^be ipiladms of tbc l^ear 159 



composition. Among the brilliant colors displayed 

 by fungi no green or blue can be found. 



The most popular and useful fungus is the table 

 mushroom. This rarely ever grows in the woods, in 

 shade, on wet lands, or on decaying stumps. It pre- 

 fers the open, breezy, well-sunned pastures, where 

 the grass is kept short by the grazing of sheep or 

 cattle. Early in the morning, or shortly before 

 sunset, the dainty white or cream-colored buttons, 

 borne on snow-white stalks, push up through the 

 soil, and gradually expand until the discs are flat or 

 but slightly convex. From two to six inches is the 

 diameter, seldom more than two or three. 



Varieties of the pasture mushroom are few, and 

 can readily be learned. The mushroom is composed 

 of stem and cap ; the stem is finger-shaped with 

 the roundish end in the earth. About half way up 

 is usually a ring of the covering skin, where, in the 

 button-shape, the veil of the mushroom was attached. 



This veil extends over the cap, and is left at the 

 edge in a little frill ; it can be easil}^ stripped off. 

 Under the veil the flesh is ivory wdiite, and is smooth 

 and firm. 



The under side of the cap is laid in plaits called 

 gills, from their resemblance to fish gills. They never 

 grow fast to, or down upon, the stem, usually stopping 

 short off, about one-tenth of an inch from its juncture 



