24 BRITISH EDIBLE FUNGI. 



III.— THE COMMON MUSHROOM. 



In most countries, and in past times as well as the 

 present, the common mushroom {Agaricus caiiipestris) 

 has been held to occupy the place of honour amongst 

 edible fungi. In Europe, Asia, America, and Australia 

 it is equally esteemed, as it is, fortunately, thus widely 

 distributed over the world, and readily recognized by 

 natives or migrants, without fear or accident. That 

 there are others equally good, and to some tastes 

 better, is not yet an article of general faith, and so 

 the " mushroom " continues to hold its reputation of 

 pre-eminence. The roughest rustic, and the plainest 

 of cooks, equally deem themselves capable of decid- 

 ing between a " mushroom " and a " toadstool," and, 

 truth to tell, seldom make any mistake. Whether it 

 be necessary or not, it is expedient that we give a 

 brief outline of its principal features for the discrim- 

 ination of this fungus as found growing wild. The 

 cultivated varieties differ a little in appearance, but 

 are usually safe. 



The mushroom is found growing amongst short 

 grass in parks, lawns, and open places, and seldom 

 exceeds three or four inches in diameter of the pileus, 

 or cap, and often less. The stem is scarcely so long 

 as the diameter of the pileus, and is proportionately 

 thick. The upper part of the stem is encircled by 



