THE LuE3THER T. MERTZ LIBRARY THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN j'.A |«^ M-. , ^ ~, fc^VvJ '( "s i ^^illiiii/^ :=^?»>4 THE MUSHROOM BOOK Amanitopsis parcivolvata, Pk. See page 55. THE HEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN THE MUSHROOM . A POPULAR GUIDE TO THE IDENTIFICATION AND STUDY OF OUR COxMMONER FUNGI, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE EDIBLE VARIETIES BY NINA L. MARSHALL WITH MANY ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOR AND BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHED FROM NATURE BY J. A. & H. C. ANDERSON Garden City New York DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY 1920 Copyright, 190T, 1904, by Doubleday, Page & CompaQjr COHRINUS COMATUS Courtesy of Agricultural Experiment Station, Corne", See pag« 90 PREFACE The author of this book makes no claim to the discovery of the facts presented. The ma- terial has all been drawn from monographs written by men who have made specialties of the different divisions of fungi. A list of works consulted is ffiven at the close of this book. The plates are reproductions of photographs made by Mr. J. A. Anderson, and coloured by Miss H. C. Anderson. They are as true to nature as it is possible to make them with the best meth- ods of reproduction now known, and by them alone an acquaint- ance with many species may be acquired. Many of the cuts have been redrawn by the author from vari- ous reliable sources, and manv have been drawn directlv from nature. With a few exceptions, the line drawings of sections were made from the specimens photographed. It has been the aim of the author to write a book simple enough to serve as a source of knowledge for the many who, though busy with other pursuits, yet take an in- terest in science and wish to obtain information about the fungi, either for the sake of Coprinus comatus using them as food, or for the courtesy ofA^ricultural Experiment station. ComeU y See page 90 Preface pleasure which an acquaintance with their habits and home life may give. A great effort has been made not to sacrifice accuracy in this attempt. The number of species of the fungi is so great that to de- scribe them all would necessitate a hock of huge dimensions, so that it has seemed best simply to give a general idea of the characteristics upon which the larger groups, the classes, orders, and genera, are based, by describing some of the species in each. Seven genera of, the Spore-sac Fungi are illustrated with ten species, and thirty-five genera of the Basidiomycetes with seventy-three species, making a total of eighty-three species represented by photographs in colour and half-tone. In addition a number of species are given in rough pen drawings, with sufficient accuracy for identification, and many species have been described without illustration. An effort has been made (O describe the species in terms intelligible to the average reader without constant reference to an unabridged dictionary, and, whenever possible, the terms have been illustrated by line cuts. Although the technical names necessarily used are a serious hindrance to the popularization of the study of fungi, it has seemed best, in most cases, to give only the Latin form of the names of species, since, by so doing, there will be less danger of confusing harmless species with those which are harmful; and, also, if their Latin names are adhered to, one will find it much simpler to consult the scattered literature on this subject, as this nomenclature is used by all naturalists of whatever nationality. That the pronunciation of names may be rendered as simple as possible, each vowel has been marked long or short. These vowel-marks are not necessarily indicative of the true syllabic quantity, but are rather diacritical points denoting the popular pronunciation by the English system. Each word has been divided into syllables according to the accepted rules, and an accent has been placed on the syllables to be accented. The author is under deep obligations to Professor Lucien M, Underwood, of Columbia University, for aid and encouragement in the work of this book, and for his cheerful willingness at all times to assist in the search for material and in the work of revising proof. VI Preface Thanks are also due to Professor Charles H. Peck, the New York State Botanist, for his kind assistance in identifying many of the specimens illustrated. A list of books consulted has been placed at the end of the book, for the benefit of those who may wish to pursue the study further. VII Coprinus comatus. Couriesy of Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University. See pape 90 CONTENTS CHAPTER I : The Homes and Habits of Fungi CHAPTER II : The Relation of Fungi to Other Plants CHAPTER III : From Spore to Mushroom CHAPTER IV : The Key .... What a key is, and why a name is desirable How a key for fungi is made, and why it is desirable ..... The Key ..... CHAPTER V : Fungi with Gills . I. white-spored series Genus Amanita . Death Cup; Poison Amanita Fly Amanita . Orange Amanita . Comparison of Three Yellow Amanitas Genus Cantharellus Cantharellus floccosus . Genus Amanitopsis The Sheathed Amanitopsis Amanitopsis parcivolvata Genus Mycena Mycena haematopoda Genus Lent in us . Scaly Lentinus Genus Pleurotus . Oyster Mushroom Pleurotus sapidus Elm Pleurotus Genus Hygrophorus Chanterelle Hygrophorus ix Page I 5 1 1 15 15 •5 17 46 46 48 49 50 ^^ 53 53 S3 54 5S ss 55 56 s6 =^7 57 58 S8 =^9 Contents Verniiljon Hygrophorus Ivory Hygrophorus Genus Armillaria Honey-coloured Armillaria Genus Lepiota Parasol Mushroom; Tall Lepiota Smooth Lepiota Lepiota Friesii Genus Marasmius Fairy-ring Mushroom Genus Collybia Collybia familia Genus Panus Genus Trogia Genus Schi:{Ophyllum . Genus Omphalia . Genus Russula . Emetic Russula Green Russula; Verdette Variable Russula . Genus Cliiocybe . Clitocybe laccata . Clitocybe virens . Genus Tricholoiua Masked Tricholoma Craterellus cantharellus . 2. BROWN-SPORED SERIES Genus Agaricus . Comparison of Eight Agarici Common Mushroom Rodman's Mushroom . Agaricus abruptus Genus Hypholoina Perplexing Hypholoma . Comparison of Six Hypholomas Uncertain Hypholoma . Hypholoma sublateritium Genus Stropharia Contetits Page Genus Psathyra . 82 Genus Psilocybe . 82 Genus Pilosace . 82 Genus Deconica . 82 Genus Chitonia . 83 ). RUSTY-SPORED SERIES Genus Pholioia . 83 Fat Pholiota . 83 Early Pholiota . 84 Pholiota aggericola .... . 84 Genus Cortinarius . 85 Cortinarius alboviolaceus . 86 4. PINK-SPORED SERIES Genus Pluteus . 87 Fawn-coloured Pluteus .... . 87 Genus Entoloma . 88 Genus Eccilia . 88 Genus Volvaria . 88 Genus Clitopilus . 88 5. BLACK-SPORED SERIES Genus Coprinus . 89 Ink Caps . 89 Shaggy-mane; Horsetail; Maned Agaric . 90 Inky Coprinus • 91 Glistening Coprinus .... . 91 Genus Gomphidius . 92 Genus Psathyrella . 92 Genus Pam^olus . 92 6. FUNGI WITH MILKY JUICE Genus Lactarius . 92 Peppery Lactarius . 92 Lactarius ligniotus • 93 CHAPTER VI : Fungi with Teeth— Hydnace^ • 94 Genus Hydnum • 93 Spreading Hydnum .... • 9S White Hydnum • 95 XI Contents Hydnum imbricatum Bear's-head Hydnum Medusa's Head Hedgehog Hydnum Coral Hydnum CHAPTER VII : Fairy Clubs and VARIACE/€ . Genus Physalacria Genus Pisiillaria . Genus Typhula . Genus Sparassis . Genus Pterula Genus Lachnocladium . Genus Clavaria . Pale Yellow Clavaria Golden Clavaria Red-tipped Clavaria Crested Clavaria . Pistil Clavaria ; Large Clavaria fellea Clavaria formosa . Club CHAPTER VIII : Fungi with Pores PORACEyH Boletacece . Genus Fistulina . Genus Boletinus . Painted Boletinus Genus Boletus Boletus glabellus Boletus bicolor Boletus cyanescens Boletus pallidus Boletus mutabilis . Boletus speciosus . Golden-flesh Boletus Boletus radicans . Boletus Peckii Boletus calopus xii Coral Fungi — Cla -BOLETACEyE ; POLY- Page 96 96 97 97 97 98 98 98 98 99 99 99 99 99 100 100 100 lOI lOI lOI 102 102 102 103 103 104 104 105 105 105 105 105 106 106 106 106 Contents Purple Boletus Boletus Satanus Bitter Boletus Boletus scaber Orange-cap Boletus Chestnut Boletus . Boletus eximius Edible Boletus Boletus subtomentosus Boletus Americanus Polyporacece .... Genus Menilius . Genus Polyponts . Polyporus applanatus Polyporus fomentarius Polyporus conchatus Polyporus velutinus Polyporus pergamenus Polyporus perennis Polyporus sulphureus Polyporus sqiiamosus Polyporus lucidus . Polyporus arcularius Polyporus versicolor Polyporus circinatus Genus Trametes . Genus Len\ites Lenzites betulina Lenzites separia Genus Dcedalea . Dcedalea unicolor Daedalea confragosa Daedalea quercina . Genus Favolus CHAPTER IX : Gf.latinous and Other Fungi Jew's Ear, or Judas's Ear Tremellodon Guepina xiii Page 107 107 107 108 [O8 108 108 109 109 [O9 [O9 10 10 10 10 1 1 1 1 1 1 n 1 1 \2 12 \2 12 13 ! 3 13 I ? 14 '4 14 14 '4 1=) 16 16 16 16 Contents CHAPTER X : Offensive Fungi — Order Phallales Genus Ph all its Stinkhorns Phallus impudicus Genus Dictyophora Dictyophora Ravenelii Dictyophora duplicata Mutinus caninus . Family Clathracece . Latticed Clathrus . Clathrus columnatus Anthurus borealis . Simblum rubescens CHAPTER X! : Puffballs Order Lycoperdales Genus Ly coper don Pear-shaped Puffball Pinkish Puffball . Genus Calvaiia . Brain-shaped Calvatia Giant Puffball Cup-shaped Puffball Genus B ovist a Genus Bovistella . Bovistella Ohiensis Genus G easier Earth-stars The Smallest Earth-star Water-measuring Earth-star Genus Calostoma Calostoma lutescens Calostoma Ravenelii Calostoma cinnabarinum Order Nidulariales Genus Sphcerobolus Genus Nidularia Genus Cyathus . Genus Crucibulum XIV Page 117 117 117 119 120 120 120 120 121 121 121 121 122 123 123 124 125 125 126 126 127 128 128 129 129 129 129 130 130 132 132 132 '33 •33 ^33 ^33 ^33 Contents gttes Order Sclerodermatales Genus Scleroderma Scleroderma vulgare CHAPTER XII : Spore-sac Fungi— Ascomycetes Order Tuber ales — Truffles . Order Hypocreales Genus Xylaria Order Spha^riales Order Pe;(_t\ales — Cup-fungi Peziza odorata Golden Peziza Order Helvellales Family Geoglossacece — Earth Ton Genus Spathularia Velvety Spathularia Spathularia clavata Genius Geoglossum Geoglossum hirsutum Geoglossum glabrum Genus yibrissea . Vibrissea truncorum Vibrissea circinans Genus Mitrula Irregular Mitrula . Family Helvellacece — Morels Genus Gyromitra . Gyromitra esculenta Genus Morchella . Genus Helve lla Helvella elastica Helvella lacunosa . CHAPTER XIII : Slime Fungi— Myxomycetes CHAPTER XIV : Fungi for the Herbarium Collector's notes . Collector's outfit . Care of specimens Collecting spores The search for a name Page U4 135 '35 136 136 136 137 «37 138 138 138 138 138 «39 •39 139 139 >39 139 140 140 140 140 141 141 141 142 142 143 144 145 145 147 147 •47 149 XV Contents The preparation of rough-dried plants for the herbarium Mounting Sections ..... Poisoning herbarium specimens . CHAPTER XV : Fungi for the Table Cautions for the inexperienced . The food value of fungi To keep mushrooms temporarily To prepare the edible agarics for cooking To toast agarics . To bake agarics . To broil agarics . Mushrooms stewed To prepare russulas To prepare fungi with milky juice Lactarius deliciosus Lactarius volemus To prepare amanitas . To prepare chanterelles To fry chanterelles To prepare coprini — ink caps To prepare boleti To prepare Hydnum repandum To prepare morels To prepare beefsteak fungus For salad Minced To prepare gyromitras To prepare woody pore-bearing fungi — Polyporas To prepare clavarias and branched hvdnum To cook clavarias To prepare puffballs . To cook puffballs To cook the giant puffball . Puffball salad List of Authorities Consulted Abbreviations of Names of Botanists with Explanations Index and Glossary Pagb 149 149 50 50 5J 5' 52 53 53 53 53 53 53 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 55 55 55 55 55 55 S5 55 55 55 55 57 59 161 XVI UST OF PLATES Plate I. Amanitopsis parcivolvata, Pk, (see p. S5) Frontispiece Facing Pagb II. Death Cup; Poison Amanita (Amanita phalloides, Fr.) 48 III. Fly Amanita (Amanita muscaria, L.), poisonous . 49 IV. Orange Amanita (Amanita Caesarea, Scop.), edible . 50 V. Strangled Amanitopsis (Amanitopsis strangulata, Fr. Roze), edible 53 VI. Sheathed Amanitopsis (Amanitopsis vaginata, Roze), edible 54 VII. Helmet Mycena (Mycena galericulata, Scop.), edible 56 VIII. Scaly Lentinus (Lentinus lepideus, Fr.), edible . 57 IX. Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus, Fr.), edible (see p. 57) 59 X. Golden-flesh Boletus (Boletus chrysenteron, Fr.) (see p. 106) 60 Vermilion Hygrophorus (Hygrophorus miniatus, Fr.), edible . 60 Chantarelle Hygrophorus (Hygrophorus cantharellus, Schw.), edible (see p. 59) . . . . 60 XI. Fat Pholiota (Pholiota adiposa, Fr.), edible (see p. 83) 61 Honey-coloured Armillaria (Armillaria mellea, Vahl.), edible 61 XII. Grainy Lepiota (Lepiota granosa, Morg.), . . 63 XIII. Smooth Lepiota (Lepiota naucinoides, Pk.), edible 64 Parasol Mushroom (Lepiota procera. Scop.), edible (see p. 63) 64 XIV. Lepiota Friesii, Lasch 65 Cortinarius alboviolaceus, Fr. (see p. 86) . . 65 xvii List of Plates Flatb facing Pagh XV. Spotted Collybia (Collybia maculata, A. and S.) 66 Broad-gilled Collybia (Collybia platyphylla, Fr.) 66 XVI. Collybia familia, Pk. (edible) .... 67 Clitocybe laccata, Scop., edible (see p. 70) . 67 XVll. Emetic Russula (Russula emetica, Schaeff.), (dangerous) 68 XVIII. Green Russula (Russula virescens, Fr.), edible . 69 XIX. Deceiving Clitocybe (Clitocybe illudens, Schw.) 70 XX. Clitocybe virens, Scop, (edible) . . . .71 XXI. Masked Tricholoma (Tricholoma personatum, Fr. ; var. bulbosum, Pk.), edible ... 72 XXII. Pholiota aggericola, Peck (see p. 84) ... 73 Craterellus cantharellus, Schw. (edible) . . 73 XXIII. Agaricus campestris, L., edible (see p. 76) , 74 Agaricus abruptus, Pk. (edible) .... 74 XXIV. Field Mushroom (Agaricus campestris, L.), edible (uncultivated) 75 XXV. Rodman's Mushroom (Agaricus Rodmani, Pk.), young 76 Rodman's Mushroom (mature) .... 76 XXVI. Agaricus abruptus, Pk. (edible) .... 77 XXVII. Perplexing Hypholoma (Hypholoma perplexum, Pk.), harmless 78 XXVIII. Uncertain Hypholoma (Hypholoma incertum, Pk.), edible ,80 XXIX. Brick Top (Hypholoma sublateritium, Schaeff.), edible 81 XXX. Ivory Hygrophorus (Hygrophorus eburneus, Fr.), edible (see p. 61) 84 Early Pholiota (Pholiota praecox, Pers.), edible . 84 XXXI. Dog Cortinarius (Cortinarius caninus, Fr.) . . 85 XXXII. Zoned Cortinarius (Cortinarius armillatus, A. and S., Fr.) ....... 86 xviii List of Plates Plate Facing Page XXXIII. Fawn-coloured Pluteus (Pluteus cervinus, Schaeff.), edible . ... . ,88 XXXIV. Inky Coprinus (Coprinusatramentarius, Fr.; var. silvestris, Pk.), edible (see p. 91) . .89 XXXV. Inky Coprinus (Coprinus atramentarius, Fr.), edible ....... 90 XXXVI. Mycenah^ematopoda, Pers. (seep. 55) . . 92 Lactarius ligniotus, Fr. .... 92 XXXVI 1. Peppery Lactarius (Lactarius piperatus, Scop.), edible ....... 93 XXXVI 11. Bear's-head (Hydnum caput-ursi, Fr.), edible . 96 XXX IX. Coral Hydnum (Hydnum coralloides, Scop.), edible 97 XL. Little Tongue Clavaria (Clavaria ligula, Fr.) . 98 XLI. Golden Clavaria (Clavaria aurea, Schaeff.), edible . . . . . . .100 XLI I. Clavaria formosa, Pers., edible . . .104 XLI 1 1. Cone-like Boletus (Strobilomyces strobilaceus. Berk.) 104 XLVI. Painted Boletinus (Boletinus pictus, Pk.), edible 105 Spreading Hydnum (Hydnum repandum, L.), edible (see p. 95) 105 XLV. Bitter Boletus (Boletus felleus, Bull.; var. obesus, Pk.) ....... 107 XLIV. Scabrous-stemmed Boletus (Boletus scaber, Fr.; var. niveus, Gill.) 108 XLVI I. Tinder-wood Polyporus (Elfmgia fomentaria, L., Fomes fomentarius, Gill., Polyporus fomen- tarius, Fr.) no XLVI II. Polyporus versicolor, Fr, . . . .112 Polyporus circinatus, Fr. (seep, 113) . . 112 XLIX. Lenzites betulina, Fr. . . . . . i'3 L. D^edalea quercina, L., Pers. . , , .114 LI. Jew's Ear (Hirneola auricula-Judae), L., Berk. . 116 xix List of Plates Plate Facing Page LI. Xylaria (see p. 136) .116 LI I. Phallus impudicus, L. . . . . . .119 LI 11. Pear-shaped Puff ball (Lycoperdon pyriforme, Schaeff.), edible 124 LIV. Brain Puffball (Calvatia craniformis, Schw.), edible 126 LV. Bovistella Ohiensis (Ellis and Morgan), edible (see p. 129) . . . . . . .129 Cup-shaped Calvatia (Calvatia cyathiformis, Bosc), edible . . . . . , . .129 LVl. Calostoma Ravenelli, Berk., Mass. . . .130 Calostoma lutescens, Schv/., Burnap . . .130 Calostoma cinnabarinum, Desv. . . . .130 Spathularia velutipes, C. and F. (see p. 138) . . 130 LVll. Least Earth-star (Geaster minimus, Schw.) . .130 Water-measuring Earth-star (Geaster hygromet- ricus, Pers.) . . . . . -132 Bird's Nest (Cyathus vernicosus, D. C.) (see p. 133) ....... 132 LVIIL Flesh-coloured Puffball (Lycoperdon subincar- natum, Pk.), edible (see p. 125) . . . 135 Young Pear-shaped Puffball (L)'coperdon pyri- forme, Schaeff.), edible (see p. 125) . . 135 Hard-skinned Puffball (Scleroderma vulgare, Fr.) 135 LIX. Cordyceps capitala (Holmsk., Lk.), parasitic on Elaphomyces . . . . . .136 Lycogola epidendron (see p. 144) . . . .136 Floccose Chanterelle (Cantharellus floccosus, Schw.), edible (see p. 53) . . . .136 Mutinus caninus, Huds. (seep. 120) . . .136 LX. Slippery Leotia (Leotia lubrica), edible . . . 137 Jelly-like Tremellodon (Tremellodon gelatinosum) 137 LXI. Golden Peziza (Peziza aurantia, Pers.), edible . 138 XX Platb LXl. Peziza odorata, Pk., edible (see p. 137) I.XIl, Helvella elastica, Bull, (see p. 142) Helvella lacunosa, Holm, (see p. 143) . Mitrula vitellina, Sacc, var. irregularis, Pk. LXIII. Delicious Morel (Morchella deliciosa, Fr.), edible Polyporus arcularius, Batsch, Fr. (see p. 112) LXIV. Bristly Panus (Panus strigosus, B. and C.) (see p. 67). 145 List of Plates Facing Page • • 138 • • 140 • • 140 • 140 dible . 142 2) . 142 X3ft LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IN TEXT Coprinus comatus, Fr. (old) Coprinus comatus, Fr. (mature) . Coprinus comatus, Fr. (young) . Pufifball Corollas and honey, attractive to insects Ingenious stamens .... Pistil of violet Seed-box of iris Pistil of St. Johnswort Seed-box of sacred bean Winged seed of the silver fir Fern with spores (Polypodium vulgare) Grass spikelet Liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha) . Bean seed to show embryo Indian pipe Moss (Dicranum scoparium) (natural size) White mould on dead fly . Spores borne in delicate membranous sacs Bread mould Spores borne on little spicules . Spores as simple cells Spores divided into several cells Mycelial threads .... Mushroom buttons .... Young mushroom .... Puffball Pagi i V viii 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 8 8 9, 17 9 9. 17 I I t II (I J2 XX J n List of Illustrations in Text Mushroom to show veil ..... Mushroom to show cap, ring, gills, and stem Mushroom to show veil on stem and cap . Section across gill (magnified) .... A small portion of section of gill (highly magnified) Corn smut Leaf rust on Hepatica triloba .... Pouch-fungus, section to show spores in hollow rind Section to show gills Section of a Boletus, to show pores . Clavaria with spores on spines .... Section of Hydnum, to show teeth Section of stroma with perithecia (magnified) Perithecium (highly magnified) .... Outer surface of truffle Section of truffle Fleshy cup-like fungi Club-shaped fungus Conic, convex, and pitted fungus Fungus with gyrose furrows .... Saddle-shaped fungus Fungus with spore surface flat, running down the sid Fungus with gills Fungus with pores Fungus with spines Calostoma Geaster Nidularia . Clathrus cancellatus Simblum rubescens Anthurus borealis Mutinus Phallus impudicus 24, XX iv es 24, 24. 24, Page 12 12 12 12 I), 22 !3, 22 14 14 4, 102 14 14 18 18 18 18 19, 20 19, 21 19-21 19. 20 19, 20 21 22, 30 23, 42 . 23 23, 29 23, 2S 2), 24 26, 121 26, 122 26, 12 1 . 27 27, 119 List of Illustrations in Text Embryo plant of Mutinus caninus Scleroderma vulgare . Section of Scleroderma vulgare Mutinus caninus, young plant; embryo pi Bovista Section of Bovista (diagrammatic) Calvatia Section of Calvatia Geaster Lycoperdon Section of Lycoperdon (diagrammatic Bovistella . Section of Bovistella Clavaria Section of Hydnum Cap of Hydnum imbricatum Cap with striations on the margin Bracket fungus . Resupinate fungus Boletus Satanus . Polyporus quercina Pleurotus, stem central Pleurotus, stem eccentric . Pleurotus, stem wanting Gills toothed, Lentinus Lamellae entire . Stem eccentric . Lamellae simple . Fungus with volva and annulus Volva, but no annulus Annulus, but no volva Lamellae free from stem Annulus movable nt Page 24> 120 • 25 25. '34 • 120 28, 128 28, 128 28, 126 28, 126 • 28 • 29 29. 124 • 29 29. 129 • 30 • 30 30 ,96 , 40 . 50 31 31 31 3' 32 32 32 3^ 33 33 33 34 34 34 34, 3^ • 34 XXV List of Illustrations in Text Lamellae united with stem . Lamellae decurrent Lamellae adnate .... Lamellae sinuate Volva wanting; annulus wanting Lamellae in shallow folds . Volva present; annulus wanting Volva none; annulus none. Annulus arachnoid Lamellae adnate Veil remaining on stem as annulus Volva none .... Veil attached to margin of pileus Lamellae deliquescent Spores fusiform .... Spores globose .... Hydnum with central stem Branched Hydnum Lamellae labyrinthine, woody Lamellae radial, woody Pores long-hexagonal Pores in the form of tubes, stem lateral Pores in the form of tubes, stem central Section of young Amanita in wrapper Young Amanita in wrapper Young Amanita in ruptured wrapper Section of Amanita muscaria Cap striate, and free from warts . Section of Amanita Caesarea Young plant of Amanita Caesarea Section of Cantharellus floccosus Section of Amanitopsis vaginata Section of Amanitopsis parcivolvata 35. Page • 34 37. 39. 40 35. 37. 39 35 35 3^ 37 37 38 38 39 39 39 40 40 40 41 41 43 43 43 44 44 47 47 47 47 50 50 50 53 54 55 JtXVl List of Illustrations in 'Text Page Section of Lentinus lepideus . 36 Section of Fleurotus ostreatus . 57 Section of Pleurotus sapidus . 58 Section of Pleurotus ulmarius • 59 Section of Hygrophorus miniatus . 60 Section of Hygrophorus eburneus . 