36 BULLETIN 175 ; U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Coprinus comatus. Shaggy mane. (Edible.) 



Cap oblong, bell shaped, not fully expanding, fleshy at center, moist, cuticle separat- 

 ing into scales that are sometimes white, sometimes yellowish or darker, and show the 

 white flesh beneath, splitting from the margin along the lines of the gills; gills broad, 

 crowded, free, white, soon becoming pink or salmon colored and changing to purplish 

 black just previous to deliquescence; stem brittle, smooth or fibrillose, hollow, thick, 

 attenuated upward, sometimes slightly bulbous at base, easily separating from the 

 cap; ring thin, movable. 



Cap usually 1| to 3 inches long; stem 2 to 4 inches long, 4 to 6 lines thick. (PI. 

 XXII, fig. 2.) 



This species has a wide geographical distribution and is universally enjoyed by 

 mycophagists. The fimgus is very attractive when young, often white, again showing 

 gray, tawny, or pinkish tints. It appears in the spring and fall, sometimes solitary, 

 sometimes in groups, on lawns, in rich soil, or in gardens. 



Coprinus fimetarius. 



Cap at first cylindrical, later conical to expanded, margin splitting, revolute or up- 

 turned, grayish to bluish black, surface at first covered with white scales, finally 

 smooth; gills black, narrow; stem fragile, white, squamulose, hollow, but solid and 

 bulbous at the base. 

 Cap 1 inch or more across, stem 3 or more inches high. (PI. XXIX, fig. 1.) 

 This is a very common and abundant species on manure or rich soil and occurs 

 from spring to winter. It is edible and considered excellent. 



Coprinus micaceus. Mica inky cap. 



Cap ovate, bell shaped, light tan to brown, darker when moist or old, often glistening 

 from minute, micalike scales, margin closely striate, splitting, and revolute; gills 

 narrow, crowded, white, then pink before becoming black; stem slender, white, 

 hollow, fragile, often twisted. 



Cap 1 to 2 inches broad; stem 2 to 4 inches long and 2 to 3 lines thick. (PL XXX, 

 fig. 1; from Geological and Natural History Survey of Connecticut.) 



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. 



PSATHYRELLA. 



The species comprising the genus Psathyrella are all fragile, having 

 thin membranaceous, striate caps. When young the margin of the 

 cap lies against the stem, but never extends beyond the gills, which 

 are sooty black and not mottled like those of Panaeolus. 



Psathyrella disseminata. (Edible.) 



Cap thin, oval to bell shaped, yellowish, gray or grayish brown, minutely scaly, 

 becoming smooth, sulcate or plicate, margin entire; gills broad, adnate, white, then 

 gray, later black; stem hollow, slender, fragile. 



Cap about one-half inch broad; stem 1 to 1J inches long, 1 to 1£ lines thick. (PI. 

 XXIX, fig. 2; source of photograph unknown.) 



This is a delicate little species, appearing on decaying wood or about old roots of 

 trees. It occurs from May until frost, often intermittently from the same center. 

 The species is edible, but has too little substance to render it a popular article of diet. 



