HYGROPHORUS FOETENS. 
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calyptr ce formis, the pretty H. miniatus, and the remarkable glutinous 
H. unguinosus. 
Note on the Above. 
As the opinion expressed by Dr. Quelet, that the Hygrophorus 
foetens is the same as Agaricus atropunctus, Pers., seems to demand 
reconsideration, we offer these suggestions : — 
I. — Is the Agaricus known to Dr. Quelet under the name of 
atropunctus , the same as that so known in this country ? 
II. — If this he established, on what grouuds is the identity 
maintained ? 
The following differences must be reconciled : — Ag. atropunctus , 
P. (“ Journ. Bot.,” t. 161, f. 13), has flesh-coloured gills and pink 
spores. The Hygrophorus has pruinose brown (umber) gills, and 
white spores. 
The A. atropunctus is always without appreciable odour, whilst 
the Hygrophorus in all stages is foetid. 
The A. atropunctus has a pallid pileus, with a cinereous tinge, the 
Hygrophorus is of a decided warm-brown. In the latter, the 
pileus, when old, cracks concentrically, so as to resemble scales, 
whilst the former remains entire and without fissure. 
The stem in A. atropunctus is sprinkled with black punctate 
scales. That of Hygrophorus is quite smooth, only, when becom- 
ing old or dry, with a tendency to crack concentrically, so as to 
expose the paler flesh beneath the cuticle. 
The greater thickness of the gills in the Hygrophorus. 
The difference in the size of the spores, which are ’004 mm. in 
the one, and '005 or ’006 mm. in the other. 
The difference in habitat of the two species. 
Dr. Quelet says that our Ag. atropunctus is his Omphalia atro- 
puncta (junior), and the Hygrophorus is his Omphalia atropuncta 
(vetustior). But as the youngest specimens of the Hygrophorus 
have the colour and all the features of the mature plants, and not 
the colour or punctae of the Ag. atropunctus (although some hun- 
dreds have been collected this year), that objection will not hold. 
The difference in colour Dr Quelet attributes to different 
meteorological conditions which accounts for “ the variable colour 
— pale yellow, grey, bistre-brown.” This would entirely revolu- 
tionize our ideas of classification, if true that it means white spores 
or rosy spores are dependent on meteorological conditions ; as to 
the colour of the plant itself (the pileus and stem), we admit vari- 
ation within reasonable limits. This variation, however, should be 
discussed in its relationship to same undisputed plant, and not 
brought forward as a plea for two species so different as the above. 
There are some much more important distinctions to be accounted 
for before we can accept the two species as identical. 
If the colour of the spores in Agaricini is as mutable as Dr. 
Quelet would have us believe, then the whole classification of the 
Hymenomycetes rests on a false basis, and must be swept away. At 
