64 A PLAIN AND EASY ACCOUNT 



pepper and salt, adding a few bread-crumbs, or pouring 

 them when done over a slice of toasted bread. 



The chantarelle may be preserved for winter use, 

 either by drying in a current of air, or pickling in 

 salt and water, and before being used, soaked a short 

 time in lukewarm water. 



The genus Nyctalis, which is intermediate between 

 the last and the next, contains species which are small 

 in size and parasitic in habit, and of which we have but 

 two representatives. 



In Marasmius, the hymenophorum, or part which 

 bears the gills, though continuous with the stem, is dif- 

 ferent in texture. The spore-bearing surface is dry, 

 and the folds are thick and tough, but sharp or acute at 

 the edge. The majority of species are also rather small 

 in size, but are not parasitic on other fungi, as in the 

 last genus. 



It is a singular fact that whilst in this country 

 "mushroom" is a kind of general name for all the 

 edible species, in France its synonym "mousseron" 

 is applied to but one species, whilst " champignon," 

 which is used in the latter country as a general term for 

 all fungi, is in England restricted to one species, which 

 is a member of the present genus. 



The little Fairy-ring Champignon (Marasmius 

 oreades) is one of the privileged few that enjoy a 

 good reputation ; but even in this instance the reputation 

 is but local. (PL 14, upper figure.) In the dried 

 state they are available for culinary purposes, whilst 

 thousands of them annually rot on the pastures where 



