PARASOL MUSHROOMS. 5 I 



suspicious, and some taught that it was unwholesome, 

 but this was undoubtedly a mere guess from the 

 change of colour when broken. Practically there is 

 no difference in their edible qualities, and we have 

 eaten both of them many times and oft. Similar 

 stations and the same season of the year produce 

 both. 



Another but more slender species is common in 

 some localities, and not found at all in others 

 {A^aricus gracilentus). It grows amongst grass by 

 the roadside, but is thinner in the flesh, and not so 

 much commended. There is a slight resemblance to 

 the Parasol, but it is smaller, and the scales on the 

 cap are much smaller and less conspicuous, the stem 

 is thinner and almost white, with but a slight swell- 

 ing at the base. There is no conspicuous brown 

 apex to the cap, which is less pointed, and less 

 fibrous in the cuticle and margin. The entire 

 stature is about six inches, but the erect stem is 

 scarcely thicker than a pipe stem. It is to be found 

 about the same period of the year as the above, but 

 would hardly be sought after provided the larger 

 species could be obtained. 



If it were not comparatively rare the fawn-coloured 

 Parasol would compete with the true Parasol, in 

 culinary value. But this {Agarzais excoriatus) is the 

 rarest of the four species, and least like a parasol in 

 shape. The cap is not more than 2j inches broad 

 and of a general fawn colour. The cuticle is smooth 



