26 A PLAIN AND EASY ACCOUNT 



cus prunulus will serve as an example. In the third 

 series, denominated Dermini, the spores are ferruginous, 

 and sometimes tawny or brownish ; of this series Agari- 

 cus mutabilis will afford a type. In the fourth series, 

 called Pratellce, in which the spores are brownish-purple 

 or brown, the common mushroom, Agaricus campestris, 

 is included. And of the fifth series, styled Coprinarius, 

 in which the spores are black, we have an example in 

 Agaricus campanulatus. 



Each one of these series contains a number of sub- 

 genera, which were formerly considered to have the 

 value of genera, but which are now merely retained to 

 serve as guides to the synonyms of old authors, or to 

 facilitate the grouping and arrangement of species. In 

 this work they will all be considered as species of the 

 one genus Agaricus. 



Under the vague and general name of mushrooms 

 several species of fungi are consumed as articles of 

 food. It may be true that in some localities only 

 one or two species are dignified with the appellation 

 of mushroom, whilst all the rest which resemble it in 

 form are condemned as toadstools ; yet we believe 

 that there is in prospect an age when more of those 

 which are really worthy will be admitted to the tables 

 of rich and poor, without that accompaniment of 

 suspicion and dread which attaches to the dish of 

 mushrooms. We accord perfect justice to Agaricus 

 campestris, the mushroom of cultivation, whilst more 

 delicious kinds, and equally harmless, are allowed to 

 flourish and decay year by year without molestation. 



