265 



Agaricui (ArmUlaria) melleui, Flor. Dan. 



Although this is an exceedingly variable species, I find no records of its attnia- 

 ing any extreme size, beyond the intimation by the Rev. M. J. Berkeley that it 

 attains a diameter of 7 inches with a stem 8 inches long. Fries stated 6 inches as 

 the extreme diameter. In 1861 I found specimens at the foot of an elm 6i inches 

 in diameter at Hampstead, and at Watford, two years ago, I collected specimens 

 exceeding this by an inch, but the stem, although nearly an inch thick, was not 

 so long as the diameter of the pileus. The species is so common, and mycologists 

 usually treat it with such contempt, that they do not take the trouble to measure 

 specimens, hardly to look at them, save to warrant the exclamation " Bah ! its 

 only melleus ! " 

 Agaricus ( Armillaria) mucidus, Fr. 



I have preserved no record of dimensions attained by this species from my 

 own knowledge; Berkeley gives 1^ inches as the usual diameter of the pileus, 

 with a stem of 3 inches, but this is certainly far below the maximum. Dr. Bull has 

 figured the section of a specimen rjuite 7 inches in diameter, with a stem nearly as 

 long. It is by no means unusual for it to exceed about 4 inches, which appears to 

 be something like the maximum of ordinary specimens. One extenuating circum- 

 stance may be urged in favour of this species, which is analogous amongst Agarics 

 to the Bream amongst fishes, for its sliminess, that it is a most delicate species 

 when prepared for the table, and here the analogy with the " Bream " ceases. 

 Agaricus (Tricholoma) nudus. Bull. 



According to Berkeley this species should have a pileus of about 2 inches in 

 diameter, with a stem 2 inches high and from 3 to 4 inches thick, whilst Fries 

 allows a diameter of 3 inches for the pileus, and 3 inches for the length of the stem, 

 with a diameter of half an inch. During the month of November, 1881, large 

 masses of this species were found in two or three localities in the Pleasure Grounds, 

 and Queen's Cottage Grounds, of Kew Gardens. Many of the specimens, at least 

 20 or 30, were 5 inches in height, with a thickness of stem at the base of from IJ 

 to 2 inches, the expanded pileus varied from 5 to 6 inches in diameter. The stems 

 were of a beautiful violet colour, but the pileus of a bright rufous. Even these 

 large specimens were firm and sound, and when cooked were quite equal to, 

 perhaps rather better than the smaller forms. It is one of the medium-sized 

 specimens which is figured on plate 133 of the Illustrations. 

 Agaricus ( Clitocyhe) nebidaris, Batsch. 



I should hesitate to limit the capabilities of this species, it certainly is "one 

 of great capabilities," although the pileus is limited by Fries to a diameter of 3 to 

 5 inches, with a stem of 3 in length, and an inch in diameter. In October, 1861, 

 I met with a colony large enough to fill a full-sized wheelbarrow, growing upon 

 dead leaves at Duflferin Lodge, Highgate. Amongst these were at least 20 speci- 

 mens not less than 7 inches in diameter of pileus with stems 4 inches long, and If 

 inch in thickness. Since then I have seen them nearly as large in the Pleasure 

 Grounds at Kew. Six inches is not by any means an uncommon diameter for 

 sound, and uninhabited specimens. I have found them growing in precisely the 

 same spot for several years in succession, and it is in such established localities 



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