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



Those which grow where there is an abundance of plant food 

 are in large clusters; a single cluster frequently filling a four- 

 quart measure. The cap is bell-shaped, becoming expanded with 

 age, until it is nearly flat. Frequently the edges roll up at 

 maturity, and when in clusters the cap becomes misshapen 

 because of the" density of growth. The color of the cap varies 

 considerably. Frequently it is gray-brown or fawn-color, but 

 often of a dark brown. The surface of the cap may be smooth 

 or densely covered with fine fibrils. The whole plant resembles 

 closely Collybia platyphylla, but lacks its general coarseness. 

 The gills especially distinguish the two species. Phiteus cermniis 

 has the gills close yet not crowded, broad, and free from the 

 stem; these are at first white, then flesh-colored. The stem is 

 symmetrical or slightly tapering upward ; it is firm, solid, and 

 either quite smooth or covered with fine fibrils similar to those 

 of the cap. The color of the stem also varies with the color of 

 the cap. The interior of the stem is filled with fine fibers which 

 differ in substance from the flesh of the cap, therefore the two are 

 easily separable. 



CLITOPILUS Fr. 



This genus resembles in many of its characteristics Clitocybe 

 of the white-spored group. Most of the species are earth- 

 growing ; and, so far as now known, none of the species are harm- 

 ful. Care must be taken, however, to distinguish the species from 

 Entoloma of this same rosy-spored group. In Entoloma the gills 

 have a distinct tooth w^here they join the stem (sinuate), while 

 in Clitopilus the gills are joined squarely to the stem or extend 

 down it in decurrent lines. 



Clitopilus orcella Bull. The best edible species in this genus 

 is C. orcella. It is also one of the most abundant fungi, growing 

 commonly in open woods and grassy pastures throughout the 

 summer months. The cap is often irregular in shape, is very 

 fleshy, soft, plane or slightly depressed. It is white or yellow- 

 white in color, slightly sticky or viscid when moist, becoming 

 silky when dry. The flesh is solid, thick, white, and has a strong 

 farinaceous odor and taste. The gills are close, decurrent, 

 running down the stem, at first white, then flesh-colored. The 

 stem is short, thick, solid, colored like the cap, somewhat 

 thickened above, and is often at one side of the center (eccentric). 



