THE SHAGGY DUNG COPRINUS.

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

Plate XXXIX. Figure 275.--Coprinus fimetarius.]

_Fimetarius is from fimetum, a dunghill._ The pileus is somewhat
membranaceous, clavate, then conical, at length torn and revolute; at
first rough with floccose scales, then naked; longitudinally cracked and
furrowed, even at the apex. The stem is inclined to be scaly, thickened
at the base, solid. The gills are free, reaching the stem, at first
ventricose, then linear, brownish-black. _Fries._

This is quite a variable plant. There are a number of varieties classed
under this species. It is said to be of excellent flavor. I have never
eaten it.

_Panaeolus. Fr._

Panaeolus is from two Greek words, all; variegated. This genus is so
called from the mottled appearance of the gills. The pileus is somewhat
fleshy, margin even, but never striate. The margin always extends beyond
the gills and the gills are not uniform in color. The mottled appearance
of the gills is due to the falling of the black spores. The gills do not
deliquesce.

The stem is smooth, sometimes scaly, at times quite long, hollow. The
veil, when present, is interwoven.

This plant is found on rich lawns recently manured, but principally on
dung.

There are only two edible species, P. retirugis and P. solidipes. The
other species would not be likely to attract the attention of the
ordinary collector.

_Panaeolus retirugis. Fr._

THE RIBBED PANAEOLUS. EDIBLE.

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

Plate XL. Figure 276.--Panaeolus retirugis. Natural size, showing
portions of the veil on the margin.]

Retirugis is from rete, a net; ruga, a wrinkle. The pileus is about one
inch in diameter, inclined to be globose, then hemispherical, slightly
umbonate, center darker, with united raised ribs, sometimes sprinkled
with opaque atoms; veil torn, appendiculate.

The gills are fixed, ascending, broad in middle; and in the expanded
forms the gills are separated more and more from the stem and finally
appear more or less triangular; cinereous-black, frequently somewhat
clouded.

The stem is equal, covered with a frost-like bloom, cylindrical,
sometimes tortuous, cartilaginous, becoming hollow, pinkish-purple,
always darker below and paler above, bulbous.

The veil in young and unexpanded plants is quite strong and prominent;
as the stem elongates it loosens from the stem, and as the cap expands
it breaks into segments, frequ