234 FUNGUS-FLORA. 



RHODOSPORAE. 



The pale flesii-colourecl or salmon-coloured gills is the 

 distinguishing feature of the present section. The gills, as 

 in every section of the Agaricinae, are white when young, 

 the colour presented at maturity being due to the colour of 

 the spore-wall or epispore, and in the present section, unless 

 care is taken, many pale-gilled species may be considered as 

 belonging to the Leucosporae, especially if examined while 

 still vigorous and growing, but such, when allowed to 

 remain overnight in a cool place, show clearly the salmon- 

 coloured gills in the morning. 



The spores are in some species elliptical and smooth ; in 

 others globose or oblong and angularly warted. The pink 

 colour is evident under the microscope. Cystidia are 

 present in the hymenium of many species. 



The present section is, numerically, the smallest included 

 in the Agaricinae, and generally speaking, the species are 

 somewhat rare. The usual sequence of structure is met 

 with, commencing with stemless, resupinate, minute forms, 

 passing through types showing decurrent, adnate, sinuate, 

 adnexed, and free gills respectively. In the high forms 

 primary or secondary veil is present, hence volvate and 

 annulate species exist. 



ANALYSIS OF TEE GENEBA. 



A. Gills decurrent. 

 * Stem, excentric or absent. 

 Claudopus. — Species minute. 



** Stem central. 



Eccilia. — Pileus umbilicate ; stem with a polished carti- 

 laginous bark. 



Clitopilus. — Stem fibrous. 



