EDIBLE MUSHROOMS. 71 



BUFF CAPS. 



Ilygroplwrus praiensis. 



(Plate VIII. Fig. 2.) 



The Buflf Caps is a rather early species, 

 amongst grass, and has been highly com- 

 mended. Although it is one of the Hygro- 

 phori — literally, " water-bearers "—it is of 

 a much drier consistency than many others 

 of that group. The cap is seldom more 

 than two inches broad, becoming nearly 

 fiat, smooth and soft, like a kid glove. 

 From the edge of the cap it tapers gradu- 

 ally downwards to the stem, the gills being 

 broad and thick, and running a long way 

 down the stem, which is attenuated to the 

 base. The gills are distant apart, showing 

 the rugged veins at their base. When the 

 whole fungus is cut through longitudinally, 

 it will be seen that the flesh is very thick 

 and solid, of the same tone of colour, but 

 paler than the exterior. The whole fungus 

 is of one colour, although the spores are 



