CHAPTER V

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PURPLE-BROWN SPORED AGARICS.

_Agaricus. Linn._ (_Psalliota. Fr._)

The pileus is fleshy, but the flesh of the stem is of different texture from that of the pileus, veil universal, concrete with the cuticle of the pileus, and fixed to the stem, forming a ring which soon disappears in some species; the stem is readily separated from the cap and the gills are free from the stem or slightly adnexed, white at first, then pink, afterwards purple-brown.

All the species grow in rich ground, and it includes many of our valuable food mushrooms.

_Agaricus campestris. Linn._

THE MEADOW MUSHROOM. EDIBLE.

[Illustration: Figure 248.--Agaricus campestris. Two-thirds natural size.]

_Campestris, from campus, a field._ This is perhaps the widest known of all mushrooms, familiarly known as the "Pink-gilled mushroom." It is the species found in the markets. It is the only species which is sure to respond to the methods of cultivation.

It is the same species which is bought in cans at the store.

In very young plants the pileus is somewhat globular, as will be seen in the small plants in the front row in Figure 248. The edge is connected with the stem by the veil; then round convex, then expanding, becoming almost flat; surface dry, downy, even, quite scaly, varying in color from creamy-white to a light-brown; margin extending beyond the gills, as will be seen in Figure 249 in the one on the extreme right.

The gills, when first revealed by the separation of the veil, are of a delicate pink hue, but with advancing age this generally deepens to a dark-brown or blackish-brown color.

The stem is rather short, nearly equal, white or whitish; the substance in the center is more spongy than the exterior, hence it is said to be stuffed. Sometimes the collar shrivels so much that it is scarcely perceptible, and may disappear altogether in old plants. The spores are brown in mass. The cap of this mushroom is from three to four inches in diameter and the stem from one to three inches long.

This is the first mushroom that yielded to cultivation. It is raised in large quantities, not only in this country, but especially in France, Japan, and China. No doubt other species and genera will be produced in time.

This species grows in grassy places, in pastures, and richly manured grounds, never in the woods. I found it in great abundance in Wood County, in fields which had never been plowed and where the ground was unusually rich. There it seemed to grow in groups or large clusters. Usually it is found singly. Found from August to October. The plants figured here were found near Chillicothe.

[Illustration: Figure 249.--Agaricus campestris. Two-thirds natural size.]

_Agaricus Rodmani. Pk._

RODMAN'S MUSHROOM. EDIBLE.

[Illustration: Figure 250.--Agaricus rodmani. Two-thirds natural size.]

The pileus is creamy, with brownish spots, firm, surface dry. The mature specimens frequently have the surface of the cap broken into large, brownish scales.

The gills are whitish, then pink, becoming dark-brown; narrow, close and unequal.

The stem is fleshy, solid, short, thick, about two inches long. The collar when well developed exhibits a striking characteristic. It appears as if there were two collars with a space between them. Its spores are broadly elliptical, .0002 to .00025 inch long.

It may be easily distinguished from the common Agaric by the time when found, its thick firm flesh, its narrow gills, which are almost white at first, and its double collar. I have found people eating it, supposing they were eating the common mushroom.

It is found in grassy places and especially between the cobble stones along the gutters in the cities. The specimens in Figure 250 were found in Chillicothe in the gutters. It is a meaty plant and one can soon tell it from its weight alone. It is found through May and June. It is fully as good to eat as the common mushroom. Macadam speaks of finding it in the fall, but I have never succeeded in finding it later than June.

_Agaricus silvicola. Vitt._

THE SILVAN AGARIC. EDIBLE.

[Illustration: Figure 251.--Agaricus silvicola. One-half natural size.]

Silvicola, from silva, woods and colo, to inhabit. The pileus is convex, sometimes expanded or nearly plane, smooth, shining, white or yellowish.

The gills are crowded, thin, free, rounded behind, generally narrowed toward each end, at first white, then pinkish, finally blackish-brown.

