34 A PLAIN AND EASY ACCOUNT 



towards the stem. This species scarcely seems to be 

 known as esculent on the Continent, though it consti- 

 tutes one of the very few having a marketable value in 

 England, where it is employed chiefly for making 

 ketchup. It is quite essential that this species should 

 be collected in dry weather, and when it is not moist 

 with the early dew, as it absorbs moisture very readily, 

 and if regard be not had to these conditions in gathering, 

 it will probably afterwards suffer condemnation. 



Opinions vary as much as tastes differ, as to the quality 

 of this fungus ; but though agreeable to some when 

 well broiled and seasoned with sweet herbs, it has a 

 peculiar flavour which would not commend it to others. 

 It certainly does not deserve to stand in the first class of 

 our indigenous species, and the ketchup it affords is 

 poor. It has the recommendation of being readily dis- 

 tinguished by its violet-tinted stem, and smooth, sleek 

 pileus, and, did it not appear in October, when other 

 and better species are plentiful, might be accepted as a 

 substitute. 



The sub-genus Clytocybe is also well represented in 

 the British Flora. The name (Jclitos a declivity, and 

 Jcube, a head) originated in the funnel-shaped pileus of 

 some of the species. This group differs from Tricholoma 

 in the gills not having a sinus behind, they being 

 attached abruptly, or tapering gradually and running 

 down the stem. There are several esculent species to 

 be found in this group, some of which we shall proceed 

 to notice. 



One fungus especially deserving attention may often 