61 Section of Armillaria mellea , 62 Section of Lepiota procera . 63 Section of Lepiota naucinoides . 64 Section of Collybia familia . 67 Section of Russula emetica . 68 Section of Russula virescens . 69 Section of Clitocybe laccata . 7« Section of Tricholoma personatum (var. bulbosum) . . 72 Section of Craterellus cantharellus .... . 73 Section of Agaricus Rodman! . 76 Section of Agaricus abruptus . 77 Section of Hypholoma perplexum .... • 79 Section of Hypholoma incertum .... . 80 Section of Hypholoma sublateritium .... . 81 Section of Pholiota adiposa ■ 83 Section of Pholiota praecox . 84 Section of Cortinarius violaceus . 86 Section of Pluteus cervinus . 87 Section of Lactarius piperatus ' 93 Section of Hydnum repandum • 95 Section of Hydnum caput-ursi . 96 Boletus Satanus 107 Under surface of Lenzites betulina >'3 Favolus areolarius . MS Section of young phallus . 119 Mutinus bambusinus . 120 Lycoperdon . 124 xxvn List of Illustrations in Text Section of Lycoperdon (diagrammatic) Asci and paraphyses .... Section of truffle to siiow position of asci Truffle, ascoma .... Fungus growing on caterpillar . Section of Peziza odorata to show two layers Gyromitra esculenta .... Morchella esculenta .... Section of Morchella deliciosa Helvella Helvella lacunosa (diagrammatic) Pagr !24 >35 U6 U7 141 141 141 142 143 XXVlll THE MUSHROOM BOOK CHAPTER I : THE HOMES AND HABITS OF FUNGI For centuries epicures have used certain fungi for food. The Greeks and Romans esteemed them highly, and gave a great deal of consideration to favourable times and places for gathering them, and to choice methods of preparing them for the table. Juvenal tells us of one old Roman enthusiast who was so carried away by his love for them as to exclaim, "Keep your corn, O Libya, unyoke your oxen, provided only you send us mush- rooms! " Horace says that mushrooms which grow in the fields are the best, and that one can have but little faith in other kinds. Mushroom eaters of the present day would perhaps not agree with him, for they find edible species in every imaginable place where fungi grow, and are constantly adding to their list new varieties which they esteem delicious. Although for centuries it has been known that some fungi contain most virulent poisons, still, through ignorance of those points which distinguish the poisonous from the edible, frequent cases of poisoning occur in all classes of society. The mistakes resulting in death have been frequent enough to inspire the timid with an overpowering dread of all fungi, while the damp and grewsome places in which many fungi flourish have caused them to be despised by others. The following lines from Shelley very aptly express the general sentiment : " And plants, at whose names tlie verse feels loath, Fill'd the place with a monstrous undergrowth. Prickly and pulpous, and blistering and blue, Livid, and starr'd with a Uirid dew. I The Homes and Habits of Fungi " And agarics and fungi, witii mildew and mould, Started like mist from the wet ground cold ; Pale, fleshy, as if the decaying dead With a spirit of growth had been animated." Shelley: " The Sensitive Plant." To many people the only growths known as fungi are toad- stools and mushrooms. They give the name mushrooms to the species known to them as edible, and regard all other similar growths as toadstools, things uncanny or poisonous. " The grisly todestool gro^n there mought 1 see. And loathed paddocks [toads] lording on the same." Spenser's " Faerie Queene." This distinction has no scientific basis, and in fact most of the species called toadstools are edible. Fungi are not always the grewsome things of Shelley and Spenser. In their ranks are many which delight the eye with their colouring and the sym- metry of their forms. They are the grotesques of nature; nests, hoofs, cups, umbrellas, shells, and clubs are represented, together with spheres, hemispheres, cones, and many other geomet- rical figures. The mildew on the linen, the mould on food, the rusts and smuts which blight our fields of grain, and the dry rot which crumbles our lumber to dust and which causes old wood in dark places to glow with a weird, pale, flickering light, are all forms of one group or another of these plants which prey upon living or dead organic matter. In ordinary observation, only the simpler and more noticeable fungi are taken into account, but they are in reality met with in almost every situation imagin- able. They are found in damp cellars and in rooms shut off from the light ; in fact, some form of fungus will be found in every place and on everything which is not exposed to a circula- tion of fresh air. In woods and open fields the attractive forms are found. In shady woods the beautiful white "bear's head " hangs on stately tree trunks, and the "destroying angels" gleam white in the shadows on the ground. Shelving brackets, green or red or brown, encircle old stumps, or stand out stiff and white from the crumbling trunks of fallen moss-grown monarchs of the forest, while wood-brown toadstools huddle in groups among 2 The Homes and Habits of Fungi the .'alien leaves. On the outskirts of the wood, green and red Russulas vie with the flowers in the brilliancy of their colouring. Pink or violet Clavarias, dainty corals, border the wood path, and golden Clavarias lighten up the sombre wood tints with their yellow branches. In dry pastures and along wood roads, puff- balls, large and small, send up their puffs of brown smoke, to the delight of every passing child who strikes them with a wand. On lawns and hillsides the Oreades cause fairy rings to grow. The fairy rings are circles, or parts of circles, of impoverished grass of a lighter colour and less luxuriant growth than that of the grass immediately surrounding the circle. Before the existence of fairy folk came to be doubted, it was firmly believed that these fairy rings were the dancing grounds of the fairies. " The nimble elves That do by moonshine green sour ringlets make Whereof the ewe bites not ; whose pastime 'tis To make these midnight mushrooms." Rev. Gerard Smith. The rings on the commons increase in size until sometimes two or more rings intersect to form a labyrinth of green network. Rings appear year after year in the same place, and then disap- pear, to reappear after an interval of a few seasons. As long as the fairies existed in the imaginations of the people, it was easy to account for these strange happenings — the fairies danced in the moonshine, and the grass was worn down under their feet, if they were displeased and left the neighbourhood, the rings disap- peared too. As this fancy was given up, other solutions of the mystery were sought. Some believed that the ring was caused by a thunder-bolt entering the ground at this spot, and still others were confident that it was caused by moles. The true solution is not hard to find, to one familiar with the habit of growth of the fungus plant. One fungus plant growing alone upon the lawn will soon exhaust the soil directly beneath it of all true fungus food. Of all the spores which fall from the parent plant only those will grow which fall without this impoverished spot, and so a ring of toadstools is formed. Again, only those spores which fall outside the ring will find good fungus food, and so the ring widens always outward, forming a perfect circle, unless something on one side or other interferes with its travels. The The Homes and Habits of Fungi decaying ring of fungi temporarily stimulates the grass around it, so that its rich colour stands out in circles or arcs of circles against the less highly nourished grass. Such rings are conspicuous on the lawns of the White House at Washington, and are often to be seen well defined on distant hillsides. Brackets and mushrooms and puffballs grow in warm, moist places where they find decaying wood and leaves to feed upon. Old tree trunks and fallen logs, rich leaf mould, and cattle pastures are their favourite haunts. The reason for their choice of place is invariably connected with the question of food, for fungi can thrive only where they can obtain organic matter, as they have lost the power which all green plants have of feeding on inorganic or mineral matter. All plants must have food with which to form plant flesh. Green plants by means of their leaf green — the only agent in the world which has the power to turn lifeless mineral matter into living matter — take the element carbon from the air, and hydrogen gas and oxygen gas from water, and with their green granules, by some mysterious process, make of the elements hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon, compounds of wood and starch and sugar. Fungus plants have none of this leaf green and must therefore feed on material which has been manufactured by green plants. To define fungi simply, so as to include all the varieties, would be a difficult task ; but in general it may be said that they are plants which have no leaf green and which do not grow from true seeds, but from dustlike bodies resembling in appearance the yel- ^•.. low pollen of roses or lilies. .,;.:/.'•'. The fungi have no flowers and produce no /^^v?K'.-'-'^^ seeds. They produce spores instead, fine dust-like particles, which are borne in special places on the mature plant, whether a mould or mildew, a toad- stool, puffball, or bracket. The cap of a mush- room placed right side up on a piece of paper under an inverted glass will print with its spores a pic- T. a^ ,, ture of the radiating leaves or erills beneath. A Puffball ^ ® slight blow on a puffball in the pasture will cause a puff of smoke-like dust to rise from it — really millions of spores that have ripened inside the puffball and are now ready to grow into new puffball plants when they fall on favourable soil. CHAPTER II : THE RELATION OF FUNGI TO OTHER PLANTS A CLASSIFICATION or orderly arrangement of material collected for study is indispensable to true pleasure and profit. The nature student must classify both his specimens and the knowledge he may obtain about them ; for, as Spen- cer has said, "When a man's knowl- edge is not in order, the more of it he has the greater will be his confu- sion of thought." As he compares his specimens he sees interesting grada- tions of resemblance, and becomes fas- cinated with the pleasure of tracing their relationships and the gradual evo- lution of higher forms from lower. Every lover of nature who haunts the fields and woods acquires a rich store of facts about plant life, and with- out, perhaps, recognising that he does so, distinguishes two great groups of plants — those which have attractive flowers, and those which have no flowers at all. His flowerless plants bear no seeds, but quan- tities of fine, dust-like particles which rise in the air as he brushes his stick over their green leaves. As the powers of observa- tion develop, he distinguishes the ferns and Christmas greens among flowerless plants, and perhaps soon recognises that the soft green moss bank, too, is composed of small plants, and that the green mats, the liverworts, on stones and moist banks and logs, are plants also. His only reason, perhaps, for calling them plants is that they grow and are green. He may Corollas and honey, at- tractive to insects Ingenious stamens The Relation of Fungi to Other Plants Pistil of violet Pistil of St. Johns- wort Seed-box of iris learn with the microscope that the pond scums which he had thought disirrusting frog-spittle are in truth tangles of exquisite plants, made up of chains of slender, transpar- ent cells finer than silken threads, each cell containing many tiny green par- ticles of leaf green, or chloro- phyll— the cause of the green colour of all green plants. At first the most conspicu- ous plants attract the attention, and afterwards, in succession, those less and less conspicuous. They, in reality, present them- selves in great natural groups, readily distinguished by well-marked characteristics. It will be seen, as these pass in review, that they are conspicuous according as they are complex. The gorgeous flow- ering plants have complicated methods of reproduction — corollas and honey, attrac- tive to insects ; Seed-box of sacred bean ingenious sta- mens, pistils, seed-boxes, and seeds. The humble grasses, with their close relatives, dispense with gay colours and the as- sistance of insects, and trust to the breezes to carry their pollen to its goal. The pines and their allies are a step nearer simplic- ity, and do not enclose Winged seed their seeds in a seed-box of the sii- .^^ yj,^ ^^^ provide them ver fir . "^ . ,. With wmgs for dissemi- nation, and leave them exposed to the wind. Fern with spores {^Polypo- tium vulgar e) The Relation of Fungi to Other Plants Liverwort {lilarc/iantia polymorphd) The ferns and Christmas greens (Lycopodiums) have no flowers, and therefore no true seeds. They have a distinct stem, which grows from the apex and is strength- ened by woody fibres, which may readily be seen by breaking the stem across. The woody fibres so strengthen the tissues of these plants that they are able to stand erect and make a conspicuous appearance not pos- sible to the small moss- es and liv- er w o rts , which are spore-bearing plants with no woody fibre. The plants of all these Grass spikeiet g^oups re- semble each other in descending degrees, so that they may be classed in groups under groups. Similar specimens may form groups of species. Species may form larger groups, or genera. Genera with common characteristics may form families ; and groups of families, orders; and orders, classes ; while classes unite to form branches, or phylae. A botanist relies for the classification of his specimens mainlv upon the similarity of those parts of the plant which produce the seeds or spores rather than upon those parts— the roots and leaves and stems — which have the work of the plant household to do. He finds that the seed and spore producing parts are more con- stant in their forms and habits than the leaves and stems and roots, which are more exposed, and which are constantly 7 Bean seed open to show embryo Indian pipe The Relation of Fungi to Other Plants being forced to a change of form which will better suit their changed surroundings. The novice sees nothing in the brown, or even in the highly coloured, fungi to war- rant his calling them plants. They are to him just toadstools ;" for green colouring matter his first criterion for plants — is not there, and, moreover, there is noth- ing in their shape which suggests to him the plants with which he is familiar. The snow- white Indian pipe lacks the green of most plants, but that does not rule it for him out of the plant world ; for although it Moss (Dicranum scopariurn) (natural size) is colourless, and depends upon other plants for food, still it has a flower form and produces a seed-box with well-devel- oped seeds. Fungi, however, to any but the close student must seem quite unrelated to all normal plant forms. But the botanist, by a study of their structure, finds that they all grov/ from microscopic, dust- like particles, which differ from true seeds in consisting of but one or a few cells, and in having no embryo plant in them as true seeds have. He recognises their position in the kingdom of living things, and classes them as spore-bearing plants, lower than the group of mosses, those dainty plants which delight every one with their graceful- ness, and which bear their spores in tiny cap- sules or boxes set up on slender stems. By studying their life history he decides that they are degenerate members of the low- est group — the algse — and that they have fostered the habit of feeding on material constructed by green plants, instead of con- structing food material for themselves, and have, in consequence, 8 White mould on dead fly The Relation of Fungi to Other Plants Threads Bread mould (mag- nified) lost their power of constructing such food, and also their green granules by which this work of construction may be carried on. The life history and structure of fungi has been studied so minutely that one is Spore cases ^*|^jq able to arrange them in three well- marked classes: The first class, the algal-like fungi (Phycomycetes), includes bread moulds and several of those fungi which cause diseases of plants and animals — the downy mildew on the grape, the potato rot, the common white mould which fastens dead flies to the walls or window panes in the autumn, and the fungus which grows on salmon and causes them to die in great numbers. The plant of these fungi is cobwebby, sometimes growing within the cells of the plant substance on which it lives, and sometimes growing both within and on the surface. A freshly moulded piece of moist bread shows the bread covered with exquisitely fine transparent threads, which con- stitute the plant. Later, spore cases containing tiny black spores will be seen, which give a del- Spores borne in del- icate gray tint to the plant at first, but later form icate membran- ^ black, repulsive mass as their numbers increase, ous sacs (magni- ^j^^^^ ,^^^ ^^^ regarded as descendants of de- generate algi?, which lost their pov/er of inde- pendent existence through stealing their food instead of making it for themselves. The second class, the spore-sac fungi, produce their spores in delicate membranous sacs. The spore-sac fungi vary greatly in size, habit, and structure. Most of them are inconspicuous members of the plant world, as the yeast plant, by which our bread is raised ; the fungus which causes the peach leaves to curl and the black knots ^P°'^' ^"''"^ °" ''\^ •^ , , , spicules (magnified) to appear on cherry and plum trees. The third class is made up of all fungi which bear their 9 The Relation of Fungi to Other Plants spores on little spicules standing up on large cells. This con- tains most of the conspicuous fungi one will care about knowing. To understand the group one must understand the method by which a spore grows to be a fungus plant, and to be able to distinguish the different members of the group one must know on just what portions of the spore receptacle the spores are borne- iL '" CHAPTER III : FROM SPORE TO MUSHROOM The way in which a spore grows into a fungus plant is very simple : (i) The spore is a single cell, and when it is in a warm, moist place it swells. (2) The cell absorbs food through ^,„^ its cell wall and divides into two cells, '^ O (^y (3) Each new cell absorbs food and divides until long chains of cells are formed, looking to the unaided eye like threads. Each thread is a hypha, and a tangle of threads is a mycelium. (4) In the soil the mycelium nour- ishes itself on decaying vegetable matter, and grows ; then, at certain points, the threads mat together to form little balls the size of pin- heads (a). (b) The pinheads grov/ to the size of bird-shot. (c) The bird-shot increase to the size of shoe-buttons. (5) If the ball * * * is to become a stemmed toadstool, a minute stem ap- pears on the button. The stem and button increase in size. The button is lifted above the soil and expands into a mushroom. (6) If the button is to become a puff- ball, no stem appears on the button ; but 11 From Spore to Mushroom Puffball tesJ it grows, and comes out of the ground a round pufTball. (See Plate opposite p. 124.) If one wishes to learn to distinguish the members of the mushroom or toadstool family, either for the pleasure he may derive from knowing them, or from a desire to distinguish the edible from the poison- ous, he must be f a m i I i a r with, the typi- cal parts of the fungus plant, V; and must know the names of these parts. The edible mushroom of the market {Agariciis campesiris) serves well for study, Veii.....!../Vwi,^|^i as it shows some of the characteristics which all the toad- stools, mushrooms, brackets, and puffballs have in common. (i) This mushroom is in shape some- thing like a parasol. (2) The handle is the stem, or stipe. (3) The open top is the cap, or pileus. (4) Under the cap, radi- ating from the stalk to the edge of the cap, are thin plates — the gills, or lamellae. (5) When the mushroom is in .Short cells the buttou Stage, the gills are not ^, ^ , , ^ ,. visible, for they are covered with .Club-shaped bodies -^ a thin sheet of mycelial threads, Section across gill (magnified) Called the Veil. (See coloured plate of Agarirns campesiris.) (6) As the button grows the veil stretches, and finally breaks, spores on slender processes Mycelial threads From Spore to Mushroom feaving a ragged edge to the cap, and a ring or annulus of veil around tiie stem. Tiie gills of the Agaricus are not fastened to the stem, but are rounded off at the end near the stem, while others, between the long ones, extend from the edge of the cap r only far enough toward the stem to fill up the angles formed by the long gills. The surface of the gills is the fruiting portion of the mushroom. It is here that the spores are formed. The structure of the fungus A small portion of section of gill (highly magnified) plant up to this point has been similar throughout. A loose tangle of threads underground formed the myce- lium— the food provider. A more closely matted tangle above ground- formed the stem and cap and veil, and even the central part of the gill — the fruiting parts of the plant. On the surface of the gill a difference in structure is found, which will be clearly understood from a picture of a thin section cut across a gill. (i) The central portion of the gill is made by loosely tangled mycelium threads (/r) draping themselves in thin plates from the surface of the cap. (2) Just outside of this loose mycelium, on either side, are layers of short cells {c), which bear club- shaped bodies standing out over both surfaces of the gills {b). (3) Each club bears two slen- der processes {st) at the free end, and each process bears a spore \Sp)- Leaf rust on Ilcpatica triloba Corn smut From Spore to Mushroom All corn smuts, wheat smuts, leaf rusts, toadstools, puff- balls, and brackets bear their spores on club-like cells, and for this reason are put in one group, called Basidiomycetes. The fact that corn smuts and leaf rusts feed on living plants, while toad- stools, brackets, and puffballs feed on dead plants, separates them in- to two groups ; the smuts and rustsforming the lower group, and the others the higher group. It is the higher Basidiomycetes which we wish to con- sider, as this group includes most of the con- spicuous fungi, most of the edi- Pouch-fungus section, to show spores in hollow rind Section to show gills Section of a Boletus, to show pores Clavaria with spores on spines ble, and those fungi which are dangerous because of their re- semblance to edible species. Remembering that toadstools, puffballs, and brackets all start from spores ; that all have the tangled thread-like plants, seeking the dark ; that they all have the spore recep- tacle in the light, and bear their spores on club-like cells, one can readily understand their be- ing put in one group. With a few exceptions not Section of iiydnum, to show teeth necessary for US to Consider, all the higher fungi naturally divide into two groups — pouch-fungi (Gasteromycetes), which conceal their spores in a definite rind, or peridium, as the puffballs do ; and membrane fungi (Hymenomycetes), now called Agari- cales, which bear their spores exposed on the surface of gills, pores, spines, or teeth, as the garden mushrooms, the Boleti, the Clavarias, and the Hydnums. 