also frequently appears in old beds composed of decayed stable manure which has been used for forcing beds for early vegetables.
Shaggy Mushroom (Coprinus comatus Fr.).—The accompanying Fig. 63 represents a group of three specimens of this variety of mushroom growing from a single base. The largest one is already showing signs of liquefaction and decomposition and a part of the cap has already disappeared. One of the peculiarities of this species is that beginning with the edge of the cap the whole mushroom dissolves sometimes within a day, when it is full grown, into an inky-black fluid. A portion of this inky fluid has run partly down the white stem of the largest mushroom. The cap of this mushroom, except when it begins to liquefy, resembles somewhat the form of a partially closed umbrella. In the early stages of growth the cap, gills, and stem are white, except the apex of the cap, which is generally dark-colored. The surface of the cap is covered with delicate lacerated scales, the characteristic from which the name comatus or shaggy is derived. The juice from the fresh sample is colorless as water. When it first begins to turn it is wine-colored, and until the juice is very deeply discolored the sample is still edible. After the juice has turned completely black it is considered too old to be eaten. This species of mushroom grows best in shady places, in a soil well supplied with humus. The season in which this variety of mushroom is most abundant is late in the autumn or early in the winter, when the nights are cold but the ground is not yet frozen. The liquefaction and decay of this mushroom come on so quickly that it is not usually infested with larvæ which do not have time to develop before the mushroom is reduced to a shapeless mass. The most common organism found is the myriapod, a thousand-legged worm, which often finds its way between the gills and stem. This cavity should always be examined for worms of this kind when the mushroom is being prepared for the table.
Fairy Ring Mushroom (Marasmius oreades Fr.).—This variety is one which is interesting both on account of its edible properties and by reason of the circular areas in which it often grows. This illustration is about three-fourths of the natural size. The tendency of this variety to grow in the annual form designated is beautifully shown in the accompanying figure, from a photograph taken on the grounds of the Department of Agriculture. The ring in question is seven feet in diameter and the photograph was taken early in November. The stem in this variety has no ring,—the gills are few and widely separated and the cap as it becomes fully expanded has a peculiar knob-like projection in the center. This gives a characteristic appearance to this variety of mushroom. The cap and stem are colored a pinkish-buff, and the gills have a lighter shade of the same color varying in early growth toward a cream tint. The spores are white and can be observed by placing the cap, as already indicated, on a dark-colored paper, preferably
