Agaricaceae 



attached to the base is called the volva. The membrane reaching from 

 the stem to the margin of the cap is the partial veil ; when it ruptures 

 by the expansion of the cap and all or a portion adheres to and about 

 the stem it forms the annulus or ring. In some species one or both 

 veils may be present, or one or both may be absent. 



The stem is central when supporting the cap at its center ; excentric 

 when at one side of the center; lateral when it supports the cap from 

 the side. If the stem is absent, the cap is said to be sessile; if the cap 

 is horizontal and supported by a broad base it is dimidiate; if attached 

 to its place of growth by its back it is rcsnpinate. 



Genera are largely distinguished by the manner in which the gills are 

 attached to the stem. These distinguishing attachments are shown in 

 the plates illustrating genera and in Plate IV. Gill-shapes. 



For convenience Agaricaceae is divided by the color of the spores into 

 five series: white, pink, brown, purple, black. The last two, owing 

 to the similarity of hue, are by some writers (preferably) included in 

 the black-spored series. Spore color is a valuable assistant in deter- 

 mining species. 



Series I. LEUCOSPOR-ffi. Or. white; Gr. seed. 



Spores white, rarely dingy or inclining to reddish. In the genus 

 Russula the spores of some species are white, in some cream-color, and 

 in several pale ochraceous. Variations from pure white are found in 

 the spores of Tricholoma personatum and a few other species. Gill- 

 color is not a guide \ to spore-color. Purple, yellow, brown, pinkish 

 gills may produce white spores. 



AMANITA. 



(A name given to some esculent fungi by Galen, perhaps from 

 Mount Amanus.) 



Amanita. Universal veil (volva), which is at first continuous (completely en- 

 veloping the young plant), distinct from the skin of the cap. Hymen- 

 ophore or cap, the part which bears the spore-bearing surface, distinct 

 and easily separable from the stem, which leaves a socket in the flesh 

 when it is removed. All growing upon the ground. Fries. 



Pileus somewhat fleshy, convex then expanded. Gills free. Uni- 

 versal veil at first enclosing the entire plant, which as it grows bursts 



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