White-spored Series 
Itis to the luminosity of these mycelial threads, which per- 
meate the decaying wood, that the weird phosphorescent light in 
dense woods is due. 
GEN US LE. PI OTA (See Pirate Facinc Pace 64) 
The members of this genus have the gills free from the stem, 
and have no wrapper remains at the base of the stem. In some 
species the cap or pileus has the surface scaly, owing to the rup- 
ture of the fibres which compose it. It is this feature which has 
suggested the name Lepofa, from the Latin word Jepis—a scale. 
There are about thirty 
species represented 
in the United States, 
of which a few are 
commonly eaten. 
Parasol Mush- 
room; Tall 
Lepiota (Edi- 
ble) 
Lepiota procera 
Cap or Pileus—Con- 
vex, like an open 
umbrella. Thin, 
umbonate, cov- 
ered with closely 
pressed scales. 
3-5 inches broad. 
Stem or Stipe—Long, 
hollow, or with 
cottony pith; 
bulbous at the 
base; usually 
covered with 
closely pressed 
scales. 5-10 
inches long. 
Vetl or Ring—Thick 
and firm ; often 
movable on the 
stem. Section of L. procera 
Lép-t-0'-t4 Prég'-€-r4 
63 
