198 



The spray of Veronica c?iam(edn/s is indicative of the season of the agaric's 

 growth. 



The St. George's mushi-oom cannot well be mistaken for any other. The 

 fact of its appearance at this cai-ly season, and growing so freely in rings, when 

 so very few other funguses are to be found, is almost enough to distinguish it. 

 It has, however, very distinctive characters in itself in the thickness of its pileus, 

 the narrowness of its gills, whicli are vei-y closely crowded together, and the 

 solid bulging stem. 



The St. George's mushroom is not an uncommon agaric in this county and 

 where it does appear, it is usually plentiful — a single ring affording generally a 

 good basket fuU. It should be gathered when young, or it will be found grub 

 eaten, for no fungus is more speedily and more voraciously attacked by insects 

 than this one. 



OPINIONS ON THE MERITS OF AGARICUS GAMBOSUS AS AN 

 EDIBLE FUNGUS. 



" This rare and most delicious Agaric, the mou^eron of BuUiard, and the 

 Agaricus prunulus of other authors abounds on the hills above the valley of 

 Stafora, near Bobbio, where it is called Spinaroli, and is in great request ; the 

 country pepole eat it fresh in a variety of ways, or they dry and sell it from 

 twelve to sixteen francs a pound" (Letter from Professor Balbi to Persoon). 



"Cesmousseronsont unechaire blanche, epaisse, ferme, d'un gout, et d'un 

 perfume delicieus. On les conserves, desseches, et il s'en consomme 3, Paris une 

 assex grande quantite sons le nom mousserons de Province. On les appelle 

 aussi mousserons blancs, chamiiifjnons onuscats" (M. Koques). 



"The most savoury Fungus with which I am acquainted .... and 

 which is justly considered over almost the whole continent of Europe, as the 

 ne plus ultra of culinary friandise" (Dr. Badham). 



"The Prunulus (Gambosus) is much prized in the Roman market, where 

 it easily fetches, when fresh, thirty baiocchi, i.e., fifteen francs per pound ; a 

 large sum for any luxury in Rome. It is sent in little baskets as presents to 

 patrons, fees to medical men, and bribes to Roman lawyers" (Dr. Badham). 



The Agaricus Gambosus '" is one that a person cannot very well make any 

 mistake about. It sometimes attains a large size, is excellent in flavour, and 

 particularly wholesome." (Rev. M. J. Berkeley). 



" Although this cannot be considered one of the most delicate flavoured 

 of funguses it is nevertheless welcome at such an early period of the year when 

 the more desirable kinds are not to be obtained " (M. 0. Cooke). 