The stem is long, cylindrical, stuffed or hollow, white, bulbous; ring either thick or thin, entire or lacerated. Spores elliptical, 6-8×4-5. The plant is four to six inches high. Pileus three to six inches broad. _Peck._ 36th N. Y. State Bot.

A. silvicola is very closely related to the common mushroom. Its chief differences are in its place of growth, its being slender, and its hollow stem somewhat bulbous at the base. I have found it many times in the woods about Chillicothe, although I have never succeeded in finding more than one or two at a time. I have always put them with edible species and have eaten them when thus cooked with others.

Because of the resemblance which it bears, in its earlier stages, to the deadly Amanita, one can not exercise too great care in identifying it. It grows in the woods and is found from July to October.

_Agaricus arvensis. Schaeff._

THE FIELD OR HORSE MUSHROOM. EDIBLE.

[Illustration: Figure 252.--Agaricus arvensis. Two-thirds natural size, showing veil.]

_Arvensis, pertaining to a field._ Pileus is smooth, white or yellowish, convex or conical, bell-shaped, then expanded, more or less mealy. The gills are crowded, free, generally broader toward the stem; at first whitish, then pinkish, finally black-brown.

The stem is stout, equal, slightly thickened at the base, smooth, hollow or stuffed, ring rather large and thick, the upper part membranaceous and white, while the lower or exterior surface is thicker, downy, radically split and yellowish.

The spores are elliptical, .0003 to .0004 inch long.

This plant grows much larger than the common mushroom, and may be distinguished by the collar being composed of two parts closely allied to each other making a double membrane, the lower part being much thicker, softer in texture and split in a stellate manner into broad and yellow rays, as will be seen in Figure 252.

I found it very plentiful in Wood County, Ohio, and in quantities in Dr. Manville's yard in Bowling Green, Ohio. I ate them frequently and gave them to my friends, who all voted them delicious.

When the stem is first cut there exudes from the wound a yellowish liquid which is quite a sure ear mark of this species.

There is a tradition that the spores will not germinate unless they pass through the alimentary canal of the horse or some animal. However this may be, it is found frequently where no trace of the horse can be found. It appears from July to September. I have found it in Fayette County, Ohio, in large rings, resembling the Fairy-Ring Mushroom, only the ring is very large, as well as the mushrooms.

[Illustration: Plate XXXIV. Figure 253.--Agaricus arvensis.]

_Agaricus abruptus. Pk._

EDIBLE.

[Illustration: Figure 254.--Agaricus abruptus.]

Abruptus means to break away, referring to the breaking of the veil from the margin of the cap.

The pileus is creamy-white, dry and silky, quite irregular in shape when young, turning yellow when bruised or when the stem is cut.

The gills are slightly pinkish when the veil first breaks, gradually growing a deeper pink, in mature specimens becoming brownish, soft, free from the stem, quite close, unequal.

The stem is creamy-white, much darker toward the base, hollow, rather stiff, quite brittle, frequently found to be split lengthwise, ventricose, tapering toward the cap.

The veil is rather frail, one portion of it often adhering to the cap and another portion forming a ring on the stem.

Through the courtesy of Captain McIlvaine I am able to present an excellent picture of this species. The beginner will have some trouble to distinguish it from A. silvicola. This species, like the A. silvicola, is closely related to the meadow mushroom, but can be readily separated from it. This, too, like the A. silvicola, when seen in the woods at a distance, resembles the Amanita, but a careful glance at the gills will detect the difference.

The gills of the very young plant may appear white, but they will soon develop a pinkish tinge which will distinguish it from the Amanita. It is found in thin woods from July to October.

_Agaricus comptulus. Fr._

Comptulus means beautified or luxuriously decked; so called from the silky lustre of its cap.

