EDIBLE MUSHROOMS. 41 



FAIRY RING CHAMPIGNON. 



Marasmius oreades. 



(Plate III. Fig. 2.) 



This species is extensively known, grow- 

 ing in clusters, and forming rings, or parts 

 of rings, on lawns, and in old pastures, 

 sometimes by the roadsides, but not in 

 woods. It is rather an early species, being 

 found in summer, and becoming rare in 

 September. Its whole substance is dry and 

 elastic, but not fragile ; a dozen may be 

 carried in the pocket without breaking, and 

 it dries so readily that it may be kept for 

 winter use. Its usual size is about one inch 

 in diameter of the cap, but sometimes double 

 that size. The pileus is convex, with a little 

 depression round the centre, and of a pale 

 tan-colour when moist, or warm ochre when 

 dry. The stem is slender, equal, solid, and 

 white, very faintly woolly, but naked at the 

 base. The gills are broad, rather distant 

 apart, with shorter ones between, and nearly 



