32 A PLAIN AND EASY ACCOUNT 



Let us hope that such names, which were originated and 

 have been perpetuated in ignorance, will soon become 

 obsolete. 



The St. George's Mushroom (A . gambosus) is an early 

 species, as it makes its appearance, growing in rings, 

 about May or June. It has a most powerful odour, and 

 sometimes attains a very large size. Although another 

 and very distinct species has shared the honour of 

 bearing the name of the patron saint of England, this 

 is believed to be the true St. George's mushroom. To 

 whichever of the two the genuine patronage belongs, it 

 is said to have been first ascribed to it by the Hun- 

 garians, on account of its being the special gift of that 

 saintly champion. Others, dissenting from so romantic 

 an origin, declare that the name resulted simply from 

 its making its appearance about the time of St. George's 

 day. 



If the latter be the true source of the name, the 

 present species establishes its claim to it by flourishing 

 in spring, whilst the pretender is an autumnal species. 

 The pileus in this mushroom is thick and fleshy, 

 smooth, and ultimately becomes cracked and fissured. 

 The stem is stout and solid, and the yellowish-white 

 gills are much crowded together. The odour of this 

 species is so strong, both in the matured state and in the 

 earliest stages of its growth, as to become oppressive 

 and overpowering. Workmen employed to root them 

 out are said to have been so overcome by the odour as 

 to be compelled to desist. Although this cannot be 

 considered one of the most delicate-flavoured of fungi, 



