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



surface. This white color changes to a yellow brown. The flesh 

 is white and firm. The gills are broad, running down the stem 

 (decurrent), branching more or less at the base. 



Pleurotus ulmarius Bull., the Elm Pleurotus, is also edible, 

 but it is more tough and leathery than P. ostrcatus. 



HYGROPHORUS Fr. 



This genus contains several edible species, and, so far as 

 known, none have harmful properties. As the generic name 

 signifies, the surface of the cap is always moist when young. 

 The soft, somewhat waxy texture of the flesh of the cap and gills 

 gives these plants distinguishing characteristics. ]\Iost of the 

 species are small and somewhat fragile. 



Hygrophorus pratensis (Pers.) Fr., the Pasture Hygro- 

 phorus, is one of the most common species. Although usually 

 small, the flesh is thick and compact, furnishing considerable 

 substance. The plants vary considerably in color, some being 

 nearly white, others changing to shades of yellow and buflf. When 

 young, the cap is nearly hemispherical, but this expands to a 

 convex form, varying considerably in shape. The gills are thick 

 and coarse, extending down the stem (decurrent), their bases 

 being connected by cross veins. The stem resembles the cap in 

 color, but is usually of a lighter hue. It is thick, and as a rule 

 tapers downward. The species is common throughout the 

 summer in old fields, pastures, or thin woods. 



Hygrophorus miniatus Fr. (Plate XVIII.) Passing 

 through some wooded swamp or along some woodland stream, 

 our attention may be called to a brilliant red fungus tinged with 

 yellow, which is growing abundantly among the sphagnum moss. 

 The writer has seen hundreds of plants growiftg within 

 a small area. These are the Vermilion Hygrophorus. The cap 

 is thin and fragile, distinctly convex when young, expanding 

 somewhat at maturity. The surface may be smooth, but some- 

 times it is ridged and uneven. The gills are usually yellow, but 

 frequently have the same reddish tints noticeable in the cap. 

 They are not as coarse as in H. pratensis, and are usually 

 attached squarely to the stem. The stem is slender and smooth, 

 usually solid, but sometimes it becomes hollow in older speci- 

 mens. It is colored like the cap. 



