This interesting species is related to the C. floccosus, both by its short stem and its abundantly anastomosing folds. The two species should be separated from the others and constitute a distinct section. The flesh in C. brevipes is soft and whitish, and the folds are generally thinner than in C. floccosus. _Peck_, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot. Plentiful in West Virginia mountains in 1884, growing in patches. Found in mixed woods near Cheltenham, Pa., and at Springton, Pa., 1887. In West Virginia it is prolific and rivals the C. cibarius in excellence. The flesh is softer, not so fibrous, and cooks more readily. In that locality there is a marked difference between C. brevipes and C. floccosus. The latter is much longer, and markedly resembles the large end of a gold lined cornet. Like the C. cibarius it is not of as good quality in eastern states. [Illustration] =NYC´TALIS= Fr. _Gr_—night. From inhabiting dark places. (Plate L.) [Illustration: NYCTALIS PARASITICUS.] Hymenophore continuous with the stem. =Gills= fleshy, thick, juicy, obtuse at the edge, not decurrent on the stem nor fold-like. =Veil= (in species which have been fully observed) floccoso-pruinose. _Fleshy fungi, not reviving, of uncertain and irregular occurrence, differing in many respects from one another and from the rest of the Agaricini._ _Fries._ The typical species are saprophytic on decaying fungi. But one species, Nyctalis asterophora, reported in America. See _Peck_, 26th Rep. N.Y. State Bot. =MARAS´MIUS= Fr. _Gr_—to wither or shrivel. (Plate LI.) [Illustration: MARASMIUS OREADES. About one-half natural size. ] =Pileus= regular, thin, tough and pliant. =Gills= pliant, rather tough, somewhat distant, variously attached or free, with an acute entire edge. =Stem= cartilaginous or horny, continuous with the pileus but of different texture. Not putrescent but drying up with lack of moisture, reviving and assuming the original form with the advent of rain. This character distinguishes Marasmius from all other genera of Agaricaceæ. Its nearer relations are Collybia and Mycena. Fries says that all Agaricaceæ having the smell of garlic are found in this genus. On the ground, but generally on wood or leaves. Professor Peck reports over forty species of this genus found in New York state. Several not found in New York are reported from other states. The writer has found a few such species in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Many untried species will probably prove to be edible; the majority are too small to be of food value. M. urens, reported poisonous, and M. peronatus, heretofore considered poisonous, have been found by the writer to be edible. Several species not described herein have been tested for edibility to a limited extent only.