in rich pastures, where the grass is kept short, or in similar waste 

 places. Its time of appearance is late summer and autumn. It 

 will scarcely be found in this latitude before the middle of Aug- 

 ust, though it is said sometimes to appear in spring. I suspect 

 that in such cases the next species has been mistaken for it. I 

 have never found it growing in thick woods. 



Almost every cook knows how to prepare this mushroom for 

 the table, and many receipts for cooking it are given in cook 

 books. 'No extended directions are therefore necessary here. 

 One of the simplest methods, and one which may be employed 

 in cooking this and many other tender species, is to fry gently 

 in butter, seasoning according to taste. They may be stewed in 

 milk or cream, or broiled on a gridiron, or baked in an oven, as 

 preferred. To some tastes they are very acceptable when eaten 

 raw. Dr. Cooke says: "Wben abroad on a day's excursion, one 

 or two of these raw specimens are an excellent substitute for 

 sandwiches, as they satisfy himger, are nutritive and digestible, 

 and very pleasant and grateful to the palate." 



Rodman's mushroom, Agaricus rorhnani, may easily be mis- 

 taken for the Common mushroom unless attention is given to its 

 distinctive features. Its cap is more firm, and somewhat oclira- 



eeous or rusty yellow on the 

 disk or centre; the very 

 young gills are whitish, but 

 they soon assume the ordi- 

 nary pinkish hue, and they 

 are narrower in proportion to 

 thickness of the flesh of the 

 cap. The stem is very short 

 and solid, and the collar, 

 when well developed, exhib- 

 its a striking character. It 

 appears as if there were two 

 collars, or a double collar, 

 with a space or groove be- 

 tween them. This character 

 is not always clearly shown, but in its absence the other distinc- 

 tive features will serve to distinguish the species. 



It STOWS in arassv grounds, and even in crevices of unused 

 pavements or paved gutters in cities. It appears from May to 

 July. I have not found it in autumn, when the Common mush- 

 room is to be found, nor have I ever been able to get it in suf- 

 ficient quantity to prove its edible qualities; but Mr. G. Rod- 



Kodiiian's Miislirooni. 



28 