14 CHAPTER IV: THE KEY WHAT A KEY IS, AND WHY A NAME IS DESIRABLE A KEY in the study of botany is a guide by wiiich a student may trace a specimen until he finds a name for it. Having found a name, he may learn from books or from friends what is known of its habits of growth, of its value as a food or drug, whether it is harmful or harmless, whether it is to be protected or whether war is to be waged against it. He may learn whether it has figured in history or the myths, and how the poets and artists viewed it, and may perhaps learn to see it with their eyes. He may watch similar specimens as they grow, and may add the results of his observations to the facts already recorded about his specimen. HOW A KEY FOR FUNGI IS MADE, AND WHY IT IS DESIRABLE In the first place, only such plants are considered as grow from spores and have no leaf-green. (The spore characteristic is one the amateur must decide upon either by seeing the spores or by inferring their existence from the fact that seeds do not appear.) There are some thirty-five thousand species of fungi known to botanists, so that it would be impossible to find a name for a specimen if one had to read at random until the right description for his specimen was found; but since all of these plants may be put in one or another of three groups, on accoun*: of certain points of resemblance which they have in common, and since these three groups may each in turn be divided and subdivided, one may, by selecting groups rather than individual specimens, find a short path to the name desired. The three primary groups, called classes, are made as follows : The first contains many mould-like fungi which resembl one another in microscopic characters. The second contains other mould-like fungi and many con 15 The Key spicuous fungi which bear their spores in transparent sacs (see first page of Key). The third contains ail fungi which bear their spores on en- larged cells called basidia (see first page of Key). To even partially understand the inconspicuous fungi is a task impossible to one who is not familiar with the use of a com- pound microscope. To acquire a knowledge sulTiciently accu- rate to identify nearly all of the conspicuous fungi is within the power of any intelligent person, for the two groups or classes containing the conspicuous species may be divided, on account of easily distinguished characters, into groups called orders. The orders may be divided into groups called families, and the families into groups called genera (singular genus), and the genera into individual specimens called species; and all these groups may be arranged in such a way that the series of selec- tions may be quickly made. Such an arrangement of groups is called a key. ! J Key o 2 D u. 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C c 9^ OS E 4— * — * -, -J to c -— 2 o -I-' E c f^ be 9> 1 1 1 (1) r* T3 c en o crt n c:: ^ i^ a. ?^ i < >. O C/3 u 00 r3 x> -l-> rt a* a> rt J3 • , c« *^ Cu o D 'J 0) u. • »— < rt a* bO (^ o. V 44 Key • t/) . ~ .E N-« o (U OQ cu o i- ■*-' 00 ' O 00 (— c o o Cu 00 .1 o 00 E • rv * 3 ^ -C • «N c ^ 00 Is 00 ^ .2 o b£) JZ J= -o D 00 C/3 00 less ra brown O H > pileu blacki • a I To I ■ •4-* (3 30 m I I » LJ CO « 7' < tr ^ O White-spored Series while the remains of the wrapper are left at the base of the stem, an open sac. Spores — White, elliptical. Flesh— ^\\\Xt stained with yellow under the separable epidermis and next the Hne of attachment of the gills. Taste — Mild and pleasant. Habitat— "Wixw woods, preferably pine woods and sandy soil. Abundant in southern Europe, common in the Southern States, and occasionally found in New York and Massa- chusetts. Time — July, August, September. The Amanita Ccesarea is one of the handsomest species. The Greeks and Romans esteemed it as an article of food. The names, " Food of the gods," " Ctbus Deorum," " Imperial mush- room," "Caesar's mushroom," and " Kaiserhng," suggest the esteem in which it was held. ci Fungi with Gills < < < o -J > UJ n: H o o < o u 1 o -|> S = ^ . S £ ^ ^ (5 o -r £o •ti 0 <^ s g ^ ■? Cl o »; "3 o ^ S • >> o • £ D ■t-i 00 £ p (8 ■-' E . a "^ O "^5> o « en 3 3 0 .be £ C rt ^ 73 '3 TO (8 r^ £ ■■^ ^ -S ^ o ^ f— ' r- < ^ P ^ ^f --25^ s ^ T3 o :3 1 Vi.* ^ o ^. u .- r S ^ c ^ ^ Ih- • - E ■?; -C* O O- rt o oj o 3 p 0) I. o . -teg ^ £ ^ nS 82 ^3 ^ W ^ ^ ■£ ••$ • ^" 0£ ^ _o (C T3 c ^ _o c -' a E < ~ C/5 P ^ ^ ^ T*« 13 ^ TO >^ (U (U flJ ^ ^— 00 - TO D. 3 u 52 1 STRANGLED AMANITOPSIS (EDIBLE) (Anianitopsis sirangulata, Fr., Roze) Cap greyish brown; wrapper fragments dark brown. See Genus, p. 53 White-spored Series GENUS CANTHARELLUS The members of the genus Cantharellus differ from all other gill-bearing fungi in that the gills are in the form of shallow folds growing down the stem. The folds are generally narrow and forked or branching. The name Cantharellus, meaning little cup or goblet, refers to the shape of the fungus, some of the species being so deeply depressed that a cup not unlike a tall goblet results. Cantharellus floccosus (Edible) (See Plate Facing Page 136) Cap or Pileus — Funnel form or trumpet shaped, depressed even into the stem. The surface of the depression is woolly or scaly. The scales some- times persist and sometimes dis- appear. Reddish yellow, fading to yellow. GUIs or Lamellcp. — Blunt, narrow, close; forked branched so as to appear as a network. Yellow to yellow brown. Stem or Stipe — Short, smooth, or hairy. Sometimes extending like a root among fallen leaves. Spores — White. Flesh— \N\(\\t, thin. Time — ^July to September. Habitat — In groups in woods. The specimen pictured was found grow- ing in moss by a stream among laurels and rhododendrons. Section of C. floccosus GENUS AMANirOPSIS The genus Amanitopsis has white spores, the gills free from the stem, and at the base of the stem a volva, the remains of the wrapper which enclosed the young plant. There is no anniiliis or ring on the stem, a feature which separates the genus Amani- topsis from the genus Amatiita. Can-tha-rSl'-liis Flflc-co'-stis X-min'-T-tfip'-ste 53 Fungi with Gills Ring The Sheathed Amanitopsis (Edible) Amanitopsis vaginala Cap or Pikus — Variable in colour, ranging from white to reddish brown. Thin, fragile, smooth; or, when young, with a few fragments of the wrapper adhering to its surface. Margin distinctly and deeply striated. 2-4 inches broad. Stefn or Stipe — Hol- low or stufTed; smooth, or sprinkled with minute mealy particles orwooUy scales. Not bul- bous at the base. 3-5 inches long. Spores— V^\\\X.t. or Annul us — None. Wrapper 'or Volva — Soft, flabby, white, adhering slightly to the base. Gills or Lamellce — Free from the stem. Whiteorwhitish, close, irregular. i^/- V, < s to s ■>J ^ White-spored Series centric, straight, or curved; firm, solid, equal, or tapering at the base. 2-4 inches long. Ring or Annuius — None. Spores — White. F/esh—\Mh\iQ. Time — June to August. Habitat — On wood; common on railroad ties. GENUS PLEUROTUS In the genus Pleiirotus the stem is attached to the cap at some point to one side of the centre. The stem may be on the very margin of the cap, or may be wanting altogether. The three species to be mentioned all grow on dead wood — either on dead trees or on dead branches of living trees. > The name Pleiirotus comes from a Greek word meaning side, and has reference to the position of the stem. Oyster Mushroom (Edible) Pleurottis ostreatus Cap or Pileus — Fleshy, convex, smooth, and moist. White, or tinted with ash colour or brown. Gills or Lamellce — White, or tinted with ash ; broad ; growing down the stem, and branching again and again at the base. Stem or Stipe — Short or wanting. Spores — White, ob- long. /'/^j-/-!— White, tough. Section of P. ostreatus Time — September. Habitat — On dead wood. The specimens pictured were found growing on a dead forest tree at Lake Placid. The largest shells measured four inches across. Plu-ro'-tus Os-tre-a'-tOs 57 Fungi with Gills Pleurotus sapidus (Edible) Cap or Pileus — Convex or depressed, smooth, often irregular. White, yellowish, ashy grey, dull lilac, or even brownish; overlapping each other. 2-5 inches broad. Gills or Lamellic — Whitish, rather distant, growing down the stem, branching and connecting again at stem end. Section of P. sapidus Stem or Stipe — Stems more or less united at the base, eccentric or lateral, smooth, whitish. 1-2 inches long. Spores — Lilac, oblong. Time — June to November. Flesh — White, tough. Habitat — In clusters, often from a common stem, growing on decayed wood. Elm Pleurotus (Edible) Pleurotus tilmarius Cap or Pileus — Convex or nearly flat, firm, smooth. White, tinted at the centre with reddish yellow or brownish yellow. 2-5 inches broad. Gills or Lamellce — Broad, not crowded, notched at the stem end, growing down the stem. White, turning yellow with age. Stem or Stipe — United to the cap one side of the centre. Usually curved ; solid, smooth, or downy. White or whitish. 2-4 inches long, Sap'-t-diis Ul-ma-ri-us 58 Oyster IVlushrooin (edibie). (Pleurotus ostreatus, Fr.) Reduced. See page 57. White-spored Series Section of P. ulmarius Flesh — White, not tender, agreeable flavour. Spores — White, globose. lime — September to November. Habitat — Conspicuous on dead parts of standing elms. Large and white. Sometimes found on other than elm trees. GENUS HYGROPHORUS The members of this genus may be recognized by their moist caps and by the waxy nature of their gills, which usually grow downward on the stem (decurrent), and are not very closely placed side by side. No species is known to be dangerous. Chantarelle hygrophorus (Edible) Hygrophorus cantharellus (See Plate Facing Page 6o) Cap or Pile us — Thin, convex at first, but later depressed. Cov- ered vv-ith minute scales. Moist, bright red, becoming ciange or yellow. >^-i inch broad. Hy-grt)pli'-('')-rus 59 Fungi with Gills Gills or Lamellce. — Distant, somewhat arched, growing downward on the stem {deciirrent). Yellow, sometimes tinged with vermilion. Unequal. Slem 07- Stipe — Smooth, not truly solid, sometimes hollow. Coloured like the cap, whitish within. 2-4 inches long. Ri7ig or Anmilus — None. Spores — White. Flesh — Disagreeable in flavour. Habitat — Swamps and damp, shaded places ; in fields or woods. Common. The specimen photographed was found in dense mixed woods, Lake Placid. Var. H. rosea has the cap expanded and the margin wavy. Var. H. flava has the cap and stem pale yellow, the gills arched and strongly decurrent. Var. H. flavipes has the cap and stem red or reddish. Var. H. flaviceps has the cap yellow and the stem reddish. Vermilion Hygrophorus (Edible) Hygrophoriis miniatus Cap or Pileus — Thin, fragile at first, convex, becoming nearly flat. Smooth or minutely scaly. Often depressed. Red, fading to yellow or orange. 1-2 inches broad. Gills or Lamellce — Distant. Usually yellow, sometimes tinged with red. Notched at the stem end, or growing down the stem, or fastened to the stem by the entire width of the inner extremity of the gill. Stem or Stipe — Slender, smooth. Coloured like the cap. Solid when young, hollow when old. 1-2 inches long. Ring or Anniilus — None. Spores — White, elliptical. Flesh — Tender, and of agreeable flavour. Time — ^June to September. Habitat — Adapts itself to varying conditions. Singly, in groups, or in clusters, in bogs or on <^'^y hillocks. The specimen photographed was found in woods, among fallen leaves and decayed wood. Lake Placid. Section of H. miniatus Flav'-K-pes Flav'-J-ceps 6p MKn-I-a'-tus Golden-flesh Boletus. (Boletus chrysenteron, Fr.). Reduced. Seepage I06. Vermilion Hygrophorus (edible). (Hygrophorus miniatus, Fr.). Reduced. Chanterelle Hygrophorus (edible). (Hygrophorus cantharellus, Schw.) Reduced. See page 59. Fat Pholiota, (edible). (Pholiota adiposa, Fr.) See page 83. Honey-coloured Armillaria (edible). (Armillaria mellea, Vahl). White-spored Series Ivory Hygrophorus (Edible) Hygrophorus eburneUS (See Plate Facing Page 84) Cap or P ileus — White, thin,fleshy,viscid. Stem or Stipe — White, unequal, long, slender, stuffed, or hollow; viscid. Gills or LaDiella — White, waxy, unequal, distant, growing down the stem (decur- rent), thick and firm. Volva and Annulus — Wanting. Spores — White. Flesh — O dour and taste grateful. Time — September. Habitat — The speci- men photo- graphed was found growing among moss and fallen leaves in dense wood. Lake Placid. Section of H. eburneus GENUS ARMIILARIA The members of this genus have white spores, and the gills attached by the inner extremity to the stem. The stem has a collar, but no wrapper at the base. The name is derived from the Latin armilla, a bracelet, referring to the ring upon the stem. Honey-coloured Armillaria (Edible) Armillaria mellea Cap or Pileiis — Colour from almost white to dark reddish brown. Young plants have numerous minute tufts or scales of brownish or blackish hairs. Margins sometimes striated. 1-6 inches broad. Eb-ur'-ne-iis Ar'-mri-la-ri-& 61 Mci'-i^a ^ r^ Fungi with Gills Stem or Stipe — Usually reddish brown, paler above than below. Uniform in thickness, narrowed or slightly thickened at the base. Firm externally; soft and spongy, or hollow within. 1-6 inches long. ^ ' — -.,.,^^ Ring or Annuliis — Cottony to ^^y^""^ ^\ membranous, sometimes lacking in old plants. Gills or Lainellce — Simply joined to the stem or run- ning down it. White or whitish ; sometimes va- riegated with reddish- brown spots. Spores — White, elliptical. F/esh — White or whitish. Section of A. meiiea Taste unpleasant or acrid. Quality inferior. Habitat — Common in woods or in cleared land, on the ground or on decayed wood. Solitary or clustered. Time — Abundant in September. ■ Found in June. Var. obsciira has cap covered with numerous small, blackish scales. Var. flava has cap yellow or reddish yellow. Var. glabra has cap smooth. Var. radicata has tapering stem which penetrates the earth deeply. Var. Imlhosa has bulbous base. Var. exannulata has cap smooth, margin even, stem tapering, annulus slight and evanescent, or wholly wanting. The Armillaria mellea has a disagreeable taste when raw, but when cooked it is thought by some to be very good. Dr. Peck says he does not know of any unwholesome species for which it may be mistaken. The Armillaria mellea has the habit, very unusual for a member of the group of Agaracales, of producing from its my- celial threads tuber-like masses of fungal substances from which the fruiting caps arise. The fungal masses of the Armillaria, the so-called sclerotia, are ribbon or string like, and may be found between the wood and bark of cone-bearing trees. These sclerotia send out cylindrical branches, called rhizomorphs, which may penetrate the soil and attack the roots of other trees, and so continue their work of destruction in the forest. Ob-scu'-rS Gla'-brS Bul-bo'-si Flav'-a Rad-I-ca'-ta 62 Ex-an'-nu-la'-ti g Q. UJ _J > < a: O 3 a u O J3 be a o •a c a U White-spored Series It is to the luminosity of these mycelial threads, which per- meate the decaying wood, that the weird phosphorescent light in dense woods is due. GENUS LEPIOTA (See plate facing page 64) The members of this genus have the gills free from the stem, and have no wrapper remains at the base of the stem. In some species the cap or pileus has the surface scaly, owing to the rup- ture of the fibres which compose it. It is this feature which has suggested the name Lepiota, from the Latin word lepis — a scale. There are about thirty species represented in the United States, of which a few are commonly eaten. Parasol Musli- room ; Tail Lepiota (Edi- ble) Lepiota procera Cap or Pileus — Con- vex, like an open umbrella. Thin, umbonate, cov- ered with closely pressed scales. 3-5 inches broad. Stem or Stipe — Long, hollow, or with cottony pith; bulbous at the base ; usually covered with closely pressed scales. 5-1 o inches long. Veil or Ri?ig — Thick and firm ; often movable on the stem. L^p-i-o'-ta Section of L. procera Pr69'-f-ri 63 Fungi with Gills Gills or Lafnella;—C\ost\y placed, side by side. Whitish, or tinged with yellow. The inner extremity remote from the stem. Spores— V^hxie, elliptical. piesh — White, soft, and dry. Time—]\.\\y to September. Habital—lhm woods, pastures, and by roadsides. The specific name, Procera, from the Latin procera (tall), refers to the length of the stem. There is no poisonous species for which it can be mistaken if one bears in mind that it has a long stem with bulbous base, a brownish, spotted cap with dark apex, and a broad basin about the insertion of the stem. Smooth Lepiota (Edible) Lepiota naucinoides Cap or Pileus — Smooth, white ; rarely the central part of the cap is tinged with a smoky hue. 2-4 inches broad. Stem or Stipe — Coloured like the cap ; thickened at the base. Hollow or webby. 2-3 inches long. Veil or Annulus — White. Exter- nal edge generally thicker than the inner ; often mov- able on the stem. Gills or Lamellae — White when young ; when old, pinkish or smoky brown. Rounded at the inner extremity and not attached to the stem. Narrower toward the stem than in the middle. Spores— '\N\\\\t, sub-elliptical. Flesh— 'WxxzV, white, and ten- der. T^m^— August — November. The smooth lepiota resembles the chalk agaric {Agaricus cretaceous), which has brown spores, and the meadow mush- Nau'-jKn-oi'-des 64 Section of L. naucinoides SMOOTH LEPIOTA (EDIBLE) (Lt'piota nancinoides. Peck) Nat. size : Cap diam., 3"2 inches; stem length, A,Yn inches. PARASOL MUSHROOM. TALL LEPIOTA (EDIBLE) (Lepiota procera. Scop.) Nat. Size: Cap Diain., 3% inches; stem length, ^]4 inches See page 63 Lepiota Friesii, Lasch. (edible). See page 65. Cortinarius albovioiaceus, Fr. Reduced. See oage 86. White-spored Series room {Agarictts campestris), which has darker gills, a persistent collar, and a stem tapering at the base. No harm can come from confusing these for edible purposes. Great care should be taken to be sure that a specimen thought to be a smooth lepiota has no volva or wrapper at the base, for the absence of a volva is the most marked difference between it and the poisonous vernal amanita {Amanita verna). The gills of the smooth lepiota turn a dingy brown or pink, and those of the vernal amanita remain white ; and the cap of the smooth lepiota has not the moist smoothness and the brilliant whiteness of the vernal amanita. Lepiota Friesii CaJ> or Pileus — Rather thin, convex, or nearly plain, with soft, tawny fibres forming small patches over the surface. 