36 CONNECTICUT GEOL. AND NAT. HIST. SURVEY. [Bull. 



MARASMIUS Fr. 



This genus contains few desirable edible species, because of 

 the tough and leathery nature of the plants. One species, how- 

 ever, is soft and succulent. 



Marasmius oreades Fr. Fairy-ring Mushroom. (Plate 

 IV.) Occurs frequently in 'lawns. The mycelium, or vegetative 

 part of the fungus, seems to be perennial in the soil ; and, as 

 fast as the nutritive substances in the soil become absorbed, it 

 dies. All the while, however, new mycelial strands are sent into 

 fresh territory, so that after a while the fruiting bodies, or caps, 

 appear in well-defined circles. Thus the name " Fairy Ring " is 

 given to this and to several other fungi having similar habits of 

 growth. The plant is commonly found during the summer 

 months, and even after heavy frosts in autumn it has been found 

 abundantly on the campus of the Connecticut Agricultural Col- 

 lege. The cap is usually convex, then expanded, having a more 

 or less well-defined elevation at the summit. It varies from one 

 to two and a half inches in diameter. The flesh is thick, but 

 inclined to be tough and leathery. This character, however, 

 usually disappears somewhat with cooking, and the flavor is 

 delicious. The stem is from one to one and a half inches long, 

 and is everywhere clothed with a downy, hairy covering. 



TRICHOLOMA Fr. 



While this genus contains many species, few are listed as 

 edible. Of the Connecticut species there are six thus considered, 

 and of these T. personatiim and T. sejiinctum are the most 

 desirable. The group is characterized by having no distinct ring 

 or cup, but the immature plants are covered with a cobwebby 

 veil, which soon disappears and may leave a slight ring on the 

 stem. The gills are perhaps the most characteristic feature of 

 these plants, being more or less strongly notched as they join 

 the stem. Sometimes this notch is inconspicuous, and disappears 

 entirely by the splitting of the gills with age; but as a rule it 

 is quite prominent. 



Trichcloma personatum Fr. Masked Tricholoma. (Plate 

 V, Bull. No. 3.) This is considered one of the best edible 

 species. It grows in open woods, under trees, on lawns, and in 

 open fields. The writer has found this species most frequently 



