50 
FETCH : 
The piieus varies from white to ochraceous, the number of 
gills is usually about eight, and the stalk may attain a length 
of 2 cms. It has the same black spot at the base of the 
umbilicus, and the same pellicle on the piieus. The leaves 
are overrun by black rhizomorphic mycelium identical with 
that on the trees, but the agarics, as a rule, arise from the 
internal tissues, not from the creeping mycelium. There can 
be no doubt that this is Marasmius equicrinis growing under 
more ordinary conditions. 
More common than the above, in the same situation, is 
another Marasmius which grows similarly on leaves overrun 
with mycelium indistinguishable from that of Marasmius 
equicrinis. This species is 2-4 cm. high ; its stalk is black and 
polished, and is about O’ 15-0 *2 mm. diameter. The piieus 
is 4 to 6 mm. in diameter, hemispherical, umbilicate, generally 
with a minute umbo at the base of the umbilicus, rough, 
radially sulcate with from eight to eighteen rays, yellow-brown, 
greyish-brown, or ashy. The gills are white or yellowish, 
eight to eighteen in number, distant, fairly broad, with the 
lower edge almost horizontal, and united behind into a collar 
round the apex of the stem. The spores are white, narrow- 
oval, 8-12 X 3-4 This agrees with the type specimens of 
Marasmius rotalis B. & Br., which, according to the original 
description, has a piieus with about twelve deep grooves, with 
sometimes a minute umbo at the base of the umbilicus. 
Berkeley and Broome describe it as “ pulverulent,” but the 
appearance is due to inequalities in the piieus and not to a 
superficial powder. The cotype at Peradeniya shows the same 
cord -like mycelium on the leaves, though the agarics arise 
from the internal tissue. Berkeley and Broome do not 
mention the collar, but they appear to have recognized its 
existence, since they state : “ This is M. rotula, var. fuscus, of 
the Cuban fungi.” Their identification of the Ceylon species 
with the Cuban one may, however, be doubted. 
Marasmius rotalis has a pellicle of the same structure as 
Marasmius equicrinis. In the form just described it differs 
from the latter species in its more numerous gills, more decided 
collar, and in the stouter, less membranous piieus, which in 
many instances resembles that of M. ramealis, appearing dry 