1-4 inches wide. Si^ni or Stipe — Tapering toward the cap, slightly bulbous at the base. The lower part of the stem coloured like the cap, and with similar fibrils. Hollow. Powdery white above the ring. 2-5 inches long. Ring or Annulus—VKQ'i.twi and pendulous. Gills or Lamellm — Narroit\ croivded, free from stem ; white ; some forhed. Spores — White. Flesh — Soft, white, with a slight odour when bruised. Ring or Annulus — Well developed, drooping. White above, and tawny or scaly below. Habitat — Soft, loose soil in bushy places. Time — July to September. GEl^US MARASMIUS The genus Marasmius belongs to the white-spored series. The plants are small, and wither and shrivel in dry weather, to revive again when wet. The gills are thin, and have acute edges. The generic name comes from the same Greek word as the word marasmus, the name applied to a disease from which the patient wastes away without any apparent cause. The signifi- cance of the name will be apparent to one who watches the fleshy little plant shrink away when the sun shines. Fre'-sM Ma-ras'-ml-iis 5 6s Fungi with Gills Fairy-ring Mushroom (Edible) Marasmius oreades Cap or Fileus—¥\tshy, tough, smooth, convex, or nearly plane, often with the centre higher than the space between it and the rim. Reddish ; fading, as it ages or dries, to pale yellow or buff. 1-2 inches broad. Gilis or Lamellcz — Broad and wide apart, creamy or yellowish, rounded at the stem end, unequal. Stem or Stipe — Whitish, slender, tough, solid, coated with dense woolly hairs. i-iYz inches long. Ring or Annulus — None. Spores — Wh ite . Flesh — Thin, white, tough. Time — May to October. Habitat — In circles or groups. Dangerous fungi somewhat resembling the M. oreades, at/d found in company with it, may be distinguished by their dark- coloured spores. GENUS COLLYBIA The members of this genus have white spores, and the lamellae with thin edges attached to the stem by their inner ex- tremity. The stem has a cartilaginous rind; that is, it is hard and of a tough texture. The genus contains fifty-four American species, some of which are regarded as edible, while others are regarded as deleterious. The velvet-stemmed collybia, or Col- Ivbia vehitipas, is edible, and remarkable for its habit of growing long after the frosts of winter have come. It is easily recognised by its yellowish and viscid cap, and its habit of growing in tufts, and developing on the stem 2. dense coat of velvety hairs. The rooted collybia, Collybia radicata, may be recognised by the char- acter of its stem, as the lower part is like a slender tap root, gener- ally penetrating the earth to a depth equal to the length of the stem above the surface. O-re'-a-des CSl-lyb'-I-i 66 ^•'.ir SPOTTED COt.LYBIA (EDIBLE, Mel.) (CoUybia tJtactilata, A. & S.) Cap and stem white with rusty spots ; gills white. See Genus, p. 66 BROAD-GILLED COLLYBIA vEDIBLE, MclJ {CoUybia platyphylla, Fr.) Surface of cap brownish, fibrillose ; gills white. See Genus, p. 66 Collybia familia. Peck. Reduced (Edible) WAXY CLITOCYBE (EDIBLE) {Clitocybe laccaia. Scop.) See page 70 White-spored Series Collybia familia (Edible) Cap or Pileus — Greyish, with centre darker. Smooth margin, often cracked. Slightly striate. Gills or Lamellce — Slightly greyish, soft, un- equal, free, not crowded. Steftt or Stipe — Greyish, hollow. Lower part covered with white woolly sub- stance. Spores — White. Flesh — Greenish grey. Time — September. Section of C. familia Habitat— '\\\t specimen photographed was found growing upon a prostrate evergreen tree near Lake Placid. GENUS PAN us (See Plate facing page 145) The members of this genus are leathery plants, with the stems lateral or wanting. The gills are simple, not forked, and the spores are white. Paniis stypticus is common on rotten wood, and gives out a weird, phosphorescent light. The species of the genus Panus so much resemble species of the genus Leutinus, which do not have toothed margins, that Panus and Lentiniis are considered by some as one genus, with the name Lentirms. GENUS TROGIA But one American species is reported, this is small and leathery, brownish in colour, with the spore-bearing surface white. The lamellae are obtuse on their edges, and are not hairy. The spores are white. This plant is common on fallen branches of the alder. GENUS SCHIZOPHYLLUM The members of this genus have white spores and a leathery pileus, with the lamellae hairy and grooved, or split. Schiio- phylluni commune is common on twigs or branches. It varies from >4 to 2 inches across, appearing as fluted shells on the bark. Fa-mU'-l-a Pa'-nus Trog'-T-S SkTz-o-piiyl'-lum Ct'un-mu'-nc 67 Fungi with Gills GENUS OMPHALIA The members of this genus have white spores, and the gills growing down on the stem. They have a hard, tough rind to the stem, which distinguishes them from the genus Clitocybe, which has fleshy stems. Omphalia umbellifera is a small species, with a cap about an inch broad. It is the common mushroom on the top of Mount Marcy, the highest mountain in the State of New York. GENUS RUSSULA The genus Russula may usually be recognised by its brittle character, added to its fleshy stem and the fact that the lamellae are usually joined to the stem. Bright clear reds and purplish hues prevail, but several species exhibit a green colour, or an approach to green. The spores are white or yellowish, and the flesh never exudes a milky or coloured juice. Emetic Russula (Dangerous) Russula emetic a Cap or Pileus — Rosy tint to rich red. Flesh thin. The margin furrowed with parallel lines. Skin separable, somewhat viscid. Cap diameter of specimen p h otographed, y/7. inches. Gills or Lamella. — White. Usually uniform, occa- siona 1 ly un equal ; broad and brittle. Stem or Stipe — Rosy. Swol- len near the base. Spe cimen photo- graphed, 2^4 inches long. Spores — White. Flesh— ^Nhxit, unless just under the skin, where it may be pink. Very fragile. Peppery to the taste. Section of R. emetica Om-pha'-lt-a Um-bel-lJ'-fe-ra 68 Rus'-sS-ia E-met'-!f-ca ul "O w 0) c , -5 w (D a; 03 > Q. O 3 U) d U3 (D CO 0) ID <- r^ ct (3 White-spored Series Taste — Acrid and biting. Ti7ne — ^July to November. Habitat — In damp meadows, in woods, in grassy places, under pine trees and firs. Green Russula; Verdette (Edible) Russtila virescens Cap or F ileus — Greyish green. At first globose, then expanded ; convex or depressed at the centre. Firm and dry. Not viscid, but adorned with flaky greenish or yellowish patches, produced by the cracking of the skin. 2-4 inches broad. Margin marked with impressed lines. Section of R. virescens Gills or La^nellce — White. Moderately close ; free, or nearly so ; narrow as they approach the stem. Some forked, others not. Ste7n or Stipe — Shorter than the diameter of the cap. Smooth, white, and solid, or somewhat softer within. 1-2 inches long. Spores — White, rough, nearly globose. Flesh — White ; mild in taste. \^-r^s'-9?ns 69 Fungi with Gills Time — July and August. Habitat — Grassy grounds, groves, and open woods. No milky nor coloured juice, no coloured circular zones. Variable Russula (Edible) Russula heterophylla Cap or Pileiis — Variable in colour. Greenish or pinkish grey, but fleshy, firm ; slightly convex, then depressed ; smooth, and polished, the very thin skin disappearing. Margin thin, smooth, or with slightly depressed lines closely placed. Stem or Stipe — Solid, firm, smooth, shining white, the apex oc- casionally dilated in the form of a cup. Annulus or Volva — None. Gills or Lamella — Narrow, crowded, forked ; white ; of different lengths. Spores — White. Flesh — White ; mild in taste. Habitat — Woods. Common. Time — ^July to October. The specific name refers to the difference in the lengths of the gills. GENUS CUTOCYBE The members of the genus Clitocybe have the spores white, no volva nor annulus, the gills with thin edges not notched on the edge near the stem, and generally decurrent. Clitocybe laccata (Edible) (See Plate facing page 67) Cap or Pileus — When moist, pale red, buff red, or flesh red ; when dry, greyish to pale yellowish brown. Surface cov- ered with tiny tufts of hair. Convex when young, flattened with wavy margin when old ; often depressed. ^4-2 inches broad. Gills or Lamella — Broad, distant, unequal. Flesh colour. Slightly decurrent. Veil and Annuhis — None. Ste7n or Stipe — Slender, stiff, fibrous, stuffed, or hollow. Colour like cap. Often twisted. 1-3 inches long. Spores — White, rough, globose. Flesh — Thin, pale flesh colour, leathery, tasteless. H^t'er-o-phyl'-la. ClT-to-cy'-be LSc-ca'-tS 70 V-- • * .A»-.-i DECEIVING CLITOCYBE (UNWHOLESOME) {.Clitocybe iiludens, Schw.) Dull orange ; phosphorescent. See Genus, p. 70 White-spored Series Sections of C. laccata Time — Spring to autumn. Habitat — Wood, swamps, or open fields, naked ground, mossy or grassy places. Var. amethystiiia has cap darker, gills amethyst, quite decurrent. Var. pallidifolia, gills paler than laccata. Var. striatula, plants small, gills showing as lines through the thin cap. Clitocybe virens Cap or Pileus — Fleshy, convex, expanded, obtuse. Pale greenish blue. Gills or Lamellit — White, crowded, thin, slightly decurrent. Stem or Stipe — White, with occasional rusty spots ; stiff, solid. Sometimes two stems are found growing together at the base. Spores — White. Flesh— ^N\\\\.(;. Time — Autumn. Habitat— '\\\t specimen photographed was found growing in mixed woods in Pennsylvania. Am-e-thys -tl-ni pai-ir-di-fo'-ir-a 71 Strl-St'-S-li Vl'-rfns Fungi with Gills GENUS TRICHOLOMA The members of genus Tricholoma have white spores, and no collar on the stem. The gills are attached to the stem, and are notched on the edge at or near the stem. Masked Tricholoma (Edible) Tricholoma personatiim {var. bulbosiim) Cap or Pileus — Variable in colour; pale lilac, with yellowish tint; brighter in young specimens ; sometimes whitish or pale greyish. Thick, fleshy, convex when young, with margin rolled in, and slight bloom or mealiness on the surface. When mature, smooth ; mar- gin wavy or turned upward. Gills or Lamellce — Faint lilac col- our, with tint of violet. Nar- row, unequal, free, close, and rounded at the stem end. Stem — Faint lilac tint. Surface rather fibrous ; short, stout, solid, bulbous. Spores — S 0 r d i d Section of T. personatum (var. bulbosuvi) \vhite ellinti.i cal. Flesh — Firm. Habitat — Thin woods, open grassy places. Time — September to freezing weather. Tri-ch6-I5'-ma PSr-s6n-a'-tura 72 Pholiota aggericola^ Peck Reduced slightly See page 84 CratercUus cantharelUis, Schw. (Edible.) Reduced slightly Brown-spored Series Craterellus cantharellus (Edible) Cap or Pileus — Margin wavy. Yellow or pinkish yellow. Fleshy, firm, convex, then centrally depressed. Gills or Lamellce. — Blunt, running down the stem, forking many times. Stem — Solid, yellow, and smooth. Spores — Yellowish. Flesh — White, slightly stained in places. Taste slightly peppery ; no odour. Time — Summer and autumn. Habitat— S^itdvatw photographed was found grow- ing in moss and earth on an old wood road in Section of C. mixed woods. New Jersey. cantharellus Craterellus is at present classified as one of the family Theleplioracece. For convenience we have placed it under " Fungi with Gills." It is interesting, as it forms a connecting link between fam. Thelephoracece and fam. Agartcacece. GENUS AGARICUS The genus Agaricus includes all brown-spored species which have free gills and a stem with a collar. The distinctive features of several edible species may be quite satisfactorily seen by refer- ence to the table with parallel columns. Mushroom-growing is becoming quite an important industry in this country ; both professional horticulturists and amateurs successfully engage in it. It is not a difficult matter to raise the common mushroom, as the conditions necessary are easily ob- tained. Mushrooms will grow almost anywhere out of doors, and also in cellars, caves, and tunnels where a uniform and mod- erate temperature of from 50° to 60° Fahr. can be maintained. The part of a cellar devoted to mushrooms must be darkened some- what, must have a dry floor, and must be protected from wet overhead and from winds. These conditions are common in cel- lars which are rather dark, but sufficiently well ventilated not to be musty. The bed for the mushrooms is prepared in a manner Cra'-tSr-ei'-liis- Th($l-e-ph6-ra'-9e-a; A-gftr'-I-cus 73 Fungi with Gills similar to that employed in making a hot-bed, care being taken that the conditions are such that too great heat is not generated. Any one desiring to experiment will find it helpful to have the "Farmers' Bulletin," No. S3. " How to Grow Mushrooms," which may be obtained from the United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 74 Agaricus campestri, L. fedible"). Reduced. See page 76. Agaricus abruptus, Pk. (edible). Reduced. See page 77. u _l m Q O O DC I (/I 3 Q _J J ■s u o (/I a a o a a o u V ^ o ^ > c J3 J3 H Brown-spored Series UJ < ;z: m O O >- < O UJ H < O Z o O CO H < c » 3 •^^ c O 2 ^ 0) <*- n c 3 s^ ^s 0 _>» "to £ _o ^5 3 o ,1, u CO X <-s T jJ < 1 1 ? 3 -5 1 u c ' ■*-> >^ u E TO = c 4> Ci-.S E -a a ■q. CO ^ u — 0 c > I. as ^ a..„c i C^ n> 'U r-' -^ OJ r- J- •S ^2 0 _o XI 3 — < c;= 3 . V) (U "o < = 0 i« ^ >^ X 1 ii li S 3 %j vl ^ <5 ^ *j « ,■>-» •<; 't3 ^ G ^ UJ ^ en ftJ -C c !?5 > -= ^ C 0 0 2 c o ^ 3 IE "O c £ t/1 TO 0 ■o ^ IE T3 0 DC < o -4-1 TO 0 (/I p. t/) < 1 s 1 !> E ■•5 UJ '^ •»^ 1*^ ^ ^ •^ ^ ^ 1 «*-» c ^ 3 tj X3 m ^ IE c ft) 1 1 1 ,r. .' 4> < 1 :i ^2 Si V 0 :;2 2 V ■■^ •V4 C •^ *j 'G G e UJ 00 < O u < Z o o pj > O Qi. O O CO Q O o o z o o CO Z < c (IS x; 0 £ 0 < 1 i J7) 1 !> -5; X3 •5 't, Co UJ T3 ^ h- v2i — j= 3 .■t^ (0 -o ^ 0 1- •^J 3 ■*-• 0 c 0 too t/i •4^ (8 1m 0 > TO T3 0 ^ to C E >, j: c .ti 0 1 s c (0 < ^J 3 t g ^ x: 3 XI r 0 3 •5 UJ •T3 -*-« > to 3 £ C 2 0 'Sc-d c ^ E . 0 TO-a 3 tf) rt 4= c c 3 u ^ 3 '^ j:: xj 0 £ < fl 3 ■u i 3 2 ^ X •5 '■^ Q ■^ UJ 0.3 o y n O o ^^ c>2 9-3 75 Fungi with Gills Common Mushroom (Edible) AgaricUS campestris (See Plates Facing Pages 74 and 75) Cap or nieus — Silky, or with fine fibres. The young plants — "buttons" — are hemispherical or almost globose. The mature plants are convex or nearly flat. White, or tinged with dingy browns. Skin separable. Margin extending beyond the gills. GUIs or Lamellce— Delicate pink, then dark brown, covered by a veil in young plants. Crowded, rounded at the inner ex- tremity. Not attached to stem Stem or Stipe— ^N\\\\.]\s\\ brown, elliptical. Flesh — Mild, not clearly bitter, white. Time — Autumn to freezing weather. Habitat — Grows in clusters, sometimes singly, on stumps, in the woods or in the open. Six allied species of Hypholoma may be readily distinguished by reference to the table. Hy'-ph6-16'-ma Per-plex'-um 78 Pfc;r|jifc)xiiig Hypholoma (harmless). (Hypholoma perplexum, Pk.). Brown-spored Series Section of H. perplemm I— TASTE MILD OR NOT CLEARLY BITTER H. epixanthus Gray-gilled Mush- room Gills — Y e 1 1 o w, be- coming grey; neither green nor purplish. Cap — Y e Ilo w or slightly tawny on disk only. Taste — Mild. H. capnoides Gills — Grey to purple- brown. Cap — Yellow slightly tawny the disk only. Taste— m\di. or on H. perplexum Perplexing- Mush- room Gills — Yellow, green, or purple brown. Cap — Brick red, yel- low on the margin. Taste — Mild or not clearly bitter. Regarded as edible. E'-pI-xSn'-thus Cdp-noi'-des 79 Fungi with Gills II— TASTE BITTER H. elaeodes H. fasciculare Tufted Yellow Mush- room H. sublateritium Brick-red Mush- room Gills- -Green to olive. Gil Is— ^t 1 low to 6^//A— Whitish to green. sooty olive. Cap— -Brick red. Cap — Yellow tinged with tawny. Cap — Brick red. Stem- —Hollow, rusty. Stem — Hollow, yel- low. Stem — So 1 i d 0 r stuffed. Flesh- -Yellow. Flesh — Yellow. Flesh Whitish. Taste- —Bitter. Taste—^WXtX. Ta^/^— Bitter. Reputed poisonous. Reputed poisonous and edible. Uncertain Hypholoma (Edible) Hypholoma incertum Cap or P ileus — Thin, and adorned with the frag- ments of the woolly whiteveil. Opaque when dry, transparent when moist. Ovate at first, then broadly spreading, i-iy^ inches wide. G ills or Lamella' — Thin, narrow, close ; fastened to the stem at their inner extremity. White at first, then purplish brown. fragile, whitish. Margin often wavy El'-ae-o'-des FSsc'-Tc-u-la'-rS Section of H. incertum Sub-la-tSr-I'-shT-um In-9Sr'-tum 8o ax tn u ji o c •— ■* ^ ^ U) c ^■V V *« n a u CO /-^ (n n '•Z C UJ >. ■~- >v Q- •vi O •s* a H -<: ^ '-J •a O M a fT ;^ CD ^ ^ U :5 ■s N <> « "<; •d s •a 05 Brown-spored Series Stem or Stipe — Hollow, white, and slender. 1-3 inches long. Spores — Purplish brown, elliptical. Flesh — Tender. Time — Throughout a moist season. Habitat — In clusters, in lawns, gardens, thin woods, and pastures. Brick Top (Edible) Hypholoma suhlaieritium Cap or Pileus — Brick red, with pale yellowish border. Surface covered with fine silky fibres. Fleshy, firm, moist. 2)4-4 inches broad. Stem or Stipe — Creamy when young, lower part slightly tinged with red. Hollow or stuffed. Silky fibres on the surface. 2>^- 4 inches long. Gills or Lamellce — Creamy when young, olive when old. Attached to stem at innerextrem- ity. Rather n arrow, crowded, un- equal. Ring or A mm I us — None. Rem- nants of veil often seen on edge of cap. Spores — Brown. Flesh — Creamy, firm, bitter. Time — Septem- ber. Habitat— The specimen photo- graphed grew in clus- t e r s on a mossy stump Section of H. sublateritium in the open. 81 Fungi with Gills GENUS STROPHARIA There are about seven species of this genus in America. The spores are brown, there is no volva, the stem has a collar, and the lamellae are united with the stem. They have no special economic importance. GENUS PSATHYRA Two American species are reported for this genus. The spores are dark brown, there is no volva, the veil is inconspicu- ous or wanting, and the lamellae attached to the stem or notched at the inner extremity. The margin of the cap in the young plant and mature plant is always straight. GENUS PSILOCYBE Eleven American species are reported for this genus. The spores are dark brown. There is no volva, the veil is incon- spicuous or wanting, and the lamellae are attached to the stem or notched at the inner extremity. In the young plant the cap curves in at the margin. GENUS PILOSACE This genus has but one American species recorded. The spores are dark brown. There is no volva, and the veil is incon- spicuous or wanting. The lamellae are free from the stem. GENUS DECONICA But one American species is reported. This has dark brown spores, and the lamellae growing down on the stem. The veil is inconspicuous or wanting, and there is no volva. Stroph-a'-rT-a Psa-thy'-ra Psl-16-9y'-be Pi-lo-sa'-9e De-c6n'-K-ci Rusty-spored Series GENUS CHITONIA One American species is reported in this genus, Clarkeinde plana, from Nebraska. The spores are brown, and the stem has a volva at the base, but no ring. GENUS PHOLIOTA The members of this genus have rusty spores, and an annulus on the stem. There are about twenty known species, and some of these are edible. Fat Pholiota (Edible) Pholiota adipOSa (See Plate Facing Page 6i) CaJ> or P ileus — Showy, deep yellow, with little scales of reddish brown. Fleshy, firm. At first hemispherical, then convex. Sticky when moist, shiny when dry. 2-4 inches broad. Stem or Stipe — Stem yellow, gener- ally rusty at the base. Equal in diameter, or slightly thickened at the base. Stuffed or solid. Section of p. adiposa Tough. Gills or Lamellce — Yellowish, becoming rusty ; close, and at- tached to the stem. Ring or Annulus — Slightly radiating, woolly. Spores — Rusty brown. Time — September to November. Habitat — In tufts, on stumps or dead trunks of trees. Pholiota limonella, lemon-yellow pholiota, has a smaller, thinner, and more expanded cap, of a lighter yellow, with white gills. Chl-to'-nl-i PhO-lT-o'-ta Xd-T-po'-si Fungi with Gills Early Pholiota (Edible) Pholiota pra'cox Section of P. proecox Cap or Pileus — Creamy white, smooth, not shining. Very thin skin. 1-2 inches long. Stem or Stipe — Creamy white, rather scaly. Skin peels readily. Stuffed or hollow. 1-5 inches long. Gills or Lamellce — Creamy white when young, brown when mature. Soft, close, un- equal, notched at the inner extremity, and attached to the stem. Veil and Ring — Stretched like a drumhead from stem to mar- gin of cap. Variable in manner of parting. It some- times separates from cap margin, and forms a distinct ring about the stem; again, but little remains on the stem, and much on the rim of the cap. Spores — Rusty brown. Flesh — White, solid though soft, moist. Taste slightly bitter. Time — May to July. Habitat — Grassy ground specimen pictured about the roots of a tree in New Jersey. The grew poplar Pholiota aggericola (See Plate Facing Page 73) Cap or Pileus — Brown, shining when moist. Margin in older specimens finely and closelv impressed with parallel lines. Cap diameter of specimen photographed, 2 inches. Gills or Lamellce — Pale brownish when young, darker brown Pre'-cSx Ag-g-er-lc'-^-la 84 IVORY HYGROPHORUS (EDIBLE) {Hyg-rophortts ebiiryietis. Fries) Reduced. Cap diam., i inch ; stem length ^5/ inr'^es ■^fe page 6i .i EARLY PHOLIOTA (EDIBLE) (Plioliota fir (U -a > nS bjG G o •a c T3 C > D. IS Rusty-spored Series when mature. Attached to stem when young, free when older. ^^-3 inches long before expansion. Sie/n or Stipe— \N\\\Xq, smooth, hollow. 3-4 inches long. Ringor Ajinulus — Slightly adherent, or movable in the young plant ; later lying on the ground at the base of the stem, or wholly disappearing. Gills or Lame lice— Cxov^ded. White, then tinged with pink ; finally black, and dripping an inky fluid. Spores — Black, elliptical. Flesh — Fragile, tender, digestible, with nutty flavour. Time — Autumn. Habitat— Loost, rich earth. By roadsides, in pastures, and in dumping grounds. If one study the specimens of the shaggy-mane from the time it pushes its little brown head above the ground until, as a tall black umbrella, it melts away into inky blackness, he will find much that is beautiful and interesting, A little brown button may be cut with a sharp knife through- out its length to show the unexpanded gills lying close to the part which is afterwards to become the stem. An older button cut in the same way will show the gills separated from the stem and the outer cover of the cap at the lower end of the gills joined to the stem. A still older specimen will show the connection of the outer cover broken loose from the base of the gill and the torn part still remaining on the stem as a temporary collar. The outer layer of brown threads which covers the button will be found to break as the threads within expand, and to re- main in the older specimens on the surface as patches of brown threads. Underlying these are broken white threads which in a younger stage, unbroken, formed a white cover under the brown. It is these loosely hanging threads which give the shaggy ap- pearance to the cap of the mature plants and which have suggested the names of shaggy-mane, horsetails, and comatus {comatus, in Latin, meaning hairy). Co-ma'-tiis 90 UJ o UJ tn D Z q: a. O O > z Black-spored Series Inky Coprinus (Edible) Coprinus atramentarius Cap or Pileits — Cylindrical at first, broadening by degrees until it is cone-shaped. Colour greyish or greyish brown, with sug- gestions of lead colour. Smooth or with a few obscure scales on the disk. Often suffused with bloom. The mar- gin sometimes notched or lobed. Deliquescing. 1-3 inches in diameter. Stem or Stipe — Slender, smooth, whitish, hollow. Ring or Annidus — A slight vestige of one may be seen to extend around the stem near the base as an irregular zigzag ele- vated line of threads. Gills or LamellcB — Crowded. At first whitish and flocculose on the edges, then black, moist, dropping away in inky fluid. Spores— ^\^ck, elliptical. Flesh — White, quickly deliquescing. Time — Autumn. Habitat — Rich soil, waste places, woods. The form growing in the woods is much more beautiful and is known as C. atramentarius, van silvestris. See plate facing page 89. Glistening Coprinus (Edible) Coprinus micaceus Cap or Pileus — Ovate, then bell-shaped. Striations radiating from near the centre of the disk to the margin. Glistening mica-like scales cover undisturbed young specimens. 