P. soli´dipes Pk.—solidus, solid; pes, a foot. (Plate [CII], fig. 3, 4, p. 372.) Pileus 2–3 in. across, firm, at first hemispherical, then sub-campanulate or convex, smooth, whitish, the cuticle at length breaking up into dingy-yellowish, rather large, angular scales. Gills broad, slightly attached, whitish, becoming black. Stem 2–4 lines thick, firm, smooth, white, solid, slightly striate at the top. Spores very black with a bluish tint. Height of plant 5–8 in. Dung heaps. West Albany. June.
A large species, remarkable for its solid stem. The scales on the pileus are larger on the disk, becoming smaller toward the margin. The upper part of the stipe is sometimes beaded with drops of moisture. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
West Virginia, 1881–1885. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, frequent on dung and dung heaps. May to frost. McIlvaine.
On mature plants, or after rains, the scales are not always present.
P. solidipes is a handsome, readily recognized species of good weight and substance. It is one of the best of toadstools.
P. campanula´tus Linn.—campanula, a little bell. Pileus oval, bell-shaped or obtusely conical, sometimes umbonate, smooth, somewhat shining, brownish, with a peculiar gray or lead-colored tint, sometimes becoming reddish-tinted, the margin, often scalloped or fringed with the appendiculate veil. Lamellæ not broad, attached, becoming grayish-black. Stem long, slender, hollow, reddish, pruinose and slightly striate at the top, at length dusted with the spores.
Height 4–6 in., breadth of pileus 6–12 lines.
On horse dung and rich soil. June and July. Common.
In very wet weather the cuticle of the pileus sometimes cracks into scales or areas. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Spores subellipsoid, 16–18×10–13µ K.; 8–9×6µ Massee.