phore distinct from the stem. Gills
membranaceous, at first coherent from the pressure, then dissolving into
a black fluid. Trama obsolete. Spores, oval, even, black. M. C. Cooke.

The plants of this genus have been divided into two tribes, viz.,
_Pelliculosi_ and _Veliformis_. In the _Pelliculosi_ the gills of the
mushrooms are covered with a fleshy or membranaceous cuticle, hence the
cap is not furrowed along the lines of the gills, but is torn and
revolute. In this tribe are included the _Comati_, _Atramentarii_,
_Picacei_, _Tomentosi_, _Micacio_ and _Glabrati_. In the tribe
_Veliformis_ the plants are generally very small, and the cap much
thinner than in those of the _Pelliculosi_, soon showing distinct
furrows along the back of the gills, which quickly melt into very thin
lines. The stem is thin and fistulose.

Cordier states that all the species of _Coprinus_ are edible when young
and fresh. This is probably true, but most of them have so little
substance and are so ephemeral as to be of small value for food
purposes. _C. comatus_, _C. atramentarius_, _C. micaceus_, and _C.
ovatus_ have the preference with most mycophagists, but even these soon
melt, and should be gathered promptly and cooked immediately to be of
use for the table.

[Illustration: Plate II.
COPRINUS COMATUS FR. (EDIBLE)
The Maned Mushroom from Nature
Collected in the District of Columbia
Report of Microscopist, U. S. Department of Agriculture 1893
L. Krieger, Pinx.
AVIL. CO. LITH. PHILA.]

PLATE II.

=Coprinus comatus= Fries. _Maned or Shaggy Coprinus_.

EDIBLE.

Cap at first oblong or cylindrical, then campanulate, the cuticle
breaking into shaggy fibrous scales, color whitish, the scales generally
yellow or yellowish, margin revolute and lacerated, soon becoming black.
Gills linear, free, and close together, at first white, then pink or
purplish, turning to black. Stem hollow or slightly stuffed, nearly
equal, somewhat fibrillose, with bulb solid; the ring movable or very
slightly adherent, generally disappearing as the plant matures. Spores
oval, black, .0005 to .0007 in. long.

This species is found in abundance in different parts of the United
States, generally in rich soil, in pastures, by roadsides, in dumping
lots, etc. Of late years quantities have been gathered in the lawn
surrounding the Capitol grounds, and in the parks of the District of
Columbia, as well as in the debris