GENERA AND SPECIES OF MUSHROOMS 



abundance than the shaggy-mane (Coprinus comatus). Ow- 

 ing to its deUquescent character it must be cooked very soon 

 after it is collected. Murrill. 



Sometimes the cap is entirely smooth. Other forms present 

 numerous small scales on the top or center of the cap. In 

 others the delicate tufts (scales) cover more or less the entire 

 surface, giving the plant a coarsely granular aspect. This is 

 perhaps the more common appearance, at least so far as 

 my own observation goes. But not infrequently one finds 

 forms which have the entire outer surface of the cap torn 

 into quite a large number of coarse scales, and these are 

 often more prominent over the upper portion. Fine lines 

 mark also the entire surface of all the forms, especially 

 towards the margin, where the scales are not so prominent. 

 The marginal half of the cap is also frequently furrowed. 

 Atkinson. 



Coprinus comatus; shaggy-mane mushroom; shaggy 

 coprinus; horse-tail m.ushroom. Plate I, Species 38. 

 (Frontispiece.) 



On ground, in pastures, waste places or dumping grounds; 

 late summer and autumn (in late spring — ^Atkinson)* in 

 close groups (Murrill); edible. 



Cap at first oblong or nearly cylindrical, becoming bell- 

 shaped or expanded and splitting on the margin; whitish, 

 adorned with scattered yellowish scales; turning to a black 

 liquid when old; iK to 3 inches long before expansion; the 

 scales make the shaggy appearance which gives it its name. 



Gills white and closely crow^ded together at first, soon 

 pinkish, reddish or purplish tints appear, which quickly 

 turn to black; sometimes all these tints may be seen at one 

 time on one plant; dissolving into a black liquid. 



Stem white; smooth; hollow; rather long; smooth or with 

 minute fibres; in the young plant it is furnished with a ring 



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