COPRINARII (SPORES BLACK OR NEARLY SO). Genus _Coprinus_ Fries. Hymenophore 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 of the wooden block pavements used for surface soiling gardens in vicinity of the capital. They have been offered for sale in open market as low as 25 cents per pound.