17 



everywhere all the year round on stumps of old wood, in 

 clusters or bunches. It bears a speedy, violent, and ex- 

 ceedingly virulent poison of a terribly irritant kind. 



None of the Entolomas are safe. Mr. Worthington 

 Smith records that he was nearly killed by eating a very 

 small portion of E. sinuatus ; he suffered fearfully and did not 

 recover for nearly a fortnight. Another species E. clypeatus, 

 the " Buckler," produces delirium and paralysis when 

 swallowed in very small quantities. Its essence seems 

 entirely narcotic, and in this it differs from the earlier 

 mentioned kinds. 



From these dreadful species it is a relief to turn to such 

 pleasant and wholesome species as Psalliota campcstris, the 

 common mushroom, and its variety arvensis. Lepiota procerus 

 or " parasol " mushroom, with its very scaly top, moveable ring 

 and deeply pitted gills is, I think, the most delicious of all 

 Fungi, mushrooms included. I believe that all the Lepiotce 

 are edible, though not equally nice. Coprinus coinatus, a 

 black-spored Agaric, is singularly rich, tender, and delicious; 

 last year I saw quantities growing in an old burial ground 

 in Tooley Street. Then there is the "plum" mushroom, 

 Clitopilus prunulus ; the " St. George's," Tricholoma gamhosus 

 a rare delicac3% and one of our very few Agarics which 

 appear in the Spring ; the " Clouded Fungus," Clitocybe 

 nebidarh ; and the little Marasmius oreades, the " True 

 Champignon," which is to be found on Blackheath, and 

 which grows in large quantities in the fields between 

 Kidbrook and Eltham, possessing an exquisitely rich and 

 delicate flavour which must be tasted to be understood. 

 •This species will keep a great length of time when dried, 

 and is admirable for giving flavour to stews or soups. But 

 beware of its brother Marasmius nrens, which sometimes 

 grows with it, for it is decidedly poisonous. Mr. Worthington 

 Smith gathered it by mistake, and ate some, very much to 

 hi"s discomfort. 



Passing from the gilled Agarics to the tube-bearing 

 Fungi, we have the Boleti, of which a score may be eaten, at 



B 



