Agaricaceae 



Series IV, PORPHYRO'SPOR-ffi (Pratelli). Gr. purple. 



Spores typically black-purple or brownish-purple, more rarely dusky 

 brown. (It is to be observed that the spores vary in color according to 

 the color of the ground on which they are deposited. ) There are sterile 

 forms with the gills persistently white (A. obturatus, A. udus) . Those 

 species are more deceptive in which the gills continue for a long time 

 white, and even begin to decay before they are discolored by the spores ; 

 these may be easily mistaken for Leucospori. Fries. 



Pratelli is the name given by the early authors to this series, based 

 upon the spore color; Porphyrosporae is the name now used. The spe- 

 cies within the group are closely allied to those having black spores 

 without a tinge of purple or violet (Melanosporae), but in none of the 

 species do the gills deliquesce as in Coprinus, neither are there resupi- 

 nate or lateral stemmed species. 



There is a present tendency to do away with this series and include 

 all dark-spored species in the Melanosporae. Professor Atkinson and 

 Bertha Stoneman, in their "Provisional Key to the Genera of Hymen- 

 omit the series and give " Melanosporae, Gill and Butz 

 (Pratellae and Coprinariae in broadest sense). 

 Spores dark brown, purplish-brown or black." 

 It is frequently difficult to determine by the 

 spore-color of this series even to which series a 

 specimen belongs. Many of our best edibles 

 belong in this series. I know of none noxious. 



omycetes, 



Chitonia. 



(PlateXCI.) 



CHITO'NIA Fr. 



Universal veil distinct from the pileus, at ma- 

 turity forming a distinct volva round the base of 

 the ringless central stem. Gills free from the 

 stem. Spores brownish-purple. 



Analogous in structure with Volvaria and 

 Amanitopsis. An exotic genus imported into 

 this country. 

 No American species reported. 



CHITONIA RUBRICEPS. 

 Two-thirds natural size. 



