76 



juicy or sub-gelatinous, obtuse, unequal ; often parasitic on other 

 fungi ; veil universal. 



1. N. Asterophora, Fr. Bull., t. 516, figs. 1, 166. On dead 

 Agarics. Leigh Woods. 



2. N. Parasitica, Fr. B., pi. 19, fig. 2. Sow. 343. On dead 

 Russulse. Leigh Woods. 



Genus 12. MARASMius.t 

 Hymenophore confluent with the stem, descending into the floccose 



trama ; hymenium dry, covering the interstices as weU as the 



gills ; gills thick, tough, and subcoriaceous, edge acute. 

 (A.) Pileus, tough hut fleshy; margin at first involute; mycelium 



floccose. 



1. M. Peronatus, Fr. B., pi. 14, fig. 4. Sow., t. 37. Lucknam 

 Grove. Plantations. 



2e. M. Oreades, Fr. Champignon. Scotch bonnets. Sow., t. 

 247. B., pi. 14, fig. 5. Dr. Badham says of this species, " Inde- 

 pendent of the excellent flavour of this little mushroom, two 

 circumstances give it an additional value in a domestic point of 

 view, viz., the facility with which it is dried, and its extensive 

 dissemination. When dried (two or three days' exposure to the 

 air is sufficient to effect this), the Agaricus Oreades may be kept 

 for years without losing any of its aroma or goodness, which, on 

 the contrary, become improved by the process. It is used in the 

 dry state to flavour rich soups and gravies, and in the preparation 

 of a la mode beef, but, as it soon loses its favour by over-cooking, 

 it should be thrown in only a few minutes before serving. It also 

 makes an excellent dish when fresh, stewed in cream and seasoned 

 with pepper and salt ; for this purpose the buttons, or young 

 unexpanded specimens should be chosen, as far more delicate. 

 There are two fungi (Dr. Badham adds) of a deleterious nature 

 which are sometimes mistaken for this plant, viz., A. Dryophilus 

 and A. Semiglobatus, but the first may easily be distinguished by 

 its soft, fragile flesh, and the second by its dark spores." I find 

 the odour of prussic acid, which M. Oreades possesses, a very good 

 mark of distinction, to which may be added its tough, leathery 

 consistence. Marasmius Urens, Fr. (a rare species), is also tough 



* Nyctalis, from nuktalos, dull. t Marasmius, from marasmos, decay. 



