134 Mas see . — A Revision of the 
Coprinus plicatilis , Fries, a small, ephemeral Fungus, having 
a membranaceous pileus about 1*5-2 cm. across, when ex- 
panded, has the widest range of any known species ; being 
common throughout Europe, also extending to South and 
West Africa, India, Ceylon, New Zealand, Tasmania, West 
Australia, United States, Japan, and Behring Straits. 
Coprinus comatus , C. atramentarius , C. niveus , and C. 
ephernerus are also widely distributed. 
Fungi belonging to the genus Coprinus are included in the 
figures of Japanese plants drawn by native artists, but the 
exact species cannot be determined with certainty. 
Habitats. 
Many species grow on dung or on richly manured ground, 
and are consequently most abundant in pastoral and agri- 
cultural districts, where they find a congenial home in farm- 
yards, on dung-hills, &c. Other species grow on decaying 
tree-trunks, or at the base of old gate-posts, and similar 
localities. One species — Coprinus radians — possessing well- 
marked characters, has hitherto been met with only on old 
damp plastered walls, where the mycelium radiates on every 
side for a distance of 2-4 cm. from the point of attachment. 
Finally, a Coprinus has, both in this country and on the 
continent, been found growing on the dressing of wounds, an 
occurrence no longer possible, thanks to the researches of 
Sir Joseph Lister. 
Classification. 
It may perhaps be considered superfluous to give descrip- 
tions of species that have been previously described. The 
following are my reasons for so doing ; and, furthermore, 
I consider these same reasons applicable in every instance 
where a genus has not been recently monographed. 
Until quite recently many authors have attached primary 
importance to one special feature in the discrimination of 
