SOME COMMON MUSHROOMS AND HOW TO KNOW THEM Al 
yellowish or darker, and show the white flesh beneath, splitting from. the 
margin along the lines of the gills; the gills are broad, crowded, free, white, 
soon becoming pink or salmon colored and changing to purplish black just 
previous to deliquescence; the stem is brittle, smooth or fibrillose, hollow, 
thick, attenuated upward, sometimes slightly bulbous at base, easily separating 
from the cap; the ring is thin, movable. 
The cap is usually 114 to 8 inches long; the stem is 2 to 4 inches long and 
4 to 6 lines thick. 
This species has a wide geographic distribution and is universally enjoyed 
by mycophagists. The fungus is very attractive when young, often white, 
again showing gray, 
tawny, or pinkish tints. 
It appears in the spring 
and fall, sometimes soli- 
tary, Sometimes in 
groups, on lawns, in rich 
soil, or in gardens. 
COPRINUS ATRAMENTARI- 
US. INKY CAP. (EDIBLE) 
(Fig. 38) 
In this mushroom the 
cap is ovate, slightly ex- 
panding, silvery to dark 
gray or brownish, 
smooth, silky or with 
small scales, especially 
at the center, often pli- 
cate and lobed with 
notched margin; the 
gills are broad, ventri- 
cose, crowded, free, 
white, soon changing to 
pinkish gray, then be- 
coming black and deli- 
quescent; the stem is 
smooth, shining, whitish, 
hollow, attenuated up- 
ward, readily separating 
j LOA es 
Fn eerie FIGURE 38.—Coprinus Se oaiae (smooth form). 
evanescent. 
The cap is 114 to 4 inches broad; the stem is 2 to 4 inches long and 4 to 7 
lines thick. 
This species appears from spring to autumn, particularly after rains. It 
grows singly or in dense clusters on rich ground, lawns, gardens, or waste 
places. It has long been esteemed as an edible species. Coprinus atramen- 
tarius differs from C. comatus in the more or less smooth, oval cap and the 
imperfect, basal, evanescent ring. 
COPRINUS MICACEUS. MICA INKY CAP. (EDIBLE) 
In this species the cap is ovate, bell-shaped, light tan to brown, darker when 
moist or old, often glistening from minute, micalike particles, margin closely 
striate, splitting, and revolute; the gills are narrow, crowded, white, then pink 
before becoming black; steni is slender, white, hollow, fragile, often twisted. 
Fee cap is 1 to 2 inches broad; the stem is 2 to 4 inches long and 2 to 8 lines 
ick. 
This glistening little species occurs very commonly at the base of trees or 
springing from dead roots along pavements, or more uncommonly on prostrate 
logs in shady woods. The plants appear in great profusion in the spring and 
early summer, and more sparingly during the fall. Coprinus micaceus is a very 
delicious mushroom and lends itself to various methods of preparation. 
