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Genus Coprinus. 
In certain genera, as Hygrophorus and Russula , we meet with 
highly differentiated groups or bundles of laticiferous hyphae, 
containing hyaline or coloured latex, which in some species 
is sapid, in others intensely hot and acrid. The by-products 
of metabolism are utilized in the formation of brilliant colours, 
and bitter or acrid and often poisonous products. The spores 
as a rule are minute, and thus readily dispersed by wind. 
The features thus indicated as characteristic of the Leuco- 
sporae, appear in a less perfect and pronounced condition 
in the older groups, Rhodosporae and Ochrosporae. 
Finally, there is one feature of primary importance common 
to the whole of the Agaricineae, excepting the genus Coprinus ; 
namely, the dissemination of the spores by wind, and for the 
purpose of effecting this object the gills are persistent — not 
deliquescent at maturity — and the mature spores are liberated 
as a very fine, dry powder. 
Affinities. 
In the latest scheme of classification, propounded by 
Saccardo x , Coprinus occupies a central place in the Melano- 
sporae. This location, however, is exceedingly unsatisfactory, 
owing to the much higher standard of the features charac- 
terizing Copi'inus , as compared with those of the genera with 
which it is associated. A truer estimate of Coprinus was 
shown by Fries 1 2 , who placed it on a level with the genus 
Agaricus , as interpreted by him. 
As before noted, the species of Coprinus differ from the 
remainder of the Agaricineae in one important biological 
feature, — the deliquescence of the gills at maturity into 
a liquid which drips to the ground, carrying the mature 
spores along with it. This primitive and relatively imperfect 
mode of spore-dissemination, as compared with the minute, 
dry, wind-borne spores of the remainder of the Agaricineae, 
combined with other evidence to be noted later on, indicates 
1 Sylloge Fungorum, Vol. v, p. 1078 (1887). 
2 Hymenomy. Eur., p. 320 (1874). 
