FIELD BOOK OF COMMON GILLED MUSHROOMS 



burning taste. No one who had tasted it in the raw state 

 could be induced to swallow the least particle of it. Peck. 



This species was probably named " volemus " because of 

 the voluminous quantity of milk which exudes when the plant 

 is broken or bruised, though it is not the only species hav- 

 ing this character. Atkinson. 



The genus Lentinus 



Mushrooms belonging to this genus are found growing 

 upon wood. They are variable in form, hard or tough in 

 texture and have white spores. They are easily recognized 

 by the uneven or sawlike edges of their gills. 



Species of Lentinus 



Lentinus cochleatus; shell lentinus. Species 80. Fig- 

 ure 24A. 



On or about old stumps or growing from decaying wood 

 buried in the ground; in tufts; July and August; inedible 

 because tough. 



Cap thin; tough; flaccid; irregular in shape; often lobed 

 on the margin; plane, depressed at the center or funnel- 

 shaped; smooth; brownish-flesh color when moist, paler 

 when dry; }4 to 2 inches broad. 



Gills rather broad; close together; extending down the 

 stem (decurrent); saw-like (serrate) on the edge; whitish, 

 tinged with flesh-color. 



Stem placed in the center, to one side or on the edge of 

 the cap; usually united in a tuft; solid; smooth; furrowed 

 or grooved; color of cap or paler; i>^ to 3 inches long. 



Spores white; nearly globular; .00016 to .0002 inch in 

 diameter. 



The species is easily recognized by its tufted mode of 



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