1-2 inches broad. Colour tan, light buff, or tawny yellow. Stem or Stipe — Slender, smooth, fragile, white, hollow. 1-3 inches long. Ring or Annulus — Rarely seen except in very young specimens. Gills or Lamellce — Not as crowded as in the ink cap and shaggy- mane. Colour white, then tinged with pinkish or purplish brown, finally black. Spores — Brown, elliptical. Flesh — A nutty flavour when raw. In wet weather it melts to an inky fluid. In dry weather it may dry with all parts well preserved. Time — Common during spring and early autumn. The glistening coprinus is small and beautiful, and grows in clusters on decaying woods, stumps, or buried roots. At'-r&-m^n-ta'-rl(-iis Mi-ca'-9e-fis 9» Fungi with Gills GENUS GOMPHIDIUS This genus has black spores. The lamellae are waxy, and grow downward on the stem. GENUS PSATHYRELLA The members of this genus are fleshy fungi, with black spores. They have no annulus, and the lamellae are not waxy or decurrent. The cap is striate, and the stem has a hard, tough rind. GENUS PANA'.OLUS There are six or more species of this genus in America. They have black ovoid spores, a cap smooth and not striate, a fleshy stem. GENUS LACTARIUS A milky or coloured juice exuding from the broken gills of a fungus marks it as a Lactarins. The species are mostly stout and fleshy, the cap resembling an inverted cone ; the gills are more or less decurrent, and the stem short and stout. Many of the species have a hot, acrid taste, and some have zones of colour on the surface of the cap. The spores are white or yellow. The juice exuded may be white or orange or blue. Peppery Lactarius (Edible) Lactarius piperattis Cap or Pileus — Creamy white, fleshy, firm, depressed in the cen- tre. Dry, never viscid, and uncommonly broad. 3-12 inches in diameter. Gills or Latnellcc — Creamy white, narrow, crowded, unequal, forked, decurrent. Exuding a milky juice when bruised. Milk white. Stem or Stipe — Creamy white, short, thick, solid, rounded at and slightly tapering toward the base. G6m-pMd'-T-iis Sa-tliy-rcl'-la PXn-3e'-6-ltis LSc-ta'-ri-iis Pip er-a'-tiis 92 Mycena haematopoda, Pers. See page 55. ^,1 Lactarius ligniotus, Fr. V^v. PEPPERY LACTARIUS \Lactarius piperatus., Scop. Nat. size) PEPPERY LACTARIUS (I.actarius piperatus. Scop. Nat. size) Fungi with Milky Juice L. piperatiw Veil and Annulus — None. Spores — White. Flesh — Slightly paler than the surface of the cap. Taste very pep- pery. Odour quite aromatic. Time — Summer. Habitat — Specimen pictured was found in mixed woods, among dried leaves and sticks, in New Jersey. Lactarius ligniotus Cap or Pileus — Fleshy ; brown velvety surface ; convex to plane; brittle. Gills or LamellcE — Attached to the stem, distant, unequal. Snow white to yellowish white. Milk mild and white. Stem a?id Stipe — The upper part the same colour as the cap surftice, base lighter ; hollow. Ring or Annulus — None. Spores — White. i^7j 5; CORAL HYDNUM (Hydnum coralloides. Scop.)- See p. 97 Genus Hydnum essential character is a solid, fleshy body with short protecting branches bearing numerous simple or branched teeth, which may vary in length from one-sixth of an inch to two inches. Medusa's Head (Edible) Hydnum caput-meduscB Hydnum caput-meditsce has knob-like branches, with short, distorted teeth above, and long, uniform ones below. At first it is white, but later changes to a smoky or ash colour. The change in colour from white to an ashy tint distinguishes it from H. capiit-iirsi, which changes to creamy white. Hedgehog" Hydnum (Edible) Hydnmn ecliinaceus The hedgehog hydnum is white at first, and then creamy. The branches are knob-like, and bear numerous straight, equal teeth about two inches long. Coral Hydnum (Edible) Hydnum coralloides Plant — Pure white, becoming creamy with age. Branches and Teeth — Numerous, spreading, angular or flattened. Terminal branches often curved upwards, terminating in a crowded mass of spines. Teeth, yi-Yi of an inch long. Stem — Short, dividing into branches almost from the base. Flesh — Tender, white, with agreeable taste. Time — ^July to October. Habitat — On prostrate trees in mountainous or hilly country. When a mere child, Elias Fries was so attracted by this beau- tiful coral-like fungus, which grew in his native forests in Sweden, that he was led to take up the study of fungi, and later became one of the most prominent students in that branch of botany, and laid the foundation for the study of the Basidioinyceies. Ci'-piit-me-dii'-sae Ech-T-na'-9S-fis C6r-il-loi'-des 7 97 CHAPTER VII: FAIRY CLUBS AND CORAL FUNGI— CLAVARIACE^ The fairy dubs and coral fungi belong to the family Clava' riacece. They are fleshy fungi of upright growth, which havs their spore-bearing surface exposed on the apices of branching or simple club-like forms. Many are extremely beautiful, re- sembling corals of exquisite shades of pink, violet, yellow, or white. The seven genera are distinguished by the colour of the spores, by their habit of growth — whether simple or branched, and, if branching, by the form of the branches ; whether club- like or thread-like, flat or round, cartilaginous or leathery. Many of the members of this family are edible, and none are known to be unwholesome, so that it will be safe for a beginner to try any of them. GENUS PHYSALACRIA Plant small, simple, hollow, and enlarged at the apex. GENUS PISTILLARIA Plants conspicuous, club-shaped or thread-like, with two spicules to each spore-bearing cell. GENUS TYPHULA Plants conspicuous, club-shaped or thread-like, with four spicules to each spore-bearing cell. Ciav'-ar'-l[-a'-9g-3^ Phys-i-la'-cri-a P!s-tll-la'-ri-a Typh'-u-lS 98 ♦ 1 •♦ • ■■*■ Oi c -<> a • ^wT V J f» g >• p 1 4-> < cfl ^^ a c ^5 < , > t-i a ' ™ < b "o ^-''^ F _J V 't^ 1 U tf a ^'^k <: U5 r*** ' UJ 3 v. . 2 ^ c3 r^ O I— v! 3 S ^t^ tu > 1 s: ?» H . C B bL^ wk be B 3 • V 1 O ^. ' > Genus Clavaria GENUS SPARASSIS Plants conspicuous, with the branches strongly flattened or leaf-like. Sparassis crispa somewhat resembles a yellow cauliflower, and often forms masses as large as one's hand. It is considered an excellent fungus for the table. GENUS PTERULA The members of this genus are mostly slender, thread-like forms, cartilaginous when moist, and horny when dry. GENUS LACHNOCLADIUM The members of this genus are leathery plants covered with hairs. GENUS CLAJ/ARIA The genus Clavaria is the largest genus in the family Clava- riacece. Many of the species are edible, and so easily recognised that the beginner may venture without hesitation to eat any of the branching forms. The club-like forms might be mistaken for certain club-shaped forms of the sac-fungi unless an examina- tion of the spores were made. The Clavarias would have the spores on little spicules, as in the garden mushroom, whereas the forms for which they might be mistaken would have them in membranous sacs. In collecting species of Clavaria, notes should be taken as to the character of the apices of the branches, the colour of the branches, the colour of the spores, the taste, and the place of growth. Pale Yellow Clavaria (Edible) Clavaria flava Plant— V\f\\\\& and pale yellow. 2-5 inches high ; the mass of branches 2-5 inches wide. Spa-ris'-sTs Cris'-pX T^r'-u-ia Lak-n6-cla'-dl-uin Ciav-ar'-I-a Flav'-i 99 Fairy Clubs and Coral Fungi — Clavariace^ Branches — Round, not flattened; smooth, crowded, and nearly parallel, pointing upward. Whitish or yellowish, with pale yellow tips. Branchlets terminating in from one to three blunt, tooth-like points. Stem — Short, thick, white. Spores — Yellowish. /7^^//— White, tender. Time—]\.\\y to September. Habitat — Thin woods and open places. Golden Clavaria (Edible) Clavaria aurea The plant is from three to four inches high, with the branches of a uniform deep golden yellow, and often longitudi- nally wrinkled. The stem is stout, but thinner than the Clavaria JJava, which it somewhat resembles. Red-tipped Clavaria (Edible) Clavaria botrytes Plant — From 2-5 inches high, whitish or yellow or pinkish, with the tips of the branches red. Branches — Sometimes longitudinally wrinkled, repeatedly branched. Stem — Short, thick, fleshy, whitish. Time — July to September. Habitat — Thin woods and open places. Crested Clavaria (Edible) Clavaria cristata Plant — Small, not more than i-iYz inches high. White or whitish, often faintly tinged with dull pink, or creamy yel- low, or smoky tints. Branches — Widened and flattened above, and deeply cut into several finger-like points, which may turn blackish brown when old. Stem — Slender, spongy within. Spores — White. Habitat — Woods and open places, especially in cool, shady, moist places. Au'-rg-a B6-try'-tes CrKs-ta'-tS Genus Clavana Pistil Ciavaria; Large Club (Edible) Clavaria pistillaris Of the club-shaped clavarias, the pistil clavaria is the largest. It is of a light yellow tinged with brown or red, and with soft white flesh. In shape it resembles an Indian club, being blunt and rounded at the summit, with a diameter of an inch or less, and a height of five inches or less. It is found during the summer in grassy open places or in thin woods. Clavaria fellea The clubs of this species are about one inch high, light yellow tinged with brown or red, somewhat divided by pairs from bottom to top into two forked branches. The stem is round and solid, and the branches are crowded and nearly parallel, with blunt tips, and of a uniform colour. The taste is bitter. Clavaria formosa The Clavaria formosa has a stout whitish stem, with erect branches, dividing and subdividing repeatedly, golden to pink, the branchlets obtuse. The specimen pictured grew on a fallen tree in dense mixed woods. PKs'-ttl-la'-ris Fel'-le-a F6r-m5'-sa TO! CHAPTER VIII: FUNGI WITH PORES— BOLETACE/E; POLYPORACE/E The fungi with pores naturally divide into two groups. The perishable fleshy fungi with pores easily separating from the cap and from each other make the family Boletacea^. The perishable fleshy fungi, and the leathery, corky, membranous or woody fungi, with pores pervianently united to the cap and to each other, make up the family Poly- poracece. In each the spores are borne on the linings of pores or tubes placed close ^ . , T, , together, so that on the surface of the cap they Section of a Boletus ° , ,-, , • • , ^ .-L look much like large pin pricks on a stiff cushion ; but in a sectional view, obtained by cutting the cap from the upper surface to the lower, they look like tubes placed side by side. Among the fleshy forms the genus Fistulina has the stem lateral and the tubes close together, but distinct from each other. The genus Boletus has the tubes easily separable from the cap, and the genera Boletinus and Strobilomyces have the tubes quite firmly connected. A brief comparison of essential points is given in the table. 1. Stem strictly lateral. Mouths of the tubes separated from each other Genus Fistulina 2. Stem central. Pores readily separating from the cap Genus Boletus 3. Stem central or eccentric ; fleshy. Pores in more or less radiating rows Genus Boletinus 4. Stem central, tough. Pores uniform. Cap woody Genus Strobilomyces GENUS FISTULINA The genus Fistulina contains one notable species, Fistulina hepaiica, so called from its resemblance to a liver. In its early stages it somewhat resembles a strawberry, and later it may B6-l«-ta'-95-^ FIs-tQ-ir-na B6-le-tl'-nus P6'-ly-p6-ra'-9f-ae B6-le'-tus Stro-Ml-6'-my-9es I02 Genus Boletinus have the appearance of a big red tongue protruding from a tree truni^, so that the French call it langiie de boenf. It is often called vegetable beefsteak, from the flesh-like fibre and colour of the fresh specimens. When young, the upper side is velvety and of a fine peach colour ; later it becomes liver red and loses the velvety appearance ; the under surface is flesh coloured, and is rough, much like the surface of a tongue, ov^ing to the fact that the tubes are free from one another. GENUS BOLETINUS The spore-bearing surface of the genus Boletinus is com- posed of broad, radiating lamellae connected by numerous nar- row partitions so as to form large angular pores. The tubes are not easily separable from each other and from the portion on which they are borne. They are yellowish in colour, and grow downward somewhat on the stem. The genera may be distin- guished by the following table: 1 . Stem hollow Boletinus cavipes 2. Stem solid, lateral, or eccentric Boletinus porosus 3. Stem solid, central. Cap pale yellow and silky Boletinus decipiens 4. Stem solid, central. Cap red Boletinus paluster 5. Stem solid, central. Cap with red scales Boletinus pictus Painted Boletinus (Edible) Boletinus pictus Cap or Pileus — Convex or nearly plane ; at first covered with red matted fibres, which soon divide into small scales, so as to reveal the yellow colour of the cap beneath. 2-4 inches wide. Tu/>es — Pale yellow, or pale yellow tinged with brown. Not easily separated from the cap. Vet/ — Webby, concealing the tubes of the young plant. S/em or Stipe — Solid, with scales and colour similar to those of the cap. 1 J^-3 inches long. Ring or Annuius. — Webby; evident in some specimens. Spores — Pale yellow tinged with brown. /y^i-//— Yellowish, often assuming reddish tints when bruised. Habitat — Woods and mossy swamps. Civ'-I-pes P6-r6'-sus De-^lp'-T-^ns Pa-ltls'-t^r Plc'-tiis 103 Fungi with Pores— Boletaceae GENUS BOLETUS The species in the genus Boletus are numerous, and many are extremely beautiful. They are distinguished from the other pore-bearing fungi by the fact that their tubes are easily separable from each other and from the portion on which they are borne. They are to be looked for in the warmest part of the season, and with a few exceptions will be found on the ground. As it is difficult to dry specimens so that they will retain their size, shape, and colour, careful notes should be taken of these points, together with the colour of the spores, the colour of the tubes, the colour of the flesh before and after being bruised, the char- acter of the stem, the presence or absence of hairs and fibres on the several parts of the plant. The genus Boletus contains many edible species, and also many which are dangerous ; and as the recognition of the different species is a difficult matter, even for experts, the beginner should be especially cautious. In general it will be well to avoid for edible purposes all Boleti which change colour on exposure to the air or on being pressed; all those which have red-mouthed tubes, or mouths of a deeper colour than the rest of the tube ; and all those with a peppery or acrid taste. Experiment cautiously with the other species. A detailed description of the species is out of the question in this book; for such the reader must refer to " Boleti of the United States,"* or to " Fuhrer far Pilzfreunde."t Boletus glabellus Cap — Smoky yellow. Flesh — White, changing to blue ivhen wounded. Tubes — Brownish yellow tinged with green, changing to blue when wounded. ^/^w— Reddish at the base, pallid above, with a narrow reddish circumscribing :(otie or line at the top. Habitat — Grassy ground. Gla-bel'-lus * Bulletin, New York State Museum, No. 8, 1888. This can be obtained at a small price of the State Librarian at Albany, New York. In it are described one hundred and ten species. f By Edmund Michael. A book in German, with sixty-eight coloured plates. 104 ''"W^7!S. ! CONE-LIKE BOLETUS (EDIBLE, Mel.) (Strobilontyces strobilaceus. Berk.) Purplish black ; flesh white, chanpinu to red when bruised. See p. 102 •r ^—f^ Painted Boletinus (edible). (Boletinus pictus, Pk.). Spreading Hydnum (^ediblej. (Hydnum repandum, L.). See page 95. Genus Boletus Boletus bicolor Cap — Dark red, fading when old ; often marked with yellow. Flesh — Yellow, slowly changing to blue when wounded. Tubes — Bright yellow, changing to blue. Stent — Solid, red, generally yellow at the top. Habitat — Woods and open places. Boletus cyanescens Cap — Pale buff or greyish yellow. Covered with woolly scales, two-fifths of an inch wide. Flesh — White, quickly changing to blue when wounded. Tubes — White, becoming yellowish, changing to blue when bruised. Stem — Coloured like the cap. Swollen, stuffed, not covered with a network. Habitat— "W oods and open places. Boletus pallidus Cap — Pallid or brownish white, sometimes tinged with red. ^/^;f>^— White. Tubes — Pale whitish yellow, changing to blue when wounded. Stefn — Long and whitish, sometimes streaked with brown ; smooth. Boletus mutabilis Cap — Brown, becoming blackish ; smooth and shining ; or dry, somewhat woolly. Flesh — Bright yellow, promptly changing to blue when wounded. Tubes — Yellow, changing to greenish yellow, and quickly be- coming blue 7vhen zcounded. Mouths large and angular. Stem — Stout, bright yellow within, covered with broivn and dotted scales. Habitat — Dense woods. Boletus speciosus Cap — Red. 3-7 inches broad. Flesh — Pale or bright lemon yellow, changing to blue when wounded. Bi'-co-lSr Qy-an-^s'-9ens I'Sl'-U-dus Mu-ti'-bl-Us Spe-9l-o'-sus 105 Fungi with Pores — Boletaceae Tubes — Bright lemon yellow, becoming dingy yellow with age; changing to green, then to blue, when wounded. Sfem — Bright lemon yellow without and within, sometimes reddish at the base. 2-4 inches long. Habitat — Thin woods. Golden-flesh Boletus Boletus chrysenteron (See Plate Facing Page 60) Cap — Yellowish brown, reddish brown, brick red, or olive tinted with reddish chinks. Flesh — Yellow, red just under the skin, often changing to blue when wounded. Ti/bcs — Greenish yellow, changing to blue when wounded. Stem — Red or pale yellow. Habitat — Woods or mossy banks, common. Boletus radicans Cap — Dry, somewhat woolly. Greenish grey, becoming pale yel- low. Margin rolled under. Flesh — Pale yellow, \ns\.2in\.\y changing to dark blue when wounded. Tubes — Lemon yellow. Stem — Tapering downward and rooting. Woolly, with a reddish bloom. Pale yellow, becoming dark with a touch. Habitat — Woods, Ohio. Boletus Peckil C«/— Firm, dry. Red, fading to yellowish red or buff brown. 2'iibes — Yellow, changing to blue when wounded. Stem — Red; yellow at the top. Habitat — Woods. Boletus calopus Cap—0\\\t tinted, somewhat woolly. 2-3 inches wide. Flesh — P.illid, slightly changing to blue when wounded. Tubes — Yellow. 6"/,?/;/— Covered with a network. Wholly scarlet, or at the apex only. Longer than the diameter of the cap. Habita t — W O O d s . Cris-^n'-t€r-6n Ri'-dl-cans P^ck'-K-I Cai-6'.pus 106 ^ ' ,^ M BITTER BOLETUS (UNPALATABLE) {Boletus /cUciis, Bull. ; var. obesus, Pk.)- See p. 107 Genus Boletus Purple Boletus Boletus piirpureus Cap — Dry, velvety. Purple red. Flesh— Changing to blue, and then to dark yellow in the young plant. Tubes — Yellow or greenish yellow. Mouths minute, orange tinged with purple, changing to blue where wounded. Siem — Stout, with purple veins or dots. Apex sometimes covered with a network. Yellow, reddish within. Habitat — Woods. Boletus Satanus Cap — Smooth, somewhat sticky. Pale brown or whitish. 3-8 inches broad. Fiesh — Whitish, becoming red- dish or violet when wounded. l^ery poison- ous. Tubes — Yellow. Mouths bright- red, becoming orange. Stem — Thick, swollen, marked above with a red netv/ork. 2-^ inches long. Habitat — Woods. B. Satanus Bitter Boletus Boletus felleus C«/— Smooth, pale yellowish, greyish brown, yellowish brown, reddish brown, or chestnut. 3-8 inches broad. Fksh — White, changing to flesh colour when bruised. Taste bitter. Tubes — White, becoming flesh colour. Mouths angular. Adnata to the stem. Ste7n — Covered with network. Colour similar to the cap. 2-4 inches long. Habitat — Woods and open places. Ptlr-pu'-re-fis Sa-tS'-nfis 107 FSI'-le-Qs Fungi with Pores— Boletaceae Boletus scaber Cap — Smooth, viscid Tchcn moist, or minutely wool!}', velvety, or scaly. 1-5 inches wide. Colour ranges from nearly white to almost black. Tubes — Free from the stem, white, long. Mouths minute. Flesh— y^\\\Xe. Stem — Long, ground colour whitish, roughened ivith blackish brown or reddish dots or scales. 3-5 inches long. Habitat — Common in woods, swampy and open places. Orange-cap Boletus Boletus versipellis Cap — Orange red. 2-6 inches wide. Dry, minutely woolly, then scaly or smooth. Margin edged with the remains of the veil. Flesh — White or greyish. Tubes — Long. Mouths minute. Greyish-white. Stem — Solid ; white scaly wrinkles. Whitish colour. 3-5 inches long. Habitat — Woods and open places. Chestnut Boletus Boletus castaneus Cap — Dry, minutely velvety. Cinnamon or reddish-brown. 1-3 inches broad. Flesh— \N\\\it. Ttibes—V\/\\\Xe, becoming yellow. Short, and free from the stem. StejH — Clothed and coloured like the cap. \-2y2 inches high. Habitat — Woods and open places. Boletus eximius Cap — Purplish-brown or chocolate colour, fading to smoky red or pale chestnut. 3-10 inches broad. Flesh — Greyish or reddish white. Tubes — Resembling the cap in colour. Mouths minute. Stetn — Stout, covered with a meal-like powder. Colour resembling the cap, grey tinged with purple within. 2-4 inches long. Habitat — Woods. Sca'-ber Ver-sI-pel'-lTs Cis-ta'-ne-iis Ex-im'-I-us loS SCABROUS-STEMMED BOLETUS ^EDIBLE) (Boletus scaber, Fr. ; var. niveus. Gill.) Cap white. See p. io8 Fungi with Pores — Polyporaceae Edible Boletus Boletus editlis Cap — Convex or nearly plane; smooth, moist; compact, then soft. Greyish red, brownish red, or tawny brown. 4-6 inches broad. Flesh — White or yellowish; reddish beneath the skin. Tubes — Convex, nearly free, long, minute, round. White, then yellow and greenish. Sie?n — Short or long, straight or curving, sometimes bulbous, stout, covered with network. Just beneath the stem whitish or brownish. 