EDIBLE MUSHROOMS. 39 



BLUE CAPS. 



Agaricus (Tricholoma) nudus. 



(Plate III. Fig. I.) 



The Blue Caps are mostly found, grow- 

 ing in company, amongst dead leaves, or 

 even on the ground, in woods and shady 

 places. The entire plant, when well grown, 

 is of a beautiful lilac colour, but the top of 

 the cap soon shows a tendency to turn of a 

 dull reddish, or vinous colour. Usually the 

 cap is from two to three inches in diameter, 

 but we have seen them attain to six inches, 

 often contorted through growing in tufts. 

 The spores are white, and the stem has no 

 collar or ring. The flesh is firm and solid, 

 of the same tint, but paler than the exterior, 

 and there is a slight mealy odour. This 

 species is often found with the Dusky 

 Caps, but is commonly smaller, and of a 

 different colour, although there is a great 

 similarity in flavour when cooked. The 

 tone of colour is never a decided blue, 



