FIELD BOOK OF COMMON GILLED MUSHROOMS 



the stem and the margin of the cap. In many species these 

 fine webby filaments are so numerous that they at first con- 

 ceal the gills, but they mostly disappear with advancing age, 

 and leave little or no trace of a collar upon the stem. 



In the young plants of this family the color of the gills is 

 generally quite unlike that of mature ones. The mature gills 

 become dusted by the spores which collect upon them and 

 assume their color so that the mature plants of all of the species 

 of this genus are colored similarly. It is therefore of the ut- 

 most importance in identifying specimens of Cortinarius to 

 know the color of the gills of both the young and old plants. 



The gills of all species of Cortinarius are attached to the 

 stem at their inner end and usually their free edges are sharply 

 bent or toothed near the stem (emarginate) . 



The plants of this genus are usually found growing within 

 or at the borders of woods. 



Species of Cortinarius 



Cortinarius alboviolaceus ; pale violet cortinarius. Plate 

 VIII, Species 40. 



On ground among leaves in woods; in groups; late summer 

 and autumn; edible. 



Cap convex with a broad elevation at center (umbonate); 

 pale violet to buff, or silvery white with a violet tint; sur- 

 face smooth, dry, shining; edge turned down; diameter i to 3 

 inches. 



Gills attached to stem (adnate) or extending slightly down 

 the stem (decurrent), sometimes notched at stem; rather 

 broad; close together; pale violet to ashy-purplish when young, 

 turning cinnamon-brown when old; irregular on edge. 



Stem tapering upward; thick; violaceous above; sometimes 

 stained rusty by fallen spores; 2 to 4K inches long. 



Spores rusty brown; variable size; slightly rough. 6,5- 

 9 X 4-5 microns in diameter. 



170 