The pileus is at first convex, then expanded, rather fleshy, thinner at the margin and incurved, usually with an adpressed silky finish to the surface of the cap which gives rise to its specific name.

The gills are free, much rounded toward the margin and the stem, white at first, then grayish, pinkish, purple-brown in old plants.

The stem is hollow, tapering from the base to the cap, slight bulbous, white, then yellowish, fleshy, fibrous. The veil is more delicate than in A. silvaticus, parts of it often found in young plants on the margin of the cap, forming a ring on the stem which soon almost disappears. Spores small, 4-5×2-3µ.

The surface of the cap, the rounding of the gills both in front and behind, also the tendency to turn white paper blue or bluish when the flesh of the cap comes in contact with it, will assist in determining this species.

It is found in grassy places in open woods, especially in the vicinity of pine trees, October and November.

_Agaricus placomyces. Pk._

THE FLAT-CAP MUSHROOM. EDIBLE.

[Illustration: Plate XXXV. Figure 255.--Agaricus placomyces.]

[Illustration: Figure 256.--Agaricus placomyces. Two-thirds natural size.]

[Illustration: Figure 257.--Agaricus placomyces. Two-thirds natural size.]

Placomyces means a flat mushroom. This is one of our prettiest plants.

The pileus is broadly ovate, rather thin, at first convex, but when it is fully expanded it is quite flat, whitish, brown in the center, as will be seen in Figure 256, but it is covered with a persistent brown scale.

The gills are white at first, then pink, turning blackish brown, quite crowded.

The stem is rather long, and slender, cylindrical stuffed, somewhat bulbous at the base, commonly whitish but at times bears yellow stains toward the base, tapering toward the cap. The veil is quite interesting. It is broad and double, loosely joined together by threads, the lower or outer veil breaking first into regular radiating portions. The spores are elliptical, 5-6.5µ long. The caps are two to four inches broad and the stem is three to five inches long.

They are found in lawns or in thin woods. They are much more abundant in hemlock woods though they are frequently found in mixed woods in which there are hemlock trees. The behavior of the veil is very similar to A. arvensis and A. silvicola and indeed this plant seems to be very closely related to these species. It is found from July to September.

_Agaricus cretaceus. Fr._

THE CHALK AGARIC. EDIBLE.

Cretaceus, relating to chalk.

The pileus is entirely white, fleshy, obtuse, dry; sometimes even, sometimes marked with fine lines around the margin.

The gills are free, remote, quite ventricose, narrowed toward the stem, crowded, white, and only in mature plants do they become brownish. Spores, 5-6×3.5µ.

The stem is two to three inches long, even, smooth, firm, tapering toward the cap, hollow, or stuffed with a fine pith, white.

It is found on lawns and in rich places. I find it more frequently in rich stubble fields. It makes a rare dish. Found in August and September.

_Agaricus subrufescens. Pk._

THE SLIGHTLY RED MUSHROOM. EDIBLE.

Subrufescens, sub, under; rufescens, becoming red. The pileus is at first inclined to be hemispherical, becoming convex or broadly expanded; silky fibrillose and minutely or obscurely scaly, whitish, grayish, or dull reddish-brown, usually smooth and darker on the disk. Flesh white and unchangeable.

The gills are at first white or whitish, then pink, finally blackish-brown.

The stem is rather long, often somewhat thickened or bulbous at the base, at first stuffed, then hollow, white, the ring is scaly on the under side, mycelium whitish, forming slender branching root-like strings. The spores are elliptical. _Peck_, 48th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.

The reddish-brown color is due to the coating of fibrils that covers the cap. In the center it does not separate into scales, hence it is smoother and more distinctly reddish-brown than the rest. Its veil resembles that of the A. placomyces, but instead of the lower surface breaking into radial portions it breaks into small floccose flakes or scales.

This species is found about greenhouses, and is frequently found in large clusters.

