Order Hymenomycetes. Tribe Pileati. 



Plate XL. 



AGARICUS PRATENSIS, p™. 



Meadow Agaric. 



Series Leucosporus. 



Sub-genus Clitocybe.' Sub-division Camarophylli.^ 



Spec. Cliar. A. pratensis. Pileus from one inch to three inches broad, firm, sub-compact, becoming partially 

 expanded towards the margin, the centre remaining more or less convex, as if umbonate ; margin often cracked, 

 frequently contracted or lobcd; dry, smooth, buff, orange-reddish or brownish. Gills thick, decurrent, distant, 

 connected by veins, separable from the flesh of the pileus, of a paler shade of the same reddish buff-colour. Flesh 

 nearly white, thick in the centre, thin at the margin, firm, elastic. Stem short, stuffed, attenuated below, white or 

 huffish. Odour and taste agreeable ; esculent. 

 AoAKicus pratensis, Persoon, Berkeley^ Fries, GreeiUe. 



Hah. Pastures. August to November. 



The. gills of this Agaric arc remarked upon as being " separable from the flesh of the pileus ;" in the 

 Chanterelle family tliey are not, and this point being attended to, may serve to decide the question of a 

 given Fungus being an Agaric or a Cantharellus. In the present case the likeness to C. cibarius is so 

 strong that mistakes would be extremely probable without some test : it is true the Chanterelle is redolent 

 of luscious green-gages or melting apricots from tlie soutli-wall, or Iris Zic-Zac distilling its fragrant honey 

 in the fervid sun for the delectation of the ants ; but every one has not a perfect sense of smell, so that to 

 rely on it entirely for a guide would be trusting too far. Agaricus pratensis is commonly of a clean buff-tint 

 with a tinge occasionally of a redder shade ; but very large specimens of most luxuriant developement from 

 Hampshire, had the pileus of a deep dull orange. The odour is slight but agreeable, and it is esculent ; so 

 also is an Agaric, nearly related to it, A. virgineiis, but the latter is much more common, and generally 

 white, only tm'ning ycllowish-bro-wn in fading, so that it has been mistaken for the true Pratensis by those 

 who were unacquainted with both Funguses. A. virgineus grows in rings occasionally, or rather in groups 

 forming portions of a circle; it is much more brittle than the Pratensis, the latter being extremely solid and 

 firm, and requiring gentle stewing for some time; neither can be recommended as among the best of the 

 mushroom tribe, but they will furnish a tolerable dish to the amateur of the food in the deficiency of the 



- From (cXiVos, a steep or (lecUmly, and Kvlirj, a lierifl, pointing to the shape of the pileus when young. Ycil 

 none. Pileus convex when young, not umbihcate, at length depressed or infundibuhform. Gills unequal, juiceless, 

 unchangeable, tough, variously fixed or free. Spores white, 



- From Ka/uipa, a vault, and ipiXKov, a leaf. Pileus sub-compact, dry. Gills distant, vaulted, decmrent. 



