GUIDE TO THE MODELS OF FUNGI. 



II 



reddens on being cut or broken is not necessaril}' edible. Some 

 are probably poisonous, such as Ladarius fiiliginosiis, or worthless, 

 if not dangerous, as Russula nigricans. It grows in great abundance 

 in woods and parks, often embedded among dead leaves, and is 

 specially common near beeches and firs. It is frequently attacked 

 by larvae. It is well known as an esculent in the French markets, 

 where it bears the name of golmelle. 



Sub-genus 2. Lepiota. — Distinguished by a usually floccose (not 

 warty) pileus ; gills generally free or remote from the stem ; stalk 

 hollow as a rule, and furnished with an 

 annulus or ring. Most of the species are 

 terrestrial, but one often grows on saw- 

 dust, another on tan, and another about 

 stumps. They are found in rich grassy 

 fields more commonly than in woods. 

 Exotic forms frequently occur in green- 

 houses. Several species instantly change 

 to blood-red, brown, or buff on being cut 

 or broken; some have a bitter taste and 

 a pungent and disgusting odour; others, 

 however, are edible, and among the best 

 of esculent fungi. There are thirty British 



species of Lepiota, four of which are repre- 

 sented hv mndpis Fig. 6.-Type form of Lepiota. 

 benieu oy moaeis. A^aricus procerus Scop. 



(One-fifth natural size.) 



5. Agaricus procerus Scop. The Parasol Mushroom.— Pileus 

 when fully grown six or eight inches across, with a distinct central 

 boss or umbo, the cuticle being broken up into broad, shaggy scales ; 

 gills free, or remote and white; stalk long and hollow, bulbous, finely 

 variegated with minute scales, and furnished with a large, movable 

 ring. The flesh on being cut changes to a faint brown hue, more 

 marked in the stem than the pileus. 



A. procerus grows in pastures, lowlands, and orchards, by grassy 

 roadsides, and on heaths and commons among gorse and bracken ; 

 it sometimes grows in woods, and always prefers the neighbourhood 

 of trees and bushes. 



It is one of the most esteemed of edible fungi, many persons 

 holding it, on account of its more delicate flavour, in higher estima- 

 tion than the common mushroom ; it is sold in the markets of France 

 and Italy, and is said to have been sold in past times in Covent 

 Garden market. A good ketchup can be made from A. procerus. 



6. Agaricus meleagris Sow. — Pileus fawn-coloured, with minute 

 velvety warts ; gills white, rarely lemon-coloured ; stem minutely 

 scaly, with an evanescent ring. 



This is a rare species, probably exotic in origin. It grows on 

 spent tan in hothouses, and changes colour to a beautiful red on 

 being cut or broken. 



5 



Fig. 6. 