Dr. McIlvaine says: "This species is now cultivated and has manifest advantages over the market species--it is easier to cultivate, very productive, produces in less time after planting the spawn, is free from attacks of insects, carries better and keeps longer."

Mushroom beds in cellars are becoming quite popular and many are having very good results.

_Agaricus halophilus. Pk._

SEA-LOVING AGARICUS EDIBLE.

[Illustration: Plate XXXVI. Figure 258.--Agaricus halophilus.

Showing the globose caps, narrow gills, solid stem, and the peculiar incurved margin. Natural size.]

Halophilus is from two Greek words meaning sea and loving, or fond of.

This is a large fleshy plant and does not readily decay. At first it is quite round, then becomes broadly convex. All specimens that I have examined were covered with adpressed scales of a reddish-brown color, becoming grayish-brown when old. The flesh is white, becoming pink or reddish when cut. The margin has a peculiar angular turn, often retaining portions of the rather fragile veil.

The taste is pleasant, and the odor is distinctly that of the seashore.

The gills are quite narrow, as will be seen in Figure 258, much crowded, free, pinkish at first, becoming purplish-brown as the plant matures. The edge of the gills is whitish.

The stem is short, stout, solid, firm, equal, or occasionally slightly bulbous. The ring is rather delicate and in older specimens it is frequently wanting. The spores are broadly elliptical and purplish-brown, 7-8×5-6µ.

The specimens in figure 258 were sent to me from Boston, Mass., by Mrs. Blackford, and on opening the box the odor of the seashore was plainly noticed. The flesh when cut quickly turned to a pinkish or reddish hue and the water in which the plants were prepared for cooking was changed to a faintly pink tinge. These plants were sent me the first of June, but the stems were free from worms and were as easily cooked as the caps. I regard it as one of the very best mushrooms for table use, while also easy to distinguish.

It seems to delight in sandy soil near salt water. This was formerly called Agaricus maritimus.

_Pilosace. Fr._

Pilosace is from two Greek words, _pilos_, felt; _sakos_, garment.

Hymenophore is distinct from the stem. Gills are free, and at first remote, from the stem. The general and partial veil are both absent, hence it is without ring or volva. This genus seems to have the habit of Agaricus but no ring.

_Pilosace eximia. Pk._

[Illustration: Figure 259.--Pilosace eximia.]

Eximia means choice, distinguished.

The pileus is fleshy, thin, convex or broadly campanulate, at length expanded and subumbonate, smooth, dark sooty-brown.

The gills are close, broad, ventricose, rounded behind, free, dull-red, or brownish-pink, then brown.

The stem is slender, hollow, a little thicker at the base, dull-red. The spores are elliptical, .004 inch long.

These plants are small and quite rare, yet I have found the plants in Haynes' Hollow on three different occasions. Dr. Peck writes that it is a very rare plant. It grows on old stumps and decayed logs. The plants in figure [259?] were found in Haynes' Hollow and photographed by Dr. Kellerman.

_Stropharia. Fr._

Stropharia is from the Greek, strophos, a sword belt. The spores are bright purple-brown, brown or slate color. The flesh of the stem and the pileus is continuous. The veil, when ruptured, forms a ring on the stem. The gills are rounded and are not free.

The genus can be distinguished from all the genera of the purple-spored plants except the Agarics by the presence of a ring and by the united flesh of the stem and the cap and by the attachment of the gills. They grow on the ground or are elliptical.

_Stropharia semiglobata. Batsch._

THE SEMIGLOBOSE STROPHARIA. EDIBLE.

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd._

Figure 260.--Stropharia semiglobata.]

Semiglobata--semi, half; globus, a ball. The pileus is somewhat fleshy at the center, thin at the margin, hemispherical, not expanded, even, viscid when moist.

The stem is hollow, slender, straight, smooth, glutinous, yellowish, veil abrupt.

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, broad, plane, sometimes inclined to be ventricose, clouded with black.

