54 A PLAIN AND EAST ACCOUNT 



neus of botanists, is only a small species deriving both 

 its French and its scientific name from its chestnut 

 colour. It is common in woods and gardens on the 

 naked ground, and has violet stem and gills, the latter 

 becoming ultimately of a rusty brown. It is certainly 

 a wholesome esculent species, but a great number would 

 be required to make a good dish. 



The Cinnamon Mushroom (C. cinnamomeus) is a very 

 common species, with a cinnamon-coloured pileus and a 

 yellowish flesh. It is a lover of woods, and in northern 

 latitudes is found inhabiting them everywhere. In its 

 fresh state it has the odour and flavour of the spice 

 after which it is named, so powerful and peculiar to 

 itself, that this alone is a good test of its identity. 

 The Germans are said to be very fond of this species, 

 which is generally stewed in butter and served with 

 sance for vegetables. 



The small genera Paxillus and Gomphidius are 

 intermediate between Cortinarius and Hygrophorus. 

 In this latter genus the main feature is found in the 

 waxy character of the hymenium or spore-bearing 

 surface. 



Herein are found three species, more or less available 

 for culinary purposes. The best of these (H. mrgineus) 

 is of a beautiful, pure ivory whiteness when in good 

 condition, becoming dingy or tawny when old. The 

 gills are distant and decurrent, or produced down the 

 stem. It is common on short pastures and downs, and 

 although small is well worth the trouble of collect- 

 ing. Without a continental reputation, although 



