Alas see . — A Revision of the 
136 
Key to the species of C opr inns . 
Section I. 
Volva distinct , with a free margin ; ring present or absent. 
1-12 1 . 
(The volva is in all cases more or less free from the base 
of the stem, and when the margin of the volva is persistent 
the ring is absent ; in other words, the ring in all cases, when 
present, consists of the free margin of the volva, which breaks 
away, and is often carried away from the base with the elon- 
gating stem. No known species of Coprinus has a secondary 
veil, from which a true ring or annulus is formed.) 
* Large ; pileus always more than 2 cm. high and wide. 
1-6. 
f Stem white. 1-4. 
ft Stem coloured. 5-6. 
** Small ; pileus always less than 2 cm. high and wide. 
7-12. 
f Volva entire. 7-10. 
ft Volva torn into shreds. 11-12. 
Section II. 
Volva absent , ring present on the stem. 13-25. 
(The statement that the volva is absent is morphologically 
inaccurate ; it is present, but closely adnate to the stem 
which elongates much at the basal portion, the ring eventually 
occupying a more or less median position on the stem, 
the portion below the ring being in reality sheathed by the 
delicate volva — or peronate, as it is usually termed. This 
is sometimes very evident.) 
* Large; pileus 8-15 cm. high. 13-17. 
** Small ; pileus never exceeding 3 cm. in height. 
1 8-25. 
1 The figures correspond to the numbers preceding the names of species in the 
descriptive portion. 
