5024 CRYPTOGAMLl FUNGI. 



Ie grows fometimes fmgle, but more frequently in 



../,v; clutters, and. fpeedily perifhes. 



;■ The ftalk is cylindrical, white, fiilular, from three 



to fix inches high or more, Ibmewhat thick 



_ ; ;. and folid at the bafe, ending with a taper root 



under ground. When young it is generally 



■ -. furrounded in the middle with a thin, mem- 



I . > ■ ■ branaceous ring^ which foon vanifhej without 



leaving the leaft remains, 

 f ' The P/7^/^j when young, is oval; ftriated, either of 



. -j.j.; a grey or pale-brown color,, the rim pucker'd 

 ■ ,;, . ., and contracled around the fialk, the 'vertex 

 tawny-br.own and fmooth., "When full grown 

 it becomes bell- fliap'd,. and in decay the rim 

 . • : ; ;- . ■ is lacerated and folded back. 

 i- • ■- ..; The gills (as in the other Agarics) are compofed 

 each of two memibranes, and are very nume- 

 rous, clofe, and remarkably broad or deep, fo 

 _./ as to render the P/'/t-wj thick and heavy. They 



•: • are all extended from the rim to the vertex, 



where they teraiinate fo as to leave a vacant 

 : ^ circle, in the centre of which the <^/^^ of the 

 ftalk is inferted, witliout being touch'd by the 

 gills. The gills at f r(l are covered with a 

 hoary whitenefs, which foon vaniflies, and 

 leaves them quite black. In decay, both gills 

 ■ _ , and Pileus dilTblve into an inky liquor full of 



feeds, which under the microfcope appear to be 

 fpherical . 



This 



