An History of Fungusses, growing about Halifax (Vols 1-2)

Shows the gills arranged in one series only, being all extended from the top of the stem to the rim of the pileus; as in the Agaricus integer, luridus, fimetarius, &c.

The gills furnish us with many other aids, which must necessarily be attended to in order to investigate the species. In some they are narrow and arched, so as to render the lower surface of the Agaric, as it were, excavated or hollow; in others they are straight, making the lower surface nearly plain or flat; in others again they are broad and deep, so as to render it prominent or bellied. In some they are thin, numerous, and very closely arranged; in others they are gross and remote. In some the first series adheres by a broad base to the top of the stem, and grows narrower towards the extremity; in others they are broad and lopped off at the base, either adhering to the stem by a small claw, or not at all adhering thereto. In some they are broadest in the middle, growing narrower to each extremity; in others they are narrow and pointed at the base, and grow broader and broader to the extremity, where they are lopped off obtusely. The above circumstances regarding the gills being constant, ought by no means to be disregarded in the description of the species.

Much confusion has long prevailed in this genus of plants, chiefly owing to the brief or obscure descriptions which have been given of them; for their parts are so few that every one of them ought to be regarded with the greatest care, with all that is singular and peculiar to its circumstances.

In describing an Agaric, every part of the plant should be examined in respect to the following particulars.