Xo. 3.] HYMENIALES OF CONNECTICUT. 5 1 



cies last for only a very short time. Several times during col- 

 lecting trips, species of this genus have been gathered, and 

 before reaching the laboratory they have almost entirely dis- 

 solved into a black fluid. This fluid is colored by the abun- 

 dance of inky-black spores which are formed on the mature 

 gills. 



The plants vary from minute forms found on manure heaps 

 to the " shaggy mane " which often grows to a considerable 

 size. The species are usually clustered and occur in consid- 

 erable quantities where found. 



In July of the past summer, the writer found a very rotten 

 maple stump with several large clumps of C. atramentarius 

 growing at its base. Knocking the stump to pieces the in- 

 terior was found crowded with well developed caps. These 

 were cooked and were very tender and deliciously flavored. 

 The plants mature so quickly, especially in moist weather, that 

 it is necessary to keep a careful watch for them if they are to 

 be gathered while fresh. 



Coprinus atramentarius (Bull.) Fr. (inky). 



Mansfield, July. Edible (Atk.). 

 Coprinus comatus Fr. (hairy). 



East Hartford, Hamner; New Haven, Clinton. Edible 

 (Atk.). Plate XXVI. 

 Coprinus micaceus (Bull.) Fr. (granular). 



Mansfield, Aug. (314). Edible (McL). 

 Coprinus plicatilis Fr. (folded). 



East Hartford, Hamner. 



GOMPHIDIUS Fr. 

 ydfitpoc, a peg. 



Gomphidius includes a small number of species which pos- 

 sess marked characteristics. The color of the spores, however, 

 is often misleading. Atkinson says, " The spores in some 

 species are blackish, and for. this reason the genus has been 

 placed by many with the black-spored Agarics, while its true 

 relationship is probably with the genus Hygro'phorus or Pax- 

 illus." 



When the plants are young, they are covered by a gluti- 