2-6 inches long. Habitat — Woods and open places. Boletus subtomentosus Cap — Covered with soft woolly hairs. Somewhat olive green, uniform in colour under the skin, yellow chinks on the sur- face. Flesh— V\/\\\\.e. Tubes — Yellow, with large angular mouths. Stem — Stout, rugged, with minute dots. Habitat — Common in woods. Boletus Americanus Cap — Thin, soft, viscid, slightly woolly on the margin when young. Yellow, becoming dingy with age; sometimes streaked with bright red. 1-3 inches broad. Flesh — Pale yellow. Tubes — Not free from the stem. Large, angular. Pale yellow, becoming tinged with brown. Stem — Slender. No annulus. Yellow, brownish towards the base, marked with numerous brown or reddish-brown glandular dots; yellow within. lY^-iyi inches long. Habitat — Woods, swamps. POLYPORACEy^ The fungi with pores permanently united to the surrounding tissue and to each other form a large and important group, the Polyporacea'. With but few exceptions they are leathery, corky, membranous, or woody. Nearly six hundred species have been reported from America. Ed'-u-IIs Siib'-to-m^n-to'-sus A-mcr'-!-ca'-nus Po -IJ'-pS-ra -9S-JE lop Fungi with Pores — Polyporaceae GENUS MERULIUS Merulius lacrymans The simplest of these Polyporacea' is the dry-rot fungus, Merulius lacrymans. The food-seeking portion consists of fine white threads, mycelium, which penetrate the woodwork of buildings, causing it to crumble to dust. The fruiting portion consists of flat, irregular bodies whose under surface bears the spores in shallow pits separated by narrow ridges. Water is excreted from these flat disks, which, from the habit of dropping like tears, has suggested the specific name lacrymans, from the Latin lacrytnare, to weep. GENUS POLYPORUS The genus Polyporus and the genus Trametes have the pores closely packed and united to together. In Trametes the uniting substance is the same as the substance of the cap, but in Poly- porus the uniting substance is different from the substance of the cap. The genus Polyporus in its widest sense is a large, one, numbering some five hundred species, and containing every texture from fleshy or pulpy to woody. The fruiting portion is often seen in the form of brackets shelving out from standing or fallen trees. The mycelium pene- trates the wood, softening it, and causing it to crumble, so that in the course of time the tree dies. The external evidence that the tree has been attacked is the appearance of the fruiting por- tion, which often attains a very great size. Eifvlngia (polyporus) megaloma Polyporus megaloma is attractive to frequenters of the woods, as its spore surface when fresh is soft anj white, and furnishes an attractive surface for stencil drawings. Eifvlngia (polyporus) fomentaria The brackets of Eifvlngia fomentaria resemble horses' hoofs. They are employed in the manufacture of amadou, or Mer-u'-ll-iis Lac'-ry-mSns P6-Iyp'-6-rus Tra-me'-tes M^g-a-l6'-mi F5-ra6n-ta'-d-us no 5. y s 'ir-«»cdf^ ■ mi /e'^ .:X^:^^ TINDERWOOD POLYPORUS (Elfingia fotnentaria.l^.; Fomes /omentarius. Gill.; Polyporus fomentarius, Fr.) Upper surface grey to brown ; tube-surface concave. Sec p. .'i'~ Genus Polyporus German tinder, which, in the form of sticks or fusees, commonly known as punk, is used for lighting cigars and pipes in the wind, or for touching off fireworks. The fusees are made by beating the fungus substance until it is flexible, and then dipping it into saltpetre, Polyporus conchatus Polyporus conchatus is a beautiful species found on the under side of fallen trees, growing in such a manner that from the spore-bearing surface the shells look like rosettes of shim- mering golden-brown velvet. Polyporus velutinus Polvporus velutinus is common in the form of stiff ruffles with white or creamy spore surface, and grey or tan-coloured plush-like upper surface. Polyporus pergamenus Polyporus pergamenus has a somewhat bristle-like, tan- coloured spore surface, and a velvety drab upper surface, often tinged with green from a green alga which grows upon it. Polyporus perennis Polyporus per enn is resembles a slender-stemmed goblet. Polyporus sulphureus Polyporus sulphureus is an edible fleshy form. It grows in clusters, the stemless caps often five or six inches broad and overlapping. The colour of the young cap is yellowish red or pale orange, with the margin wavy, and of a beautiful yellow. It is soft and juicy, and often — when cut — exudes a yellow juice. The plants may be found on the dead wood of trees during showery weather from May to October. The mature plants become dry and crumbling, and as they dry they lose C6n-cha'-tus V^l-u'-tl-nus Pcr-gi-me'-niis P^r-^n'-nTs SCil-phu'-r£-us I I I Fungi with Pores — Polyporaceae their attractive colours. They exhibit phosphorescence in early stages of decay. The tubes are minute and short and of a bright sulphur colour. Only the young plants should be used for food. Polyporus squamosus Polvponis squamosus is found often on decayed ash trees and sometimes on others. The cap has a thick lateral dark stem and is pale yellow tinged with brown, and covered with dark scales. It is reported to have been found seven feet in circumference, with a weight of forty-two pounds, and that it attained this growth in the short time of four weeks. Polyporus lucidus Polyporus lucidus has a lateral stem which, with all but the margin of the cap, is highly polished, as if varnished, and is in colour a rich mahogany brown. Polyporus arCUlariuS (See Plate Facing Page 142) Cap — Dark brown, minutely scaly, depressed in the centre; margin stiff, edge hairy, no flesh. Tubes — Dingy cream colour. Openings oblong, almost diamond- shape, resembling the meshes of a net, drawn from stem to the margin of the cap, the meshes smaller on the margin, and simply marked out at the top of the stem. 6'/(fw— Dark brown, minutely scaly, mottled, with a ground work of cream colour. Older stems are roughened at the base with whitish hairs. Hollow. Spores — Creamy white. Habitat — The specimen pictured was found growing on decayed branches of an oak tree in North Carolina. Polyporus versicolor* Polyporus versicolor has a leathery cap, thin and rigid, plane, depressed at the attached portion, velvety, shining with varie- gated two-coloured zones. The pores are minute, round, with acute and ragged edges. White, then yellowish. It is common on decaying tree trunks and upon telegraph poles. Squa-mo-stis Lu'-9i-dus Ar-cu-la'-rl-iis Ver-sIc'-6-15r * Known also as Polystictus versicolor 112 Polyporus versicolor, Fr. Polyporus circinatus, Fr. See page 1 13 Lenzites betulina, Fr. See page 1 13 Genus Lenzites PoIypOrUS CircinatuS (See Plate Facing Page 112) Polyporus circinaius quite often has one cap within another. The caps are thick, round, without zones, velvety, and of a rusty-yellow colour. The lower surfaces of the caps, with the stejns are woody and corky, but the upper surfaces of the caps are soft and woolly. The stem is swollen and covered with yellow wool. The pores are decurrent, minute, and un- broken, and of a dusky grey colour. This is a handsome species, especially remarkable for its double cap. The stem is an inch long and almost equally thick. The cap is three to four inches wide, and the flesh is uniform in colour. GENUS TRAMETES Trameies pini is brown, and grows on pines and other cone- bearing trees. Trameies cinnabarina is bright red, and common on birch and cherry. Trameies suaveoiens is white, and grows on willows. GENUS LENZITES Lenzites betulina The Lenities betulina has a somewhat corky, leathery cap, firm, and without zones, woolly and pale; the mar- gin of uniform colour; the lamellae radial, somewhat branching, and coming to- gether again. Sordid white. This fungus, in the form of brackets, is found espe- cially on birch trees, but it is also found on various other kinds. It is a wide- spread species, and is quite variable. The lamellae are white; then thinner, with acute edges. ^Tr-ft-na'-tus I'l'-ni CIn'-nS-b;l-n'-n.^ Sii-a-vc'-6-l,cns 8 113 Under surface of L. betul.na at first thick, corky, and sordid Len-zl'-tcs B^t-u-lT -nS Fungi with Pores— Polyporaceae Lenzites sepiria Leathery shells, with the upper surface marked with rough zones of various shades of brown: the under surface with brown, radiating, papery gills. GENUS D/EDAIEA The genus Dcedalea has the spore-bearing surface in the form of winding and labyrinthine lamellae, so that instead of pores there are irregular branching slits on the under surface. These fungi are normally sessile, woody, and hard. Dsedalea unicolor Dcedalea unicolor is in form like a full leather ruffle with scalloped edge, so full that the scallops overlap. The branching slits are very minute, and the upper side is in zones of tan colour, with a plush-like surface. The zones are often tinged with blue or green from algae which grow upon them. Daedalea confragosa Dxdalea confragosa has a rough grey upper surface, and grows from the centre in the form of depressed sessile caps. The texture is firm and leathery. Daedalea quercina Dcedalea quercina is a woody or corky species, rugged, and without zones on the surface. At first it is porous ; then, by the breaking down of the walls of the pores, slits are formed, with blunt partitions. It is common on oak trees. Se-pl'-ri-a Da-da'-le-a CSn'-frS-gd'-sa Quer-sl'-ni 114 #5ssv ' *■, D4-i inch. Inner Coat — Ovoid, X-i i"ch in diameter, white to pale brown, with a distinct pedicel, seated in a plain circular disk. Mouth — Lifted on a cone, lip bordered with hair-like fringe. Spores — Brown, globe-shaped, minutely warted. Threads — Transparent. Habitat — Grassy grounds. Water-measuring Earth-star Geaster hygrometricus Peridium or /5?«r/i— Sub-globose, depressed, the bark or skin fall- ing with the mycelium. Bark or Outer C^^/— Deeply parted; the segments, acute at the apex, seven to twenty. Strongly hygrometric, expanding to a breadth of 2-3 inches. Inner Coat — Globose, depressed, sessile, covered with a network. Whitish or greyish. Mouth — Rim irregular. Spores — Brown, globe-shaped, minutely warted. Threads — Transparent, much branched and interwoven ; continu- ous with the hyphae or threads of the inner coat. Habitat — Fields and woods, in sandy soil. The Geaster hygrometricus, or Astrmis hygrometricus as it is called by some, is found all over the world. When the Mln'-T-miis Hy'-gro-met'-rl-cus 130 Calostoma Ravenelii (Berk.) Mass. Calostoma lutesceiis (Scliw.j, Burnap. Calostoma cinnabarinum, Desv. Spathularia velutipes, C. &. F. Reduced. See page I38». Oenus Calostoma weather is wet, the lining of the points of the star become gelati- nous and lie flat on the ground, anchoring the plant firmly ; but when the weather is dry, the soft, gelatinous part becomes hard and rigid, and curls the segments up around the inner ball; then the wind rolls it about, and it scatters its spores from the hole in the apex of the ball as it rolls. It is a fair-weather traveller, always resting at night and on damp days.. GENUS CALOSTOMA This genus has but three known American species. The plants are remarkable in structure and substance. The spore mass or gleba lies at the centre of a base, and is in its young stages surrounded by four layers. The outermost coat is gelati- nous, and soon disappears. This is known as the volva or wrapper. The layer just within the wrapper also soon disap- pears ; it is known as the exoperidium. The layer just within the exoperidium is known as the endoperidium, and is the layer seen on the exterior of older specimens. Between the exope- ridium and endoperidium is a layer of red threads, part of which is torn away when the exoperidium breaks, and a part of which remains as a red star at the apex of the ball. The exoperidium is cartilaginous ; it is thin and fragile when dry, but when wet it is flexible, translucent, and soft. The endoperidium is hard and rigid when dry, and is conspicuous for the brilliant red which shows at its mouth. Within the endo- peridium is a sac which contains the spores ; when the spores are mature, this sac contracts, and forces the spores out into the air. The mycelium, or vegetative part of the Calostoma plant, is composed of numerous cord-like fibres, translucent, jelly-like, and tough, which, branching and anastomosing into a dense net- work, form a rooting columnar base to the spore-bearing part of the plant. The name Calostoma means beautiful mouth, referring to the red star which surrounds the opening through which the spores escape. Cai-6s'-t6-ma 131 Puffballs Calostoma lutescens Ball or Peridium — Globular, with a thick, entangled, rooting base. Outer Coat or Exoperidium — Dingy yellow, rupturing so as to form a ragged collar at the base, a thin cap on the summit, and small fragments between. The cap is marked on the under side with a vermilion star outlined with yellow. Inner Coat or Endoperidiutn — Smooth, globular. Pale yellow. Mouth — With several rays of a bright red colour. Footstalk — Thick, of entangled strands finer than those of C cin- naharinum. Stem long, yellowish green. Spores — Globular, with protuberances. Calostoma Ravenelil Bailor Peridium — Globular, with a thick, entangled, rooting base. Outer Coat or Exoperidium — Cartilaginous, gelatinous. Fragments remain upon the inner coat in the form of irregular warts or scales. lujier Coat or Endoperidiuin — Yellowish. Tough when wet, rigid when dry. Mouth — Red starred. Footstalk — Short and rooting, composed of mycelial threads netted to form cartilaginous cords. Spores — Elliptical, oblong, smooth. Calostoma cinnabarlnum Outer Coat or Exoperidium — Vermilion within, breaking at the base and sometimes at the apex. Inner Coat or Endoperidium — Yellowish, often slightly vermilion. Smooth. Mouth — Rays several. Vermilion. Footstalk — Reddish brown or brownish. Spores — Elliptical oblong, spined or punctured, pale ochre yellow. LQ-tes'-9ens Rl'-vSn-el'-t-i Cln'-ni-bi-rl'-num 132 LEAST EARTH-STAR {Geaster ininiimis, Schw. Nat. size^ WATER-MEASURING EARTH-STAR (Geaster hygrometricus, Pers. Nat. size) BIRD'S NEST (jCyaihus z'ernicosus, D. C. Nat. size) See page 133 Genus Scleroderma ORDER NIDULARIALES The members of this order, Nidulariales, or bird's-nest fungi, are curious fungi of small size. They resemble, when mature, tiny birds' nests containing eggs, as the pouch in which the spores are developed opens at the top to form a nest or bowl or trumpet, and the globular cases in which the spores are contained have strong walls, and remain in the open pouch like eggs in a nest. One genus of the order, Sphcerobolus, has two walls or layers to its nest and but one spore case or "egg." This "egg" is jelly-like, and is forcibly thrown from the nest when the spores in it are mature. While a part of this action is due to the mechan- ical working of the teeth, it is thought that underneath the spore case gases are formed which expand, and so help force out the "egg." The other genera have but one wall to their nests. The genus Nidiilaria has ragged edges, the genus Cyathns is trumpet- shaped, and the genus Crucibuliim is bowl-shaped. ORDER SCLERODERMA TALES The puffballs of the order Sclerodermatales have the rind or peridium thick. The spores remain in the peridium until maturity, when they escape from an irregular opening in the rind. The species are not numerous, but some are abundant and widely distributed. GENUS SCLERODERMA The species of the genus Sc/erodcniia, or thick-skinned puff- balls, represent a transition from the subterranean forms to those which emerge from the ground and have a definite opening from which they eject their spores. To illustrate : there is one group {Hymenogastrales) in which the species remain in the ground, NTd-u-ia'-rl-a-les NTd-u-li'-rT-a Cru-fTb'-u-liim Scier-fi-der'-ma Sphe-r6b'-6-I-as gy-S-thfis Scldr'-d-der'-mS-ta'-les 133 Puffballs even when mature, unless washed out by rains or nosed out by animals, and which rely upon being crushed by accident or upon the disintegration of their rinds to free their spores. All true puff- balls push themselves out of the ground before the spores are mature, and then, by rupturing the skin in a definite manner when mature, disperse their spores. The thick-skinned puff- ball goes a step farther than the first mentioned and emerges from the ground; but it remains behind the true puffballs, which disperse their spores from a definite opening, for it ruptures the skin irregularly. Scleroderma vulgare (Edible) Peridium or Pouch — Rough and warty; depressed, globose. Pinkish to buff, remaining solid until the fungus is quite old. Sessile or with a rooting base. Ruptures irregularly to scatter the spores. Subgleba — N one. Spore Mass — Lead colour marbled with white. Habitat — Old stumps and buried roots. This fungus has been eaten without harm, but is pronounced very unattractive. Viil-ga'-re Section of S. vulgare 134 FLESH-COLOURED PUFFBALL (EDIBLE) (Lycoperdon subincarnatum^ Peck) See page 125 YOUNG PEAR-SHAPED PUFFB;. ^ . l. .BLE) (Lycoperdon pyri/onne, Schaeff) See page 125 di^^^K — ^ ^ *■ ^^' HARD. SKINNED PUFFBALL iSclerodertn* vulgare. Fries) CHAPTER XII: SPORE-SAC FUNGI— ASCOMYCETES All the fungi which belong in the class Ascomycetes de- velop their spores in little membranous sacs called asci. These asci are, as a rule, collected, together with slender empty asci, called para- physes, in variously shaped bodies, known in different orders by different names, such as perithecium, ascoma, apothecium, and receptacle. This class includes in its numbers individuals ranging in size from microscopic one- celled plants to conspicuous and often beautiful specimens. We shall con- cern ourselves with but a few of those conspicuous ones which are attractive either from an edible or an artistic standpoint. Asci and paraphyses ORDER TUBERALES— TRUFFLES The order Tuberales contains the truffies, which are subter- ranean fungi, ranging in size from an acorn to a good-sized po- tato. The asci or spore-sacs are formed on the inte- rior of the fungus, the warty truffle itself being called an as- coma, as it contains the asci. Since the time of Pliny and Dioscorides, truffles have been known and esteemed as a table delicacy. Since they mature As'-cft-my-ce' -les Tu'-b^r-a'-Ics 135 Section to show position of asci Truffles, ascoma Spore-sac Fungi — Ascomycetes underground, they must be hunted for by dogs and pigs trained for the purpose. A pig will scent a truffle at a distance of twenty feet, and will run quickly to the spot to dig it out with her snout. An attendant must follow the pig to secure the truffle before the pig eats it. Edible species have not been found growing in this country. ORDER HYPOCREALES The order Hypocreales contains certain fungi which are parasitic on other fungi, and also on insects. In the genus Cordyceps there is a club-like form about an inch long, and of a rich red colour, which lives as a parasite on the ^ pupae of various moths buried beneath dead leaves, in New Zealand a similar fungus lives on caterpillars. The mycelium in time replaces the body, but maintains out- wardly the form and appearance of the caterpillar. These growths are much prized by the natives as food. The form which grows on the truffie-like ElapJiomyces is shown in the species of Elaphomyces upon which the Cordy- ceps lives as a parasite grow two or three inches below the surface of the ground, and somewhat resembles a truffle in appearance. ORDER SPH^RIALES (See Plate Facing Page 1 16) The Xylaria pictured is a woody fungus which is common, growing on logs or at the bases of trees or stumps. The collections of asci {periiheda) are fully im- bedded in the fleshy part of the fungus {stroma), which is formed almost wholly of Fungus growing on caterpillar hardened mycelium. Hy-p6-cre-a'-les C6r'-dy-yeps E'-laph-6'-my-ces Sphe-rt-a'-les Zy-Ia'-rt-J -^ ^ Cordyceps capitala (Holmsk.), Lk. (Parasitic on Elaphomyces.) Reduced. 