POISONOUS MUSHROOMS. 105 



WOOD WOOLLY FOOT 



Marasmius peronatus. 



(Plate XIV. Fig. 2.) 



This is supposed to be the woodland re- 

 presentative of the Fairy King' Champignon, 

 and persons have been often cautioned 

 against confounding them, which is a libel 

 on humanity, for they are nothing like 

 each other. This species is autumnal, 

 being plentiful in September and October, 

 with a dry, dull umber-coloured pileus, 

 about two inches in diameter, gills which 

 are broad and rather distant, of almost the 

 same colour, but with a slight tinge of 

 purple, and an erect rigid stem, the lower 

 half of which is clothed with a pale 

 yellowish, shaggy wool. The spores are 

 white, notwithstanding the dark gills. 

 This species is reputed poisonous, and yet 

 it is sometimes mild enough to the taste, 

 when fresh. Like the Champignon, it is 

 very tough and flexible, so that specimens 