This plant is very common on the Dunn farm on the Columbus Pike, north of Chillicothe, but is found everywhere in grassy places recently manured, or on dung.

This plant has been under the ban for a number of years, but like many others its bad reputation has been outlived. Found from May to November.

_Stropharia Hardii. Atkinson n. sp._

[Illustration: Figure 261.--Stropharia Hardii.]

Hardii is named for the collector and author of this book.

Plant 10 cm. high; pileus 9 cm. broad; stem 1½ cm. thick.

Pileus pale bright ochraceous; gills brownish, near Prout's brown (R); stem pale-yellow tinge.

Pileus convex to expanded, thick at the center, thin toward the margin, smooth; flesh tinged yellow.

Gills subelliptical to subventricose behind, broadly emarginate, adnexed. Basidia 4-spored. Spores suboblong, smooth, 5-9×3-5µ, purple-brown under the microscope.

Cystidia not very numerous on side of gills, varying from clavate to subventricose and sublanceolate, the free end more or less irregular when narrow, rarely branching below the apex, and usually with a prominent broad apiculus or with two or several short processes. Similar cells on edge of gills, but somewhat smaller and more regular.

Stem even at the base, tapering to a short root, transversely floccose, scaly both above and below the ring. The ring membranaceous, not prominent but still evident, about 2 cm. from the apex. _Atkinson._

The specimens in Figure 261 are very old plants. While the plant was in season I did not photograph it, but when Prof. Atkinson named it I hastened to find some good specimens but only two had survived sufficiently to photograph. They were found October 15, 1906, on Mr. Miller's farm in Poke Hollow near Chillicothe.

_Stropharia stercoraria. Fr._

THE DUNG STROPHARIA. EDIBLE.

Stercoraria is from stercus, dung. The pileus is slightly fleshy at the center but thin at the margin; hemispherical, then expanded, even, smooth, discoid, slightly striate on the margin.

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, slightly crowded, broad, white, umber, then olive-black.

The stem is three inches or more long, stuffed with a fibrous pith, equal, ring close to cap, flocculose below the ring, viscid when moist, yellowish.

This species is distinguished from the S. semiglobata by the distinct pithy substance with which the stem is stuffed, also by the fact that the cap is never fully expanded. It is found on dung and manure piles, in richly manured fields, and sometimes in woods.

_Stropharia æruginosa. Curt._

THE GREEN STROPHARIA.

Æruginosa is from ærugo, verdigris. The pileus is fleshy, plano-convex, subumbonate, clothed with a green evanescent slime, becoming paler as the slime disappears.

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, soft, brown, tinged with purple, slightly ventricose, not crowded.

The stem is hollow, equal, fibrillose or squamose below the ring, tinged with blue.

This species is quite variable in form and color. The most typical forms are found in the fall, in very wet weather and in shady woods. This is one of the species from which the ban has not been removed but its appearance will lead no one to care to cultivate its acquaintance further than name it. It is claimed by most writers that it is poisonous. Found in meadows and woods, from July to November.

_Hypholoma. Fr._

Hypholoma is from two Greek words, meaning a web and a fringe, referring to the web-like veil which frequently adheres to the margin of the cap, not forming a ring on the stem and not always apparent on old specimens.

The pileus is fleshy, margin at first incurved. The gills are attached to the stem, sometimes notched at the stem. The stem is fleshy, similar in substance to the cap.

They grow mostly in thick clusters on wood either above or under the ground. The spores are brown-purple, almost black.

This genus differs from the genus Agaricus from the fact that its gills are attached to the stem and its stem is destitute of a ring.

_Hypholoma incertum. Pk._

THE UNCERTAIN HYPHOLOMA. EDIBLE.

[Illustration: _By the courtesy of Captain McIlvaine._

Plate XXXVII. Figure 262.--Hypholoma incertum.]

