Melanosporae 



The majority grow on richly manured ground or dung, some on rotten Copriuus. 

 wood and other materials Bolbitius, the only ally, has the same 

 ephemeral existence, and grows in similar situations, but the gills only 

 soften (not melting) and the spores are somewhat rust-colored. 



The blackening of the gills is not a process of decay, but is due to 

 the growth of the spores, and the plant is still (before deliquescence) 

 perfectly edible although not so inviting in appearance as before. 



Species of Coprinus are very common and are easily recognized by 

 the deliquescent gills which, when mature, stain the fingers black. 



In "Once upon a Time," when country people made their own writ- 

 ing inks, the convenient Coprinus gave its juices for this purpose. A 

 little corrosive sublimate added to the boiled and strained fluid pre- 

 vented it from molding. 



With few exceptions the species are small. They are tender, of real 

 mushroom flavor and highly enjoyable. They make a thin, well flavored 

 catsup, but are better used to give flavor to their less favored brethren. 



They stew in from two to fifteen minutes, depending upon the solidity 

 of the species. 



ANALYSIS OF THE TRIBES. 



A. PELLICULOSI (pellicula, a thin skin). Page 370. 



Gills covered above with a fleshy or membranaceous skin, hence the 

 pileus does not split along the lines of the gills, but becomes lacerated 

 with the edges turned upward. 



* Comati coma, hair. Furnished with a ring formed from the free 

 margin of the volva. The skin of the pileus torn into innate scales. 



* Atramentarii atramentum, ink. Ring imperfect. Volva absent. 

 Pileus dotted with minute innate scales. 



* Picacei pica, a magpie. Universal veil downy, at first continu- 

 ous then broken up into superficial scales forming patches on the pileus. 

 f Tomentosi tomentum, down. Pileus at first covered with a 

 loose hairy down, becoming torn into distinct scales, at length disap- 

 pearing. Ring absent. 



* Micacei mico, to glitter. Pileus at first covered with minute 

 glistening scales, soon disappearing. Ring none. 

 ****** Glabrati. Pileus smooth. Veil absent. 

 24 369 



