descriptions given are general, including every state of A. arvemis, they fail in pointing out a particular 

 state with the required precision; we have, therefore, selected in our "specific character" those points 

 only wliich reaUy belong to A. arvensis, var. exquisitits, contrasting them with others appertaining to 

 different individuals nearly allied. This esculent and excellent Agaric then wliich we have now figured, 

 and consider to be identical with the true " Horse Mushroom," grows in rings or is otherwise gregarious in 

 pastures, in the same situations as the Common Mushroom, and having greatly the habit and appearance of 

 it ; but it is taller, larger altogether, much less friable, splitting easily longitudinally, but not transversely ; 

 the gills are paler, greyish, not rich pink. 



The principal points of difference between this and the tufted varieties of Arvensis, are, in the first 

 place, that it is never tufted, or confluent at the base; the stem is therefore never lateral, but erect, smooth, 

 and nearly equal at full growth ; for although in its earliest stage the base is often wider than the pUens, 

 this disproportion is lost as it grows ; the stem becomes hollow with age, being at first only stuffed, but 

 the internal groove is not a regular channel. The texture of pileus and stem is fleshy and brittle, not 

 tough, corky, and woody. The pileus is never entirely yellow, merely changing to that hue, in spots and 

 scratches ; it is also never scaly. The gQls are in no stage red, or even pink, but pale flesh-coloured 

 with a lilac tinge, afterwards darkened by the ripe spores. 



A form of this A. exquisitus is found in shrubberies, or close to the stems of trees in fields, which is 

 very hard, compact and slow of growth, turning rapidly yellow ; it has a small conical, lobed pileus, wliich 

 never expands fairly ; this kind is good for nothing, is perhaps dangerous, certainly indigestible, and being 

 nearly juiceless, not fit for ketchup. No one, however, should eat the genuine Exquisitm in the button 

 state, be the digestive organs in ever so good tone ; select it from a pure open pasture, in a season when 

 growth is extremely rapid, the texture then being less compact, at the age when the veil is just breaking 

 away ; under these circumstances it is excellent either broiled or stewed ; in matiirer age we only recom- 

 mend it for ketchup. Never eat the substance of a flap containing larvae ; neglect of this caution is the 

 reason why even genuine Mushrooms make people iU — incipieut putrefaction is not wholesome in meat or 

 fish ; then why call one article of food poisonous because it disagrees with the stomach, when eaten in a 

 state you condemn in another instantly. 



A gorgeous variety of A. arvensis we shall notice separately ; another kind resembhng that perfectly in 

 anatomy, but every way smaller, is known as the " Hedge Mushroom ; " neither of these ever grow in rings 

 in open fields, but always tufted on banks and similar situations. In ketchup both are innoxious, but the 

 Hedge Mushroom, eaten in substance, produces violent sickness, and cases adverse to the wholesomeness 

 of Muslirooms may generally be traced to this species. It never has the .slightest tinge of yellow ; the 

 epidermis is covered regularly with small brown scales ; and the gills are deep red of a lui-id chalky hue, not 

 rose-red; the stem is so hoUow as to be very characteristic, and splits into fibres longitudinaUy ; this 

 Agaric has no juice. Another much like it, and in anatomy agreeing with Arvensis not Canvpestris, turns a 

 brilliant scarlet red, or bleeds, as it were, when cut or broken : this is considered by country collectors the 

 " kuig of mushrooms," but is not common. 



And now, gentle reader, call these Horse Mushrooms if you please, for so they are ; but be so kind as to 

 forget that Sowerby ever committed the mistake of using the name Georgii for them ; that is the Prunulus 

 of Italy, which does appear about St. George's day, (2-3rd of April, old style,) whereas this seldom is found 

 before July. 



These different varieties are at present to be considered under the head A. arvensis (Field Mushroom), 

 of Schoeffer and Fries, the form depicted to accompany tliis account being A. exquisitus, Vittadini, anglice, 

 white caps, or Boule de Neige of our Gallic neighbours, always dark beneath in age; whereas the true 

 Georgii is permanently white. 



