106 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 



hrnised, crowded, bi'oad, narrow before, rotinded behind, free. 

 Odour aromatic. Taste good. Spores pallid. 



Ohx. In chapter vii. When fresh, not <at all decayed or rainsoaked, it is 

 a first-class viand. It has always been favourably regarded in England. — 

 W. D. H. 



Genus MARASMIUS. 



(113.) MARASMIUS ALLIACEUS ; The Little Onion-cap. 



Habitat. Among dead leaves in hilly woods. In groups or 

 scattered. 



Season. October and November. Rare. 



Fileus. One inch across, grey-white, perhaps reddish, smooth, 

 then striate ; campanulate, then expanded, plane, sub-umbonate. 



Stem. Two inches high, elongate, blackish, slender, rigid, 

 velvety or pruinose, naked. Base curved and rooting. 



Section. Flesh membranaceous. Stem hollow, horny. Gills 

 pallid, brownish, unequal, pointed before, rounded behind, distant, 

 free. Odour and flavour of onion. Spores white. 



Obs. Small and scarce. It can be used instead of onion, fresh or dried. — 

 W. D. U. 



(114.) MARASMIUS OREADES ; The Oread. (PI. I. fig. 4.) 



Habitat. On pastures, downs, commons, meadows. In ring's. 



Season. July to October. Very common. 



Fileus. Half to two inches across, fawn or buff ; conical, then 

 convex, plane, sub-umbonate, smooth ; inverted, sinuate, crisped, 

 and dark in wet ; wrinkled, shrivelled, and pale in dry weather. 



Stem. One to three inches high, tint of pileus, pale, equal, 

 twisted, tough, elastic, slender, silky, not villose, naked, root- 

 ing- 



Section. Flesh thin, white. Stem solid, fibrous. Gills tint of 

 pileus, pale, unequal, not numerous, distant, ventricose, broad, 

 free. Odour aromatic. Flavour decided, aromatic. Spores 

 white. 



Obs. In chapter vii. Always very highly esteemed by English fungus- 

 eaters, though not valued much abroad. There has been a disposition to call 

 it the Chamfignon, but that is the generic French title for all mushrooms, and 

 should not be used for one in particular. The Oread is very commendable. — 

 W. D. II. 