Incertum, uncertain. Prof. Peck, who named this species, was uncertain whether it was not a form of H. candolleanum, to which it seemed to be very closely related; but as the gills of that plant are at first violaceous and of this one white at first, he concluded to risk the uncertainty on a new species.

The pileus is thin, ovate, broadly spreading, fragile, whitish, margin often wavy and often adorned with fragments of the woolly white veil, opaque when dry, transparent when moist.

The gills are thin, narrow, close, fastened to the stem at their inner extremity, white at first, then purplish-brown, edges often uneven.

The stem is equal, straight, hollow, white, slender, at least one to three inches long. The spores are purplish-brown and elliptical. It is found in lawns, gardens, pastures, and thin woods. It is small but grows in such profusion that one can obtain quantities of it. The caps are very tender and delicious. It appears as early as May.

_Hypholoma appendiculatum. Bull._

THE APPENDICULATE HYPHOLOMA. EDIBLE.

Appendiculatum, a small appendage. This is so called from the fragments of the veil adhering to the margin of the cap.

The pileus is thin, ovate, expanded, watery, when dry, covered with dry atoms; margin thin and often split, with a white veil; the color when moist dark-brown, when dry nearly white, often with floccose scales on the cap.

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, crowded, white, then rosy-brown, and at length dingy-brown.

The stem is hollow, smooth, equal, white, fibrous, mealy at the apex. The veil is very delicate and only seen in quite young plants.

The plant grows in the spring and the summer and is found on stumps and sometimes on lawns. It is a favorite mushroom with those who know it. The plant can be dried for winter use and retains its flavor to a remarkable degree.

Hypholoma candolleanum, Fr., resembles the H. appendiculatum in many features, but the gills are violaceous, becoming cinnamon-brown and in old plants nearly free from the stem. It has more substance. The caps, however, are very tender and delicious. Found in clusters.

_Hypholoma lachrymabundum. Fr._

THE WEEPING HYPHOLOMA.

[Illustration: Figure 263.--Hypholoma lachrymabundum. Two-thirds natural size.]

[Illustration: Figure 264.--Hypholoma lachrymabundum.]

Lachrymabundum--full of tears. This plant is so called because in the morning or in damp weather the edge of the gills retain very minute drops of water. The plant in Figure 263 was photographed in the afternoon yet there can be seen a number of these minute drops.

The pileus is fleshy, campanulate, then convex, sometimes broadly umbonate, spotted with hairy scales; flesh white.

The gills are closely attached to the stem, notched, crowded, somewhat ventricose, unequal, whitish, then brown-purple, distilling minute drops of dew in wet weather or in the morning.

The stem is hollow, somewhat thickened at the base, quite scaly with fibrils, often becoming brownish-red, two to three inches long. The spores are brownish-purple.

I have never found the plant elsewhere than on the Chillicothe high school lawn, and then not in sufficient numbers to test its edible qualities. When I do, I shall try it cautiously, but with full faith that I shall be permitted to try others. Found on the ground and on decayed wood. It often grows in clusters. September to October.

_Hypholoma sublateritium. Schaeff._

THE BRICK-RED HYPHOLOMA. EDIBLE.

[Illustration: Figure 265.--Hypholoma sublateritium. Natural size.]

_Sublateritium is from sub, under, and later, a brick._ The pileus is brick-red, with pale yellowish border; the surface is covered with fine silky fibres; fleshy, moist, and firm; the cap is from two to four inches broad; remnants of the veil are often seen on the margin; flesh creamy, firm, and bitter.

The gills are creamy when young, olive when old; attached to the stem at inner extremity, rather narrow, crowded, and unequal.

The stem is creamy when young, lower part slightly tinged with red, hollow or stuffed, having silky fibres on the surface, two to four inches long, often incurved because of position. The spores are sooty-brown and elliptical.

