142 BRITISH EDIBLE FUNGI. 



group of tree agarics. It is so common that it may 

 be seen growing in September on almost every de- 

 caying elm (and decaying elms are by no means 

 rare) ; often again, unfortunately, high up in the 

 tree. We have a vivid recollection of an excursion 

 during which one of the party ventured to climb an 

 old elm to secure a splendid specimen of this fungus, 

 which was many inches across, and a white nutty 

 flesh, more than an inch in thickness. The fungus 

 came down, and so did the climber, for he trusted to 

 a rotten bough, and both descended together. Poor 

 fellow, his excursion was ended for that day, and it 

 was some time before he recovered wholly, although 

 no bones were broken. The fungus was so large 

 that it was divided between three or four persons, 

 each of whom had a good meal, for it was in a prime 

 condition. 



This reminds us that we have not yet attempted to 

 describe the elm tree mushroom. It does not grow 

 in clusters, or not more than three or four together in 

 a clump, sometimes only one, but it attains a large 

 size, six to nine inches in diameter, with a thick, 

 white flesh. The colour of the cap is a creamy 

 white, turning a little rusty in the centre when old. 

 It is almost round, or rather elongated, and fan 

 shaped with a thick, curved, oblique stem, entering 

 the cap away from the centre, towards one side, so 

 that it is what is termed excentric. Upwards it is 

 smooth, but rather woolly below, expanding into the 



