iiiaii, who Hrst ('(jllectcd it, and t'tiniished the first specimens seen 

 liv mo, testftl it. mid on Ids cxperiincnt it is classed as edible. I 

 would not lu'sitaif (<> cat it if 1 cnidd <;ct fresh specimens. 



I "ho I'ioKl niushruoiu, also ealiod the llorso mnshroom and 

 ^Miadow niiishnxiui, Ayaricus urveiisis, has by sonio i)oon consid- 

 ered a mere variety of the Common mushroom, liut it difi'ers in 

 some respects, and is generally kept as a distinct species in the de- 

 scriptive niaiinals. It i^i ncrally exceeds the Common mushroom 

 in size, and when old or in drying', the cap, which is usually 

 Avhito, is ai)t t<> assume yellowish hues which do not jxn'tain to 

 the otiier species. The gills, when tirst exposed, arc often whit- 

 ish, the stem is hollow, and frequently somewhat tlnckened at 

 the base, and the collar is thicker and appears as if composed of 

 two parts closely applied to each other and making a double 

 meml)rano, the lower of which is radiatoly or stollatcly split and 

 tinned with vol low. The llavor is bv some considered inferior to 

 that of the Common mushroom, but on this point tastes seem to 

 differ. Persoon considered it superior to the Common mush- 

 room both in ihivov and digestibility, and ^'ittadini says it is very 

 delicate and easy of digestion, but has a stronger odor than the 

 Common mushroom. "Very sapid and very nutritious;" "flavor 

 anise-like and very agreeable;" "edible and of exquisite flavor;" 

 "delicious when young, but tough when old," are some of the 

 opinions concerning it as expressed by various writers. 

 It grows in cidtivated fields, 



grassy pastures, and waste 



phiees. Occasionally it is 



found under trees, and even 



within the borders of woods. 



It has been asserted that its 



spores must pass through 



tbe alimentary canal of some 



animal, or else they will not 



germinate. However much 



or little of truth there may be 



in such a statement, it is com- 

 mon enough to find this 



mushroom growing in jdaces 



where no trace of the dung of 



animals can be seen. It may 



be found here from July to 



Septend)er. 



A beautiful wliite niu^lirooni 



Kifltl Mushroom. 



closelv resend)ling the Field 



29 



