes rosy, finally black and deliquescent ; stem 4-q in. 

 long, silky, white, hollow, bulbous, ring movable. 



Gregarious. Esculent. 



Among grass in pastures ; often on waste ground. 



