A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 65 



valuable food-fungi. They are very large and substantial, and occur in quantity 

 in many localities. They are much eaten on the Continent, and are highly 

 recommended. Bat they are somewhat coarse, and, though of excellent flavour, 

 are not of dainty and delicate substance. I have not had sufficient experience 

 of them myself, or I might have placed them in chapter vii. — W. D. H, 



(20.) AGARICUS NEBULARIS; Clitocylse nebtQaris; The 



Cheese-cap. 



Habitat. Among dead leaves in woods. In irregular rows. 



Season. August to November. Uncommon. 



Pileus. Three to five inches across, cinder-grey, disc darkest ; 

 depresso-convex at first, then expanding, plane, centre umbonate 

 ■within depression. Margin at first incurved and farinose. 



Stem. Two to five inches high, greyish white, nearly an inch 

 thick, firm, naked, striate. Base enlarged, curved, held to 

 surrounding objects by cottony down. 



Section. Flesh very thick, compact, white, unchanging-. Stem 

 solid, soft within. Gills white or creamy, narrow, crowded, 

 unequal, curved, decurrent. Odour precisely like new cheese. 

 Taste unique. Spores white. 



Obs. In France, Paulet and Cordier have regarded this species with suspi- 

 cion. Curiously enough, the more timid fungus-eating authorities in England 

 cannot praise it sufficiently. I have had but slight personal experience of it, 

 but that little is in its favour. The Cheese-cap should be gathered young, and 

 should not be overcooked. It is certainly extremely nice. — IF. D. H. 



(21.) AGARICUS ODORUS ; Clitocybe odora ; The Sweet-cap. 



Habitat. Among dead leaves in woods. In little groups. 



Season. August to November. Uncommon. 



Pileus. Two to three inches across, pale bluish green, perhaps 

 splashed with white, smooth, not viscid ; at first convex, then plane, 

 inclining to repand, sub-umbonate. Margin thin, at first involute. 



Stevi. Two inches high, colour of pileus, slender, firm, flexuose, 

 attenuate downwards, tomentose, naked, rooting. 



Section. Flesh pallid, thin, tough. Stem stuffed. Gills pallid, 

 pinkish, not crowded, broad, wavy, ruguloso-venate between, adnate, 

 or sub-decuri-ent. Pleasantly fragrant. Taste mild. Spores white 



Ohs. Similar to the Anisette, in a gastronomic sense. Both help to make 

 an omelette very tasty, and are useful to flavour meat dishes with. — W. D. H. 



