302 FtfNGUS-FLOEA. 



many species of the present group, is due to the presence 

 ■.of myriads of very minute, glistening crystals of oxalate 

 ■o f lim e. 



Many of the species grow on dung or in richly-manured 

 ground, a few occur on decaying trunks. 



The deliquescence of the gills in Ooprinus has its equi- 

 valent in the deliquescence of the trama and hymenial 

 ■elements, basidia, &c., in the Gastromycetes. 



The genus GompJiidius is placed with the present group on 

 purely technical grounds, and presents no affinity whatever 

 with any other genus included in the section: But this 

 remark is equally true of the genera included in any other 

 group, Goiivphidius not suggesting close affinity with any 

 known genus. Fries considers that the habit suggests a 

 position intermediate between Om-tinarius and Mygrophorus. 



The spores in the present genus are not truly black, as 

 in the remainder of the Melanosporae, but more or less 

 olive with a smoky-black tinge, and are very large and 

 fusiform or spindle-shaped, as in the genus Boletus. 



ANALYSIS OF THE OENEBA. 



Melanospoeae. 



* Gills at first cohering laterally, soon deliquescing, not 

 deeurrent. 



Coprinus. 



** Gills distinct, not deliquescent nor deeurrent. 

 f Pileus not striate. 



Anellaria. — Stem with a ring. 



Fanaeolus. — Stem without a ring. 



ft Pileus striate. 



Psathyrella. 



*** Gills deeurrent, subgelatinous. 



Gomphidius. 



