50 EDIBLE AND POISONOUS MUSHROOMS. 



become " worm-eaten '' when they are fully 

 matured. This is the species commonly 

 sold as " mushrooms ' in London, except 

 the cultivated varieties, which are found in 

 the best places and at the best prices. It 

 is preferred in country districts for ketchup, 

 where it is seldom eaten, on the ground 

 that it is coarse and strong. Some of the 

 most experienced of fungus-eaters prefer 

 it, however, to every other species, except- 

 ing the rare Agaricus Elvensis, which is 

 acknowledged to be the " mushroom royal." 

 It must be remembered that neither this 

 species nor the Common Mushroom grow 

 habitually in woods, but in open grassy 

 places, old pastures, parks, and meadows. 



