The tribe Volvse is divided artificially, according to the color of the spores.* 
Genus I. — Amanita. 
Spores white. 
This is our largest genus of this tribe, of which 38 species are recorded in the U. S. 
Genus 2.— Volvaria. 
Spores pink. 
A small genus, only twelve species being recorded in the U. S. 
Genus 3.— Locellinia.t 
Spores ochraceous or ferruginous 
A small genus not recorded in the U. S. 
Genus 4.— Cliitonia. 
Spores fuscous-purple. 
Not recorded in the U. S. 
There are no black spores species of the tribe Volvic known. 
AMANITA. 
The genus Amanita is a large family, about seventy-five species being known. 
The characters are those of the tribe Volvse with white spores. Amanitas are all 
terrestrial plants—and mostly solitary in their habits. They are generally med¬ 
ium sized or large, frequently bright colored, and are conspicuous in the woods. 
There have been two important publications on the Amanitas of the U. S. 
First, by Prof. Morgan, (In the Journal of Mycology, Vol. 3, 1887,) a compilation 
of the known species (28) at that time. Second, by Prof. Peck, (33rd Report, 
1880), description of 14 New York species. 
Forty-two species of Amanita have by various authors been ascribed to 
this country. 
Of these, five are common, vizcaesarea, plialloides, muscaria, rubescens 
and vaginata, and will be met probably by every student. 
Nine or less frequent—but their occurance well authenticated, viz : —sperta, 
virosa, pantherina, Frostiana, excelsa, solitaria, strobiliformis, volvata and 
farinosa. 
Nine European species reported need further confirmation, viz: —recutita, 
mappa, spissa, nitida, aspera, lenticularis, adnata, nivalis, strangulata. 
Four are either varieties, or are too poorly described to be recognized, viz : — 
pellucidula, verna, soleata and onusta. 
The remaining fifteen, many described from dried specimens have not been 
otherwise recorded than by the original author. 
The genus is easily divided into two subgenera, viz :— 
Ring present. Subgenus, Amanita, (typical.) 
Ring none. Subgenus, Amanitopsis. 
SUBGENUS AMANITA (Typical.) 
The species are naturally divided into five sections by the character of the 
separation of the volva, at the base of the stipe. For illustrations and further 
remarks see under each section. 
Section 1.—Limb of volva free. 
Section 2.—AYlva definitely circumscissile. 
Section 3.—Volva irregularly circumscissile. 
Section 4.—Volva friable. 
Section 5.—A'olva rudimentary. 
*To find the color of the spores, break off the pileus of the fresh agaric, and lay it gills down 
on a sheet of white paper. After a few hours, a deposit of spores will be found on the paper 
from which the color can be readily determined. 
fin several English works this genus is called Acetabularia, and it is to be regreted that it 
hail to be discarded, (on strict grounds of priority) as it was taken from the specific name of the 
only species of the genus known for many years. 
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