and splitting in the middle; spores white. The plants are
usually found growing upon dead tree stumps; some grow upon the ground;
a few are parasitic on other fungi or springing from _sclerotia_, small
impacted masses of mycelium. The species are generally small and firm
and of slow growth. A few are edible, some few have an unpleasant odor.
On account of the cartilaginous stem and the dryness of their substance,
some of the smaller species are apt to be taken for Marasmii. Note:
Saccardo in his Sylloge gives Collybia generic rank.

[Illustration: Plate XIII.
EDIBLE
Figs. 1 to 3 Agaricus (Collybia) fusipes, Bull.
"_Spindle Foot Collybia_."
Figs. 4 to 6 Agaricus (Collybia) maculatus, A. & S.
"_Spotted White Collybia_."
Figs. 7 to 9 Agaricus (Collybia) velutipes, Curt.
"_Velvet Footed Collybia_."
T. Taylor, del.]

PLATE XIII.

FIGS. 1 to 3.--=Ag. (Collybia) fusipes= Bull. "_Spindle-Foot
Collybia_."

EDIBLE.

Cap fleshy, somewhat tough, convex, then plane, smooth, even or slightly
cracked in places, umbo evanescent, reddish brown; gills adnexed, nearly
free, broad, distant, at length separating near the stem, firm, white,
changing to fawn color, or pale brown often spotted; stem long, stuffed,
then hollow, externally cartilaginous, contorted, swollen in the middle,
cracking in longitudinal slits, fusiform, tapering narrowly to a rooted
base, reddish brown. On stumps in woods in the autumn. Cap 1 to 2 inches
broad; stem 2 to 6 inches long. This species is densely caespitose. It is
very generally recorded among authors as edible, although the flesh is
somewhat tough. It requires long and slow cooking. An English author
recommends it for pickling. Only the caps should be used for this
purpose.

FIGS. 4 to 6.--=Ag. (Collybia) maculatus= A. & S. (=Collybia
maculata=). "_Spotted White Collybia_."

Cap fleshy and compact, convexo-plane, obtuse, smooth, even, margin
thin, at first involute, turned inwards, white; stem long and stout,
externally cartilaginous, ventricose, sometimes striate, tapering
towards the base; gills free, or nearly so, narrow, crowded, somewhat
linear, white, becoming spotted. Taste slightly acid. The whole plant is
creamy white, becoming spotted and stained throughout with rusty-brown
or foxy-red tints. The plants are usually large, long stemmed, and grow
in irregular clusters on decayed tree stumps in woods. Specimens o