Agaricaceee 



CORTINA'RIUS Fr. 



Cortina, a veil or curtain. 



Cortinarius. Veil resembling the consistency of a cob-web, superficial, distinct 

 from the cuticle of the pileus. Flesh of pileus and stem continuous. 

 Gills persistent, dry, changing color, powdered with the spores. Trama 

 fibrillose. Spores globose or oblong, somewhat ochraceous on white 

 paper. Fries. 



This genus is not easily confounded with any other, the cob-webby 

 veil stretched from stem to pileus in the young plant not being found in 

 other fungi. This must be looked for only in youth, as from its tender 

 character it soon breaks and often appears only as a very indistinct 

 collar on the stem, colored from catching the falling spores. The colors 

 are generally pronounced and often extremely bright, there being very 

 few prettier toadstools than those inclined to the blue or purple shades, 

 which are not uncommon in the immature form. The color of the 

 spores is also a marked feature, being rusty or brownish-ochraceous, 

 turning the gills to the same color at maturity. On account of this 

 change it is generally necessary to have specimens at both stages of 

 growth to accurately determine the species. The gills are thin, attached 

 to the stem in various manners, rarely slightly decurrent. 



Cortinarius is distinguished from Flammula by growing on the ground 

 and by the bright ferruginous color of its spores. 



Cortinarius is a sturdy, hardy genus preferring northern latitudes and 

 autumnal months, though several of its species grow as far south as Ala- 

 bama, and one, a new species described by Professor Peck, is found on 

 the Helderberg mountains in May. The genus contains many species, 

 most of which produce in great numbers, yet being woods-growing, and 

 coming as they do when leaves are falling, they are often missed because 

 of their similarity to their surroundings. 



Heretofore, less than a dozen species have been reported as eaten. 

 This number is now doubled. While several species are bitter and oth- 

 ers equally unpleasant, not one has been accused of harm. It is highly 

 probable that other varieties than those herein given will prove equally 

 acceptable as food. I have tested all I have found in sufficient quantity 

 to warrant passing judgment upon them. 



The genus does not contain as many species of superior excellence as 

 other fleshy genera of like numbers. The flesh is frequently dry and of 



