Order Hymenomtcetes. Tribe Pileati. 



Plate IX. 



AGARICUS INEBULARIS, ^.^.c/j. 



Neio-cheese Agaric. 

 Series Leucosporus. Sub-genus Clitocybe. 



Sub-division Dasyphyllt.* 



Spec. Cliar. Agakicus nebularis. Pileus four inches or more broad, compact, even, at first conico-convex, 

 obtuse, witli a broad umbo, round which there is a slight depression in age, but never in the centre, quite smooth, 

 when youno' fuligino-cinereous, afterwards paler and more ochraceous, the margin involute, pruinose, at length 

 waved, gradually expanded, but never plane. Flesh thick, wliite. GiUs subdecurrent, arched, narrow, very close, 

 sometimes in age emarg-inate, with a decm-rent tooth, ivory or cream-colour ; in the variety A. tnrgidus, of GreviUe, 

 thev are ochraceous. Stem from two to four inches high, half an inch or more thick, more or less bulbous and 

 incurved at the base, not rooting in the earth, but supported among dead leaves by a cottony web, in youth 

 appearing solid, but truly stuffed, firm, elastic, at leng-th hollow, at first fibrOloso-squamulose, paler than the pileus, 

 sometimes twisted. Odom- strong, like new cheese. Esculent, excellent. 

 Agaricus nebularis, Fries, Berkeley. 



pileolarius, BulUard. 



canaliculatus, Schumacher. 



turgidus, GreviUe. 



. caseus, Withering. 



Hab. Among accumulations of dead leaves, in plantations, &c., not in dense woods. Not common. Autumnal. 



There is a liiglily-fiuislied elegance about tlie contour of Agaricus nebularis when in perfection, with 

 which the quiet Quaker garb accords admirably ; colour sufficient is given to it for relief, while the purity 

 of the ivory gills, the delicate soft texture of the pileus, the snowy flesh when broken, and the faint but 

 not disagreeable odour of new cheese, must remove prejudice as to its being a proper article for food. Of 

 all the mycological dainties we have induced various accomplished gastronomes to taste, this Agaric has 

 had the most votes in its favour ; but we must explain, that it is as being in itself a delicate agreeable 

 article of diet that it claims attention, not as resembling the common mushroom, or in any way as a sub- 

 stitute for it ; no comparison can be instituted between the two. It is extremely tender and digestible 

 when carefully cooked, which is best performed by frying in a small quantity of fresh butter tiH crisp and 

 slightly browned, pepper and salt being sprinkled upon it during the operation. No Agaric is more 



• From ha<jvs, close, and c^iXKov, a leaf, in allusion to the gills. Pileus dry, smooth. Gills close, deciu-rent, 

 or acutely adnate. 