It grows in large clusters around old stumps. It is especially plentiful about Chillicothe. It is not equal to many others of the Hypholomas as an esculent. Sometimes it is bitter even after it is cooked. Captain McIlvaine gives a plausible reason when he says it may be due to the passage of larvæ through the flesh of the plant. It is found from September to early winter.

_Hypholoma perplexum. Pk._

THE PERPLEXING HYPHOLOMA. EDIBLE.

[Illustration: Figure 266.--Hypholoma perplexum. One-half natural size. Caps brown, with a pale yellow margin.]

Perplexum means perplexing; so called because it is quite difficult to distinguish it from H. sublateritium, also from H. fascicularis. From the latter it may be known by its redder cap, its whitish flesh, purple-brown tint of the mature gills and mild flavor. Its smaller size, the greenish and purplish tint of the gills, and the slender hollow stem will aid in distinguishing it from H. perplexum.

The pileus is complex, fleshy, expanded, smooth, sometimes broadly and slightly umbonate, brown with a pale-yellow margin, disk sometimes reddish.

The gills are rounded, notched, easily separating from the stem, pale-yellow, greenish ash-color, finally purplish-brown, thin, quite close.

The stem is nearly equal, firm, hollow, slightly fibrillose, yellowish or whitish above and reddish-brown below. The spores are elliptical and purplish brown.

This plant is very abundant in Ohio. It grows about old stumps, but a favorite habitat seems to be upon old sawdust piles. I have found it after we have had considerable freezing weather. The plants in the figure were frozen when I found them, the 27th of November. Dr. McIlvaine says in his book, "If the collector gets puzzled, as he will, over one or all of these species, because no description fits, he can whet his patience and his appetite by calling it H. perplexum and graciously eating it."

_Psilocybe. Pers._

_Psilocybe is from two Greek words, naked and head._ The spores are purple-brown or slate color. The pileus is smooth, at first incurved, brownish or purple. The stem is cartilaginous, ringless, tough, hollow, or stuffed, often rooting. Generally growing on the ground.

_Psilocybe foenisecii. Pers._

THE BROWN PSILOCYBE.

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd._

Figure 267.--Psilocybe foenisecii. One-half natural size.]

Foenisecii means mown hay.

The pileus is somewhat fleshy, smoky-brown or brownish, convex, campanulate at first, then expanded; obtuse, dry, smooth.

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, ventricose, not crowded, brownish-umber.

The stem is hollow, straight, even, smooth, not rooting, white, covered with dust, then brownish.

Quite common in grassy lawns and fields after summer rains. I have never eaten it, but I have no doubt of its esculent qualities.

_Psilocybe spadicea. Schaeff._

THE BAY PSILOCYBE. EDIBLE.

Spadicea means bay or date-brown.

The pileus is fleshy, convex-plane, obtuse, even, moist, hygrophanous, bright bay-brown, paler when dry.

The gills are rounded behind, attached to stem, easily separating from it, narrow, dry, crowded, white, then rosy-brown or flesh-color.

The stem is hollow, tough, pallid, equal, smooth, one to two inches long. They grow in dense clusters where old stumps have been or where wood has decayed. The caps are small but very good. They are found from September to frost or freezing weather.

_Psilocybe ammophila. Mont._

[Illustration: Figure 268.--Psilocybe ammophila. Two-thirds natural size, showing the sand on the base.]

Ammophila is from two Greek words; ammos, sand, and philos, loving; so called because the plants seem to delight to grow in sandy soil.

The pileus is small, convex, expanded, umbilicate, at first hemispherical, rather fleshy, yellow, tinged with red, fibrillose.

The gills are smoky in color, with a decurrent tooth, powdered with the blackish spores.

The stem is soft, rather short, hollow, lower half clavate and sunk into the sand, striate. The spores are 12×8.

They are found in August and September. They delight in sandy soil, as the specific name indicates. The plants in the photograph were found near Columbus and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. It is quite common in sandy soil. I do not think it is edible. I should advise great caution in its use.

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