, I
iiiî
In conclusion, it may be well to caution young students of
Fungology against confounding galls with Fungi. The similarity
of form which often exists between them is surprising,
as if Nature delighted in reproducing the same form under
circumstances so very different. Neither must he confound
with Fungi the diseased hairs of leaves, which assume such a
variety of forms and colours, with true epiphytes. These
forms, indeed, are all registered by botanists under the genus
Erineimi, hut they have no more pretence to be admitted
amongst Fungi than oak-apples or oak-spangles.*
* Since the above was written, I have seen De Bary’s paper on the production
o f asci in little swellings which occur on the gills of Agaricus melleus, after
the white spores have fallen. This important obseiwation requires farther investigation
; hut even though it should turn out, which I do not think probable,
that ah Hymenomycetes have a secondary form o f fruit, the arrangement which
follows would not cease to bo natural, though th e terms under which it is exhibited
would require to he altered. See ‘ Botanische Zeitung,’ 1859,
Okdee 1. AGAMIOINI.
Hymeninm inferior, spread over the surface of distinct
gill-like processes, which are easily divisible into two plates.
1. AGARICUS, L.
Gills membranaceous, persistent (not melting) ; trama filamentous,
continuous with the substance of the pileus ; edge
acute. Flesliy putrescent Fungi.
Series 1 . L e t t c o s p o k i .— Spores white.
Subgenus 1 . A m a n i t a .—Veil universal, distinct from the cuticle
of the pileus. Hymenophorum distinct from the stem.
* Ming distinct.
1. A. (Amanita) vernus. Bull. ; white ; pileus at first ovate,
viscid, margin even ; stem bulbous, closely embraced by the
free limb of the volva; gills free.—Bull. t. 1 0 8 .
In woods, early in the summer. Poisonous.
3. A. (Amanita) Phalloides, Fr. ; pileus at first campanu-
late, viscid when moist; margin even, regular; volva free
a h o v e , bulbous; gills rounded, ventricose. (Plate 3, fig. 1 . ) '
In woods. Variously coloured, often greenish.