'S^EJ Lycogala epidendron. Reduced. See page 144. ^ Floccose Chanterelle (edible). (Cantharellus floccosus, Schw.) See page 53. Mutinus Caninus, Huds. S •>' pag<' 120. SLIPPERY LEOTIA (EDIBLE' {Leotia lubrica (Scop.), Pers.) Gelatinous, gristly; spore-bearing body (ascama), green or yellow; stem yellow Family, Geoglossacea. Class, Ascomycetes. Order, Helrellales. See p. 138 JELLY-LIKE TREMELLODON (EDIBLE, Mel.) {Tremellodon gelatinosuin) Surface white to grey: teeth white. Class, Basidiomycetes. Order, Tremellahs. See Genus, p. 116 Order Pezizales— Cup Fungi ORDER PEZIZALES-CUP FUNGI The Pe^iiales or cup fungi, which are typically disk or cup- shape, comprise an extensive group, and vary in size from forms scarcely visible to the naked eye to forms several inches in diameter. One genus, Pe{7\a, has a smooth ascomata, regularly saucer-shaped or cup-shaped. The genus contains many species which are met with chiefly on decaying vegetable matter. The spore-sacs are situated on the upper surfaces of the cups, and the spores are ejected with such force and in such profusion that they form a cloud around the plant from which they are expelled. Peii{a cvruginosa is a stalked green form, and is interesting because it permeates the wood of oaks and beeches with its mycelium, and gives a rich green colour to the wood, which makes it valuable for the manufacture of the famous "Tunbridge ware." One may often find the wood affected when the fruit cups are not evident. Pe^i'ia ]Villkommii produces on larch trees a disease known as the "larch canker," which shows itself as a sunken, blistered hole from which resin flows. This patch is formed because the mycelium of the fungus attacks and destroys the cambium or green layer which lies under the brown bark, and since this is the tissue which builds up the wood of the trees, the growth of wood in this part is prevented. The fruits appear above the bark in the form of little cups, white outside and scarlet within. When branches bearing golden-yellow needles are seen among the fresh green shoots of a larch, pre- maturely giving to the tree an autumnal appearance, one may expect to find Pe^i^a Willhommii at work. Peziza odorata (Edible) Cup — Yellowish, translucent, becoming dull brown when old. The flesh is moist and watery, and separable into two layers; the outer layer rough, and the inner smooth. The frame is cup-shaped when young, but flattened and split on the mar- gin when old. E'-ru-gIn-o'-s3. WIl-k6m'-T-I 6'-d6r-a'-tS Section to show two layers Spore-sac Fungi — Ascomycetes Stem — None. Habitat — The specimen pictured was found in December, among tile violets in a cold frame in New Jersey. I Golden Peziza (Edible) Pe\i:{a auraniia Cup — Orange red witliin, golden or whitish outside, with a frosted appearance, Subsessile, irregular. Habitat — In clusters on the ground, usually in the autumn. ORDER HELJ/ELLALES— EARTH-TONGUES The order Helvellales contains the fleshy spore-sac fungi which have the spore-bearing body, the ascoma, open from the earliest stage of its development. FAMILY GEOGLOSSACEy€ The fiimily GeoglossaceiT, which belongs to this order, con- tains the earth-tongues, which are club-like forms, green or black or yellow, and from one to three inches high, common on the ground, growing in rich wood mould. In consistency they are fleshy, gelatinous, or waxy, and their asci open by means of a terminal pore. GENUS SPATHULARIA The genus Spathularia has the spore body flattened and growing down both sides of the stem. Velvety Spathularia Spathularia velutipes (See Plate Facing Page 132) Spore Body — Flattened, tawny yellow, shaped like a spatula, with the spore surface wavy and growing down two sides of the stem. Stem — Hollow, minutely velvety, dark brown tinged with yellow. F/esh — Firm and tough, shrinking little in drying. Habitat — Mossy trunks in damp woods. Au-rin'-shT-a Ve-lu'-tT-pes 138 Golden Pezlza (edible). (Peziza aurantia, Pers.) Peziza odorata. Pk. (edible). Reduced. See page 137. Genus Vibrlssea Spathularia clavata Spore Body — Clear yellow, shaped like a spatula, sometimes tinged with red. Obtuse or cleft at the apex, the surface wavy, the margin crisped, growing down the stem some distance on opposite sides ; hollow. Stem — Thick, hollow. White, often becoming yellowish. Flesh — Dry. GEKIUS GEOGLOSSUM The genus Geoglossum has the spore body simple, erect, and club-shaped, and entirely black. The spore surface is ter- minal. Geoglossum hirsutum Geoglossum hirsutum is black, dry, and everywhere velvety. Lanceolate, ovate, oblong, or almost round, often irregular. The spore-bearing portion is one-quarter to one-half the length of the fungus. Geogrlossum glabrum Geoglossum glabrum is dry, black, or brownish black, some- times tinged with olive or purple. Club-shaped or sometimes laterally compressed. The spore-bearing portion not sharply distinct from the stem below. GENUS yiBRISSEA The genus Vibrissea contains fungi with vertical and simple stems, and horizontal caps with their thick margins rolled in to- ward the stem. The spore-sacs are borne on the upper surface. Vibrlssea truncorum Vibrissea truncorum is a clear orange-red or sometimes yel- low or brownish-red fungus, about an inch high, found on decayed wood, branches, or leaves which are submerged in water. Ciav-a'-ta Hlr-su'-ttim VT-bris'-sg-S Ge-5-gl6s'-sftm Gla-brum Trtn-c5'-rtira spore-sac Fungi — Ascomycetes Vibrissea circinans Vibrissea circinans'xs a pale yellowish flesh colour, or simply yellowish fleshy fungus found growing in circles or clusters, with convex caps and incurved, wavy margins, the concave under surface often minutely wrinkled. The stem is long, pallid, or reddish. The plant is found chiefly in pine woods. GENUS MITRULA The genus Miirula has the spore body erect, black or bright coloured, and dry, spatulate, or cylindrical, often compressed lat- erally. The spore-bearing surface is sharply distinct from the scaly or mealy stem below. Irregular Mitrula (Edible) Miirula viieilina, var. irregularis * Spore Body — Bright eg^ yellow. Club-shaped, somewhat lobed, cylindrical or compressed ; apex narrow, obtuse, smooth. No two plants are quite alike. Length, 1-2 inches. Stem — Short, white, rather distinct, covered with fibres. Spongy and white within. Habitat — ^In mossy places in woods during the autumn. The specimen pictured was found growing among fallen birch leaves, hemlock needles, and moss, in the dense woods at Lake Placid. FAMILY HELVELLACEy^— MORELS A second family Helvellacecc contains three important gen- era, Morchella, Gyromitra, and Helvella, in which are the largest and most highly prized spore-sac fungi known. They are dis- tinguished from the earth-tongues by the cap-like form of the spore body or ascoma, but especially by the character of the spore-sac, which opens by a little lid instead of by a simple pore. gir-5!'-nans Vi'-tel-lT'-na Gy'-ro-mi'-tra MIt'-ru-la Mor-kSl'-la Hel-vel'-la * This species is also described under the names Geoglossum irregulare and Ceeglossum vitellinum. 140 Helvella elastica. Buff. Reduced. Seepage 142. rielvella lacunosa, Holm. Reduced. Seepage 143- fVlltrula vitellina, sacc, var irregularis, Pk- (ediblej. Reduced Genus Morchella GENUS GYROMITRA The genus Gyromitra contains seven species. These have the ascomata distinctly stalked, and the upper surface covered with gyrose folds. The largest spore-sac fungi belong in this genus. Gyromitra esculenta (Edible) Cap — Bay red, round, lobed, irregular, gyrose-wrinkled, attached to the stem in several places. Hollow, white, and uneven within. Siein — Whitish, hollow, scurfy. Two or more inches long. Flesh — Edible only when young and freshly gathered. Habitat^{x\ sandy soil, during the wet weather of May and June. G. esculenta M. deliciosa Section to show margin of the cap united to the stem. GENUS MORCHELLA The genus Morchella has the cap covered with a network of blunt ridges enclosing irregular depressed spaces. The spore-sacs are devel- oped in both ridges and depressions. All the species when young are of a buff yellow tinged with brown, but later they are darker. The stems are rather stout and hollow, white or whitish in some spe- cies, and attached to the cap at the apex only ; but in others, attached to the rim as well. All the species Es'-cfi-len'-ti M. esculenta 141 Spore-sac Fungi — Ascomycetes are edible and highly esteemed. They must be looked for during wet weather, early in the season. They may be classed in two groups, according to the attachment of the stem. I_MARGIN OF CAP UNITED TO THE STEM Cap rounded or oval Morchella esculenta Cap oblong or cylindrical Morchella deliciosa Cap conical or oblong conical ; broader than stem Morchella conica Cap conical or oblong conical ; scarcely broader than stem. Morchella angusticeps II— MARGIN OF CAP FREE FROM THE STEM Cap free from the stem to the middle Morchella semilibera Cap free from the stem to the top Morchella bispora GENUS HELVELLA The genus Helvella contains twelve species. They all have lobed, irregular, or saddle-shaped caps, which are fleshy, and attached to the stem at the apex. They are contorted in such a way that no two of the species appear alike. Helvella Helvella elastica (See Plate Facing Page 140) Cap — Brownish grey. Cup-shaped, flattening out when mature ; when young, the under surface is covered with little spines or hairs. Both surfaces are smooth when mature. Stem — Slender, of the same colour as the cap, tapering toward the cap. Solid and white within. Habitat— "[\\Q, specimen pictured was found growing beneath hemlocks and yellow birches, in Lake Placid forest, during September. De-lIsh-T-6'-sS An-gus'-tl-9eps Bl'-sp6r-a C6n'-I-ca Sem'-K-lTb'-er-a E-ias'-tTc-a 142 DELICIOUS MOREL (EDIBLE) {Morchella deliciosa. Ft.) Polyporus arcularius, (Batsch) Fries See page 112 Genus Helvetia Helvella laCUnOSa (See Plate facing Page 140) Cap — Of one piece, thin and flexible like rubber cloth, folded to saddle the apex of the stem. The two saddle-flaps are at- tached on their margins at irreg- ular intervals when young, and are puffed out like a balloon; but when ma- ture, the pieces separate. Their outer surface is brownish grey, and their inner surface light grey, creased and folded. Stem — Irregularly and deeply furrowed. Flesh — Odour offen- sive. Habitat — The speci- men pictured was found growing imbedded in deep woods. Attachment of stem Cap flattened out H. lacunosa (diagrammatic) moss on old bark in the Laki Placid LSc-u-no'-s^ »43 CHAPTER XIII: SLIME FUNGI— MYXO- MYCETES (See Plate Facing Page 136) Whether the slime fungi are plants or animals is a question not yet decided. They are living organisms which have no chlorophyll, or leaf-green, and which in their vegetative state resemble certain groups of the Proto:{oa, or unicellular animals, which live in water. In their manner of reproduction they show resemblances to certain fungi, and the spore cases or sporangia of some resemble tiny puffballs in form and marmer of ejecting their spores. In the growing stage they consist of a naked mass of yel- lowish or whitish protoplasm, which creeps about in the dark, in accumulations of dead parts of plants, or under the bark of rotting stumps or logs. When a spore germinates, the mem- brane about it bursts, and a bit of naked and slimy protoplasm escapes. This tiny mass creeps about, absorbing food from its surroundings, and increasing in size until it may perhaps cover an area of many inches. After a time spores begin to form, then either the whole mass is transformed into a single spore case or a number of spore cases are formed. The spore cases of Lycogala epidendron are pretty things, resembling pink coral beads. When fresh, a case is filled with a thin pink paste; but when mature, with fine brown dust-like spores. When the spore case bursts, these spores escape, and if they fall in favourable places the life cycle begins anew. Myx'-o-my-je'-tes Pr6-t6-zo'-3. Ly-cog'-S-li Ep-I-den'-droa 144 BRISTLY PANUS (Panus sfrigosiis^ B. & C.; Lentinus strigosus) Cap, gills, and stem creamy. See Genus, p. 67 CHAPTER XIV : FUNGI FOR THE HERBARIUM There are no plants more difficult to preserve for an her- barium than the tleshy fungi, and yet my personal observation leads me to believe that there are many people who would be willing to undertake the task if they knew how to set about it; and there is no class of plants in which the assistance of the amateur may help the botanist more than in this, provided that, at the time of gathering a specimen, full descriptive notes are made of all the characteristics of the plant. To aid one in quickly taking notes, it is well to have with one in the field some printed or written blanks. A convenient form is suggested by the following outline, which is the one used by the Boston Mycological Club : Species Collected by No. Locality Date COLLECTOR'S NOTES. N. B. — When collecting, be sure to get the whole plant, base and all, uninjured; and to get young as well as mature specimens. Note here at once the Habitat. On \ l''' ^} f'^ °^ ''^'"S^- ( Ground (kind or soil). Place (wood, field, wet or dry, high land or low, etc.). Under and near what trees ? Manner of j (Solitary, in clusters, troops, or caespitose [growing from one Growth. ( root]). Character. (Viscid, hygrophanous [transparent when moist], dry.) Smell. Taste. Spores. Colour. NoTH. — if the plant is perishable, sketch and describe it fully at once, and look lo 145 Fungi for the Herbarium for indications of spore colour. After the plant is described it may be dried in hot air (over a stove for instance) and preserved or sent in for identification. Sketch the plant, indicating markings of cap and stem. Drawer trace a vertical section through the centre of cap and stem, indicating thickness of flesh; shape and attachment of gills; nature of interior of stem; position of ring, volva, etc. Do this also for a young specimen (button), showing whether the margin of the pileus is stvaight or incurved. N.B. — If not life size, note dimensions. When the characters vary with age or with moisture, note the changes. I Shape (flat, convex, concave, umbonate [raised in the centre], ( umbilicate [depressed in the centre], etc.). Is it viscid when moist and fresh; tough, fragile, fleshy, mem- branaceous; smooth, floccose, scaly, silky, fibrillose; even, rough, wrinkled, furrowed? etc. Is the margin entire, wavy, striate, inroUed, upturned, smooth, woolly, hairy, appendiculate? etc. Colour and markings. Gills. Shape. Attachment (adnate, sinuate, decurrent, etc., ox free). Are they distant or crowded, all of one length, branching or forked, connected by veins ? Surface (smooth, powdery, marked in any way). Colour (young and old). Texture (thick, thin, brittle, etc.). Margin (entire, wavy, scalloped, toothed, fringed). With Boleti note colour, length, and size of tubes, shape and size of mouths, relation of pore surface to stem, etc. Flesh. Consistency (firm, mealy, punky, etc.). Colour (in general; just under skin; near gills or tubes). Juice (taste and colour). Stem. Texture (tough, flexuous, fragile, fleshy). Shape (tapering either way, straight or bent, swollen, etc.). Exterior (cartilaginous, fibrous or not, etc.). Colour and markings (striate, dotted, pruinose [with a bloom], fibrillose, or smooth, etc.). Interior (hollow, solid, stuffed, fistulose [tubular], etc.). Base (shape, markings, etc.). 140 Fungi for the Herbarium Mycelium (thread-like, cottony, compact, root-like, sclerotioid [hard], coloured). { (Relative position, permanent or fugacious [quickly disappearing], l etc.). Veil. (Examine young specimens), Ring. Volva. (Examine young buttons, base of stem, surface of pileus). Remarks. Collector's Outfit. — For collecting fungi there is nothing better than a cheap splint basket with a cover. The size will depend upon the ambition and strength of the collector. In ad- dition, a chisel for woody fungi and a trowel or broad-bladed knife will be found convenient ; also a few small boxes for fragile species, and a package of thin, tough, uncoloured paper in which other specimens may be put. Sheets of six inches square and also of twelve by twenty-four are convenient sizes. Before the specimens are put in the basket, those of a kind should be compactly piled in the centre of a sheet, and the four corners of the sheet brought together and fastened by twisting them. The slip with the notes may either be put inside the package or fastened on the outside. Care of Specimens. — As soon as possible after reaching home, the packages should be taken from the basket and spread out in convenient places. If the specimens are to be used imme- diately for identification, begin with the most perishable, or they will be lost by decay. If they are to be preserved for future use, put them in the warmest place available where they will not burn. This may be under or over the kitchen stove, or in the furnace-room of the hotel or laundry; or, if any of these places is not practicable, then a drier may be improvised by placing over a lamp a frame made of wire screening. Collecting Spores. — At least one specimen of each kind should be set for spores. This is readily done by thrusting the stem of one plant through a hole in a disk of gummed paper so that the paper fits closely against the gills. This disk may be held in place by thrusting the stem of the fungus through a piece of thin paper and then bringing the paper above the cap and twisting the corners. Use white disks for fungi suspected of having coloured spores, and coloured paper for those suspected of 147 Fungi for the Herbarium having white spores. If there is any doubt, set two fungi — one with a coloured disk and the other with a white one. It is an easy matter to fix spores for future use, but a more difficult matter to fix them so that they represent a picture of the radiating gills. In order to do this the stem must be cut from the cap, and the cap must be so arranged over the paper that no draughts shall disturb the spores as they fall, and also so that it may be removed from the paper without disturbing the spores after they have f^illen. The writer would suggest that two fme wires should be thrust horizontally and at right angles to each other through the cap, and that the ends of the wires should be supported in a convenient manner, so that the cap may just swing free from the paper which is to receive the spores. The whole must be covered to keep the spores from being disturbed by draughts. When the spores have fallen, the cover can be re- moved, the cap raised, and the spore-print fixed. Various methods of fixing spores for prints are recommended. The following are quoted from a bulletin of the Boston Mycoiog- ical Club : The following directions iox fixing spore prints are taken from Herpel (" Das Priipariren der Hutpilze "). Paper which is somewhat absorbent must be used; unglazed blue or black paper (of which tile colour must be unaffected by the fixative) for white-spored species. The piece of paper bearing the spore print is to be laid, spores upward, in a flat plate or platter on which a thin layer of fixative has first been poured. The fixative is al- lowed to soak up through from below, and should not overflow the edges of the paper. When it is certain that the spores as well as the paper are thoroughly soaked, the preparation is removed and dried; sometimes, to prevent sticking, being laid on moistened blotting-paper. The fixative to be used will vary with the species. For instance, the spores of Cantharelltis cibarius and some others may be fixed by water alone. The following solutionis recommended for i9^/i?// and species with coloured spores: One part san- darac, two parts mastic, and two parts Canada balsam, dissolved in thirty parts of ninety-five per cent, alcohol. In the use of this it has been found that the time of soaking necessary to fix the spores is for Boleti,i\NO minutes; Dertnini, C oprinarii, Gomphiditis, Paxilltis, Russula, and Lactarius, four to five minutes; pink-spored agarics, also dark brown spored (as the meadow mushroom), and Coriinarii, six to eight minutes. It is important that the alcohol should be full strength. A gelatine solution is useful for white-spored species. This is prepared and used warm. Its strength varies with the species. Lepiota procera^ Collybia radicaia, and Clitocybe laccata may be fixed by a solution of one part gelatine to thirty of water. For species of Tricholoma this is too strong, and one to sixty, or one to two hun- dred must be the formula. The difficulty arises here from the fact that an excess of 148 Fung^ for the Herbariun gelatine makes the spores transparent and even invisible. Their opacity may be secured by previous treatment with a solution of one part mastic in thirty of ether. For certain kinds {Tricholoma pe)-soiiatum, Lepiota granulosa, Amanitopsis vaginata, and others which experiment will discover), ten to twenty-five per cent, of alcohol must be added to the gelatine solution in order to make the spores adhere. Experience will doubtless show that other fixatives may be used. Gum arabic, for instance, suggests itself. This, however, if strong, is apt to cake the spores to- gether, if one method fails, invention and repeated trials must find a successful means. Reports are requested from all who engage in the amusement of making spore prints. To these a suggestion not without value is that dry agarics (like Marasmius and some Collybias) may be kept in a condition to shed spores by putting moistened blotting-paper under them. Another method of making spore prints is to spray them from an atomizer with a solution of white shellac in alcohol. A saturated solution should be made, and then diluted fifty per cent, with alcohol. The Search for a Name. — When looking up a name for a plant, the best plan is to use fresh specimens, and, if a good supply can be had, make a careful comparison of all, so as to be sure that the characteristics are normal and not due to injury. If the attempt to find a satisfactory description is not successful, preserve the specimens dried, together with full notes, and send a part of them to the State botanist for determination. The name of a fungus is not the vital thing. In pursuit of a name do not neglect the plant. Observe it as it grows and in its different stages. Make a friend of it, and you will find it good company. The Preparation of Rough-dried Plants for the Herba- rium— Put the dried plants in a place where they will absorb just moisture enough to make them pliant. Either put them in a box containing something damp, as a wet sponge, sand, or paper; or spread them where they can absorb the moisture of the atmos- phere without getting too wet. When pliant, bend the stem and cap so that they lie in the same plane, and arrange them in as natural a form as possible; then place them between driers of un- glazed paper, with a weight just sufficient to keep them from curling out of shape. Mounting — The specimens may be placed loose in envelopes made by folding paper as for mosses or lichens, or they may be glued directly to mounting sheets, or they may be kept in boxes of varying sizes. 