112 EDIBLE AND POISONOUS MUSHROOMS. 



the absence of the distinct membranaceous 

 ring. 



A similar species resembles (rather than 

 imitates) the St. George's Mushroom ; this 

 is Ag. crustuliniformis, which is about the 

 same size, but less robust and fleshy, darker 

 in colour, resembling a cracknel, with dusky 

 gills and dark brown spores. Instead of 

 the very strong mushroomy odour of the 

 St. George's Mushroom, it has a faint, dis- 

 agreeable smell, and, to complete the decep- 

 tion, it has the habit of coming up in rings, 

 but it grows in woods and not in pastures, 

 and comes up in the autumn instead of the 

 spring. This also is a reputed deleterious 

 species. 