149 Fungi for the Herbarium Sections — A section of a fungus is a very thin slice cut from the plant by running a thin-bladed knife from the top of the cap down through the stem. When well made, sections of young and mature pfanrs the State botanist of New York. Pers. Christian Hendrik Persoon (1755-1837), a German botanist. RozE. Ernest Roze, a French botanist. ScHW. Lewis David de Schweinitz (1780-1834), an Ameri- can botanist ; one of the first to make mycology a serious study. Scop. Giovanni Antonio Scopoli (i 723-1 788), an Italian botanist. ScH/tFF. Jacobi Christiani Schseffer (1718-1790), a German botanist. Sacc. p. a. Saccardo (1845- ), an Italian botanist. Sac- cardo is the compiler of Sylloge Fungoriim, a work in Latin, containing descriptions of over forty thou- sand species. It is a most valuable work, as it has made accessible to workers throughout the world the greater part of the technical descriptive litera- ture upon the subject of fungi. Vahl. Martin Vahl (1749-1804), a Norwegian botanist. The diacritical marks used in the pronunciation of the Latin names indicate the sounds of the same letters in the following list : S as in fat a ' ' fate 2 ' ' met e * ' meet \ ' ' fin I ' ' fine 6 ' ' not 6 ' ' note ii as in cut u cute y myth y my g gem g- get c cat 9 cent 160 INDEX AND GLOSSARY Adnata, 35 ; united by growth ; said of gills when they are grown to the stem. AgaricaccK, 30, 32, 40, 46, 73- Agaricales, 14, 30. Agaricus, 39, 73. — abruptus, 77. — arvensis, 75. — campestris, 12, 75, 76. — cretaceus, 64. — hemorrhoidarius, 75. — how to grow, 73. — maritimus, 75. — placomyces, 75. — Rodmani, 75, 76. — subrufescens, 75. — sylvaticus, 75. Algae, 9. Algal-like fungi, 9, 17. Amanita, 34, 46. — Caesarea, 50, 52. — Frostiana, 52. — muscaria, 52. — phalloides, 48. — to prepare, for cooking, 154- — verna, 65. — young plant, 47. Amanitopsis, 34, 53, 88. — parcivolvata, 55. — vaginata, 54. var. alva, 54. var. fulva, 54. var. livida, 54. Anthurus, 26. — borealis, I2i. Antidote, 48 ; anything that will counteract the effects of poison. II Arachnoid, 38 ; web-like. Armillaria, 34. — mellea, 61. var. bulbosa, 62. var. exannulata, 62. var. flava, 62. var. glabra, 62. var. obscura, 62. var. radicata, 62. Asci, 18, 19 ; the sacs in which the spores of the cup fungi are de- veloped. Asconia, ig, 20, 21 ; the disk-like body bear- ing the spore-sacs of the cup fungi and their allies. Ascomata, 20, 21 ; plural of ascoma. Ascomycetes, 17, 18, 135. Ascus, 17; singular of asci. Astrseus hygrometricus, 130. Basidia, 16, 17 ; enlarged cells bearing spores. Basidiomycetes, 14, 17, 97. "6. Bean seed to show embryo, 7- Bear's head, 2, 96. Beefsteak fungus, 103. — for salad, 155. — minced, 155. — to prepare, 155. Bird's-nest, 24, 133. i^itter Boletus, 107. Black knot, 9. Boletaceie, 31, 44, ro2. Boleti, 14. 161 Boleti, care of spores, 148. — to prepare, 154. — of the United States, 104. — which change colour, 104. Boletinus, 45, 102, 103, — pictus, 103. — painted, 103. Boletus, 44, 104. — Americanus, 109. — bicolor, 105. — calopus, 106. — castaneus, 108. — chrysenteron, 106. — cyanescens, 105. — edulis, 109. — eximius, 108. — felleus, 107. — glabellus, 104. — mutabilis, 105. — pallidus, 105. — Peckii, 106. — purpureus, 107. — radicans, 106. — Satanus, 107. — scaber, 108. — speciosus, 105. — subtomentosus, 109. — versipellis, 108. Boston Mycological Club, 145- Bovista, 128. — plumbea, 128. — section of, 128. Bovistella, 29, 124, 129. — Ohiensis, 129. Brackets, 2, 4. Brain-shaped Calvatia,l26» Branches, 7. Index and Glossary Brick top. (PI. opposite p. 8i.) Brick-red mushroom, 80. Button, II, 12 ; the name given to a young mushroom. Csesarea, 50. Caesar's mushroom, 51. Ccespitose, 145; growing in chimps, many plants from one root. Calostoma, 29, 123, 124, 131- — cinnabarinum, 132. — lutescens, 132. — Ravenelii, 132. Calvatia, 28, 124, 126. — craniformis, 126. — cyathiformis, 128. — fragile coat, 126. — maxima, 127. — section of, 126. Cambium, 137 ; the deli- cate young cells be- tween the wood and bark. The inner be- come new wood ; the outer, new bark. Campestris, 76. Caninus, 120. Cantharellus, 36, 53. — cibarius, 148. — floccosus, 53. Cap, defined, 12. — membranous, 35. — ragged edge, 13. — scaly, 34. — smooth, 34. — striate, 50. — umbonate, 63. Capillitium, 25, 126; sim- ple or branched threads mixed with spores. — elastic, 126. Capitate, 21; having a dis- tinct head. Capitila. (PI. opposite p. 136.) Caput-ursi, 96. Carbon, 4 ; an elementary substance found in plant and animal tissue. Cartilaginous, 36, 146 ; similar to the elastic tissue found at the ends of fresh bones. Caterpillar, fungus grow- ing on, 136. Cautions, 151. Cell, II ; a living vegeta- ble anit. — spore, II. — club-Hke, 13, 14. Cervinus, 87. Chalk agaric, 64. Chanterelle hygrophorus, 59- — to fry, 154. — to prepare, 154. Chemical analysis, 152. Chestnut Boletus, 108. Chitonia, 83. Chlorophyll, 6, 144 ; the green coloring mat- ter of plants. Christmas greens, 5, 7. Chrysenteron, 106. Cibus Deorum, 51. Cinnabarinum, 132. Circinatus, 113. Class, 7, 15, 17. Classification, 5, 7. Clathracete, 26, 117, 121. Clathrus, 26, 121. — cancellatus, 121. — columnatus, 121. Clavaria, 3, 14, 99. — aurea, lOO. — botrytes, 100. — cristata, 100. — fellea, loi. — flava, 99. — formosa, loi. 162 Clavaria, golden, 100. — pale yellow, 99. — pistil, loi. — pistillaris, loi. — red-tipped, 100. — to cook, 155. — to prepare, 155. Clavariaceae, 30, 98, 99. Clavate, 21 ; club-shaped. Clitocybe, 35, 68, 70. — laccata, 70. — care of spores, 148. Clitocybe virens, 71. — van amythystina, 71. — var. pallidifolia, 71. — var. striatula, 71. Clitopilus, 37, 88. Collector, notes of, 145. — outfit of, 147. Collybia, 35, 66, — care of specimens, 150. — care of spores, 148. — familia, 67. — radicata, 66. — radicata, care of spores, 148. — velutipes, 66. Columella, 125. Common mushroom, 76. Context, 42 ; the tissue immediately in con- tact with a specified part. Coprinarii. See Coprini. Coprini.careof spores, 148, — to prepare, 154. Coprinus, 40, 89. — atramentarius, 91. — comatus, iii, v, viii, 90 — micaceus, 91. Coral fungi, 98. Coral Hydnum, 97. Cordyceps, 136. Corollas, 6, Cortinarii, care of spores^ 148. Cortinarius, 38, 85. — alboviolaceus, 87. Index and Glossary Cortinarius violaceus, 87. Count de Vecchi, 49. Craniformis, 126. Craterellus cantharellus, 73- Crested Clavaria, 100. Crucibulum, 133. Cup fungi, 19, 137. Cup-shaped puffball, 128. Cyathiformis, 128. Cyathus, 133. Czar Alexis, 49. Daedalea, 43. Death Cup, 48. Deconica, 39, 82. Decurrent, 35 ; growing down the stem ; said of gills. Deliquescent, 26 ; dissolv- ing or melting away. Destroying Angels, 2. See Death Cup. Dictyophorus, 27. Dissemination, of seeds, 6 ; the act of scat- tering. — of spores, 4, 118, 126, 131, 133. 137- Early Pholiota, 84. Earth-stars, 123, 129. Earth-tongues, 138. Eccilia, 87, 88. Edible Boletus, 109. Elaphomyces, 136. Elias Fries, 97. Elm Pleurotus, 58. Emetic Russula, 68. Entoloma, 37, 88. Fairy clubs, 9. Fairy-ring mushroom, 66. Fairy rings, 3. Families, 7, 16. Fat Pholiota, 83. Favolus, 115, — areolarius, 115. Fawn-coloured Pluteus, 87. Fernwithspore capsules, 8. Fertile gleba, 125. Fibrillose, 146 ; furnished with fibres. Fistulina, 44, 102. — cavipes, 103. — decipiens, 103, — hepatica, 102. — paluster, 103. — porosus, 103. Fistulose, 146 ; hollow through the whole length. Flexuous, 146 ; bent alter- nately in opposite directions, Flint-stone, 127 ; a stone formerly used for ob- taining sparks. Floccose, 45 ; clothed with locks of soft hair or wool. Flocculent, 52 ; woolly. Flowerless plants, 5. Fly Amanita, 49. Food of the gods, 51. Frog-spittle, 6. Fruiting portion, 12, 13. Fiihrer fur Pilzfreunde, 104. Fungi, defined, 4. — for food, I, 151. — for the herbarium, 145. — for the table, 151. — not grewsome, 2. — habitat, 2. — how to grow them, 73. — number of, 15. — poisonous, r, 48, 151. — typical parts, 12. — with gills, 30, 32-40. 46-92. — with milky juice, 92, 93. — with pores, 42, 44, 102, 155- — with spines, 23, 41, 94-97. .6> Fungi with teeth, 94- 97. Fungus plant, 9. Fusiform, 40 ; cylindrical, tapering gradually to each end. Gasteromycetes, 2, 3, 14, 24. Geaster, 28, 124, 129. — hygrometricus, 130. — minimus, 130. Gelatinous fungi, 116. Genera, 7, 16. Geoglossaceje, 21, 138. Geoglossum, 139. — glabrum, 139. — hirsutum, 139. Giant puffball, 127. Gills, 12. — forked, 53. — notched, 58. — structure, 13. — toothed, 56, — waxy, 61. Glabrous, 50; not hairy. Gleba, 26, 117 ; the spore mass of the pouch fungi. Glistening Coprinus, 91. Globose, 40 ; having or approaching a spher- ical form. Golden Clavaria, 100. Golden-flesh Boletus, 106. Golden Peziza, 138. Gomphidius, 4, 92. — fixing spores of, 148. Grandinia, 94. Grass spikelet, 7. Gray-gilled mushroom, 79. (Jreen Russula, 69. Greeks, i. Guepinia, 116. Gyromitra, 20, 140, 141. — csculenta, 141. — to prepare, 155. Index and Glossary Habitat, 145; the locality where a plant natu- rally lives. Haschisch, 49 ; an intoxi- cating preparation of the Indian hemp. Hedgehog Hydnum, 97. — mushroom, 94. Helvelia, 20, 140. — elastica, 142. — lacunosa, 143. diagrammatic draw- ing'. 143. section of stem, 143. Helvellacese, 20, 140. Helvellales, ig, 138. Hirneola auricula-Judx-, 116. Honey-coloured Armilla- ria, 61. Host, 22 ; the plant or animal which sup- ports a parasite. Hydnaceae, 32, 04. Hydnum, 14, 32, 41, 94, 116. — albidum, 95. — branched, to prepare, 155- — caput-medusse, 97. — caput-ursi, 96. — coralloides, 97. — echinaceus, 97. — imbricatum, 96. — repandum, 95. — rufescens, 95. Hydrogen gas, 4 ; one of the elements found in plant and animal tissue. Hygrophanous, 145; opaque when dry, and transparent when moist. Hygrophorus, 35, 59. — cantharellus, 59. — eburneus, 61. — miniatus, 60. Hygrophorus, van flava, 60. — var. flaviceps, 60, — var. flavipes, 60. — var. rosea, 60. Hymenogastrales, 133. Hymenomycetes, 2, 14. Ilypha, II ; a thread-like strand of the vegeta- tive part of a fungus. Hypholoma, 39, 78. — capnoides, 79. — eloeodes, 80. — epixanthus, 79. — fasciculare, 80. — incertum, 80, 81. — perplexum, 78, 79. — sublateritium, 81. Hypocreales, 18, 136. Imperial mushroom, 51. Incertum, 80, 81, Indian pipe, 7. Ingenious stamens, 6. Ink-caps, 89. Inky Coprinus, 91. Irpex, 94. Ivory Hygrophorus, 61. Jew's Ear, 116. Judas's Ear, 116. Juice, milky, 32. — watery, 32. Juvenal, i ; a Roman poet, first century A.D. Kaiserling, 51. Key, 15-45. Lachnocladium, 99. Lactarius, 32, 92. — care of spores, 148, — channeled, 33. — crisped, 33. — deliciosus, 154. — entire, i. — ligniotus, 93. — piperatus, 92. 164 Lactarius, to cook, 154. — to prepare, 152. — volemus, 154. Lamellae, 12. — acute 35 ; the edges thin, not blunt. — adnate, 35 ; grown to the stem. — brittle, 35. — decurrent, 35 ; growing down the stem. — entire, 47. — free from the stem, 34. — obtuse, 36. — shallow folds, 36. — simple, 33. — sinuate, 35. — splitting deeply, 33. — toothed, 32. — villous, 33 ; with soft hairs. — waxy, 35. Larch canker, 137, Large club, loi. Latticed Clathrus, 121. Leaf-green, 4, 6, 15, 144. Lentinus, 32. — lepideus, 56. Lenzites, 43. — betulina, 113. — separia, 114. Lepiota, 34, 63. — Friesii, 65. — granulosa, care of spores, 149. — naucinoides, 64. — procera, 63. care of spofes, 148. Leptonia, 88. Light from dry rot, 2. Liverworts, 5, 7. Lycogala epidendron, 144. Lycoperdales, 25, 28, 123. Lycoperdon, 29, 124. — cyathiforme, 128. — giganteum, 127. — maxima, 127. — pyri forme, 125. Index and Glossary Lycoperdon, section of, 124. — subincarnatum, 125. Lycopodiums, 7. Majoon, 49 ; an intoxicat- ing confection of India. Maned agaric (see Coma- tus), ii, V, viii, 90. Marasmius, 33, 65. — care of spores, 149. — oreades, 66. Marchantia polymorpha,?. Masked Tricholoma, 72. Medusa's head, 97. Mendel, 152. Membrane fungi, 14, 22. Merulius, no. — lacrymans, no. Mitrula, 21. — viteilina, van irregula- ris, 140. Morels, 140, 154. — to prepare, 154. Morchella, 21, 140, 141, 142. — angusticeps, 142. — bispora, 142. — deliciosa, 142. — esculenta, 141, 142. — section of, 141. — semilibera, 142. Mould, 2. — on bread, 9. — on food, 2. — on dead fly, g. Mould-like fungi, 15, 77. Mounting, 149. Mount Marcy, 68. Mucronelia, 94. Muscaria, 49. Muscarine, 50 ; a poison found in A. muscaria. Mushrooms, baked, 153. — broiled, 153. — stewed, 153. . — toasted, 153. Mushrooms, to keep, 15. — to prepare, 153. Mutinus, 27. — bambusinus, 120. — caninus, 120. — embryo plant, 120. — young plant, 120. Mycelial threads, 117, 123. — luminosity of, 63. Mycelium, 11, no, 136. — food provider, 13. Mycena, 35, 55. — hcematopoda, 55. Myxomycetes, 144. Name, not a vital thing, 150. — the search for, 150. Nidularia, 133. Nidulariales, 24, 133. Nolanea, 88. Odontium, 94. Offensive fungi, 117. Omphalia, 35, 68. — umbellifera, 68. Orange Amanita, 50. Orange-cap Boletus, 108. Orders, 7, 16. Oreades, 3. Oxygen, 4 ; one of the ele- mentary substances which, chemically united with carbon and hydrogen, forms plant tissues. Oyster mushroom, 57. Painted Boletinus, 103. Panaiolus, 92. Panus, 33, 67. Paraphyses, 135 ; jointed thread-like bodies found accompanying llie spore-sacs of cer- tain fungi. Parasite, 22 ; that which lives by taking its 1 165 food from living plants or animals. Parasite, Cordyceps, on Elaphomyces, 136. Parasol mushroom, 63. Pa.xillus, care of spores, 148. Peach cure, 9. Pear-shaped puffball, 125. Peridium, 14, 23, 24, 25, 123 ; the thickened covering to a puff- ball. Perithecium, 58 ; a round- ed, oval, pear-shaped, or beaked body in which the spore-sacs are developed. Perplexing Hypholoma, 78, 79- Perplexum, 78. Peziza, 22, 137. — ajruginosa, 137. — aurantia, 138. — odorata, 137. — Willkommii, 137. Pezizales, 19, 20, 137. Phallace£E, 27, 117. f*hallales, 24, 117, 121. Phallin, 48 ; a deadly poison found in cer- tain fungi. Phalloides, Amanita, 48. Pliallus, 27. — impudicus, n7. — section of young impu- dicus, 119. Phlebia, 94. Pholiota, 38. — adiposa, 83. — limonella, 83. — pr.fcox, 84. Phycomycetes, 9, 17. PhyLx, 7. Physalacria, 98. Pileus, 146 ; the cap of a mushroom. Pilosace, 39, 82. Index and Glossary Pinkish puffball, 125. Pistuciiio nuts, 78. Pistil of St. Johnswort, 6. — of violet, 6. Pistil Clavaria, loi. Pistillaria, 98. Pleurotus, 32. — ostreatus, 57. — sapidus, 58. — ulmarius, 58. Pliny, 135. Pluteus, 37. — cervinus, 87. Poison Amanita, 48. Poisoning, cases of, 49. — of herbarium sheets, 150. — recipes for, 150. Poisonous, 48, 49, 151. Pollen, 4, 6. Polypodium vulgare, 6. Polyporacens, 31, 42, 102, 109. Polypori, no. — to prepare, 155. Polyporus, 42. — arcularius, 112. — circinatus, 113. — conchatus, ill. — fomentarius, no. — megaloma, no. — perennis, in. — pergamenus, in. — squamosus, 112. — sulphureus, in. — velutinus, in. Pores, 14 ; the openings of the spore-bearing tubes. — easily separating from the adjoining tissue, 44, 102. — in radiating rows, 102. — in the form of tubes whose mouths are separated, 44, 102. — long-hexagonal, 43. Pores, permanently united to adjoining tissue, 42, 102. — separating with diffi- culty, 45. — to prepare woody, 155. Pouch fungi, 14, 23, 123. Pruinose, 146 ; as if frost- ed with a bloom or powder. Psathyra, 39, 82. Psathyrella, 40, 92. Psilocybe, 39, 82. Protoplasm, 144 ; the vis- cid, contractile, semi- fluid substance of an animal or vege- table cell. Protozoa, 144 ; unicellular microscopic animals. Pterula, gg. Puffballs, 3, 4, 123. — salad, 155. — to cook, 155. Purple Boletus, 107. Pycnodon, 94. Radulum, 94. Resupinate, 31. Ring, 12. — movable, 63. Rodman's mushroom, 76. Romans, I. Rough-dried plants, 149. Russia, 49. Russula, 3, 35. — care of spores, 148. — emetica, 68. — heterophylla, 70. — to prepare for cooking, 154- — virescens, 69. Salmon fungus, 9. Saprophytes, 123. Scaly Lentinus, 56. Schizophyllum, 33, 67. Scleroderma, 133. 166 .Scleroderma vulgare, 134. Sclerodermatales, 25, 133. Seed-boxes, 6, 8. Sensitive plant, 89. Shaggy-mane, ii, v, viii, 90. Shelley, i, 2, 89. Silver fir, 6. Simblum, 26. — rubescens, 122. Sinuate, 35 ; said of gills which have a notch or recess near the stem. Slime fungi, 144. Smallest Earth-star; 130. Smith, Rev. Gerard, 3. Smokeballs, 123. Smooth Lepiota, 64. Smuts, 2, 14, 22. Sparassis crispa, 99. Spathularia, 21, 138. — velutipes, 138. Species, 7, 16. Specimens, 7. — care of, 147. Spencer, 2, 5. Sphaeriales, 136. Sphserobolus, 133. Spines, 14, 41. Spore-dust to stanch blood, 127. Spore print, 4. — receptacle, 10. Spore-sac fungi, 9, 17, 18, 135- Spores, II ; single cells which serve the same purpose for fungi as seeds do for flowering plants. — black, 32, 46, 89-g2. — brown, 38, 73-83. — colour, 4. — collecting of, 147. — dark brown, 32, 73-83. — dissemination of, 4, 118,126,131,133,137. — elliptical, 72, — fusiform, 40. Index and Glossary Spores, how formed, 12. — in a definite rind, 14, 23, 123. — on spicules, g. — pinii, 36, 46, 87, 88. — purplish-brown, 32. . — rough, 69. — rosy, 32, 87, 88. — rusty brown, 32, 46, 83-87. — salmon, 32, 87, 88. — violet, 32, 58. — white, 32, 46-73. — yellowish -brown, 32, 83-87. Spreading Hydnum, 195. State botanist, 150. Stem, 12, 13. — cartilaginous, 35. — central, 60. — characters of, 46. — cup at base, 47, 49, 50, 54, 88. — eccentric, 56. — fleshy, 5. — hollow, 50. — lateral, 58. — mealy, 46. — rusty, 46. — smooth, 46. — solid, 56. — swollen base, 48. — wanting, 113. Sterigmata, 9, 17 ; the slender stalks or spicules upon which the spores of the Basidiomycetes are borne. Sterile, 29 ; not containing spores. — base, 125. Stinkhorns,24,26,ii7,i23. Stipe, 12 ; stem of fun- gus. Striate, 35, 50 ; said of the cap when marked with radiating straight lines on the margin. Strobilomyces, 102. Stroma, 136 ; a compact mass of mycelium which unites the pear-shaped bodies in which spore-sacs are contained. Stropharia, 39, 82. Sulphury polyporus, iii. Sistotrema, 94. Tall Lepiota, 63. Thelephoracene, 73. Tinder, 127 ; dry material which will ignite without explosion when in contact with a spark. Toadstool, 2, 8. Tox-albumins, 48 ; poi- sonous proteids pro- duced by bacteria. Trama, 42 ; a middle tis- sue between two lay- ers of spore-bearing tissue. Trametes, 42, no, 113. — cinnabarina, 113. — pini, 113. — suaveolens, 113. Tremellines, 22. Tremellodon, 116. Tricholoma, 35. — care of spores, 148. — personatum, care of spores, 149. Tricholoma personatum, var. bulbosum, 72. Trogia, 33. Truffles, 18. Tuberales, 18, 30, 135. Tufted yellow mushroom, So. Tunbridge ware, 137. Typhula, 98. Umbilicate, 146 ; provided with a central depres- sion. Umbonate, 63 ; provided with a central promi- nence. Uncertain Ilypholoma, 8. Variable Russula, 70. Veil, 12, 113; the mem- brane which covers the spore surface of a fungus in the young stage. Velvety Spathularia, 138. Verdette, 69. Vermilion Hygrophorus, 60. Vernal Amanita, 65. Vibrissea, 139. — circinans, 140. — truncorum, 139. Volva, 34, 46, 52. — of mutinus, 120. Volvaria, 36, 88. Water-measuring Earth- star, 130. White llydnum, 95. Wrapper, 47, 49, 50, 51. 54- Xylaria, 136. Yeast plant, g. 167 INDEX OF PLATES Agaricus abruptus, 74, 77- — campestris, 74, 75. — Rodmani, 76. Amanita Cssarea, 50. — musearia, 49. — phalloides, 48. Amanitopsis parcivol- vata, Frontispiece. — strangulata, 53. — vaginata, 54. Armillaria mellea, 61. Bear's head, 96. Bird's-nest, 130. Bitter Boletus, 107. Boletinus pictus, 103. Boletus chrysenteron, 60. — felleus, var. obesus, 107. — scaber, var. niveus, 108. Bovistella O h i e n s i s , 128. Brain pufifball, 126. Brick top Hypholoma, 81. Bristly panus, 145. Broad-gilled CoUybia, 66. Calostoma cinnabarina, 132. — lutescens, 132. — Ravenelii, 132. Calvatia craniforniis, 126. • — cyathiformis, 128. CantharcUus floccosus, 136. Chanterelle Hygropho- rus, 60. Clavaria aurea, 100. — formosa, loi. — ligula, 98. Clitocybe illudens, 70. — laccata, 67. — virens, 71. Collybia familia, 67. — maculata, 66. — platyphylla, 66. Cone-like Boletus, 102. Coprinus atramentari- us, 91. var. silvestris, 89. Coral Hydnum, 97. Cordyceps c a p i t a 1 a (Parasitic on Ela- phomyces), 136. Cortinarius alboviola- ceus, 65. — armillatus, 86. — caninus, 85. Craterellus cantharel- lus, 73. Cup-shaped Calvatia, 128. Cyathus vernicostis, 130. Daedalea quercina, 114. Death cup, 48. Deceiving clitocybe, 70. Delicious morel, 142. Dog cortinarius, 85. Early Pholiota, 84. Elaphomyces, 136. E 1 fi n g i a fomentaria, 1 10. Emetic Russula, 68. i6q Fat Pholiota, 6r, Fawn-coloured Piute- us, 87. Field mushroom, 75. Flesh-coloured puffball, 134- Floccose Chanterelle, 136. Fly Amanita, 49. F o m e s fomentarius, 110. G e a s * e r hygrometri- cus, 130. — minimus, 130. Golden Clavaria, 100. — flesh Boletus, 60. — Peziza, 138. Grainy Lepiota, 63. Green Russula, 69 H a r d-s k i n n e d puff- ball, 134. Helmet Mycena, 55. Helvella elastica, 140. — lacunosa, 140. Himeola auricula- Juda?, 116. Honey-coloured Armil- laria, 61. Hydnum caput-ursi, 96. — coralloides, 97. — repandum, 103. Hygrophorus cantha- rellus, 60. — ebumeus, 84. — miniatus, 60. Hypholoma incertum, 80. — perplexum, 78. — sublatcritium, 81 Index of Plates Inky Coprinus, 91. wood variety, 89. Ivory Hygrophorus, 84. Jelly-like Tremellodon, 137- Jew's ear, 116. Lactarius ligniotus, 93. — piperatus, 92. Least Earth-star, 130. Lentinus lepideus, 56. — strigosus, 145. Lenzites betulina, 113. Leotia lubrica, 137. Lepiota Friesii, 65. — granosa, 63. — nancinoides, 64. — procera, 64. Little-tongue Clavaria, 98. Lycogola epidendron, 136. Lycoperdon pyriforme, 125, 134. — subincarnatum, 134. Masked Tricholoma, 72. Mitrula vitellina, var. irregtilaris, 140. Morchella deliciosa, 142. Mutinus caninus, 136. Mycena galericulata, 55- — hfematopoda, 93. Orange amanita, 50. Oyster mushroom, 58. Painted Boletinus, 103. Panus strigosus, 145. Parasol mushroom, 64, Pear-shaped puffball, 125- Peppery Lactarius, 92. Perplexing Hypholo- ma. 78. Peziza aurantia, 138. — odorata, 138. Phallus impudicus, 119. Pholiota adiposa, 61. — aggericula, 73. — prascox, 84. Pleurotus ostreatus, 58. Pluteus cervinus, 87. Poison Amanita, 48. Polyporus arcularius, 142. — circinatus, 112. — fomentarius, no. — versicolor, 112. Rodman's mushroom, 76. Russula emetica, 68. — virescens, 69. Scabrous-stemmed Bo- letus, 108. Scaly Lentinus, 56. Scleroderma vulgare, 134. Sheathed Amanitop- sis, 54. Slippery Leotia, 137. Smooth Lepiota, 64. Spathularia velutipeS; 132. Spotted Collybia, 66. Spreading Hydnum, 103. Strangled Amanitop- sis, 53. Strobilomyces strobi- laceus, 102. Tall Lepiota, 64. Tremellodon gelatin- osum, 137. Tricholoma persona- tum, var. bulbo- sum, 72. Uncertain Hypholoma, 80. Vermilion Hygropho- rus, 60. Water- measuring Earth-star, 130. Xylaria, 116. Young pear-shaped puffball, 134. Zoned Cortinarius, 86. 170 Date Due Mnv p. 7 tta-t— i9S& Library Burun Cat. no. H37 New York Botanical Garden Librar 3 5185 00251 7801 ^^/i^ jVJA^jLlI WITHDRAWN FROMHSNYUBRARY LIBRARY OF THE HDRTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF N. Y. ;5^ fee^W. 58 ST. NEW YORK 19, N. Y.