156 



MUSHROOMS, EDIBLE AND OTHERWISE 



right for fungus growth) during the entire season. It is almost universally a 

 favorite among mushroom eaters, but it must be carefully and thoroughly cooked. 

 It grows very large and frequently in great masses. I have often found speci- 

 mens whose caps were eight to ten inches broad. It is found from May to 

 December. 



Plcurotus soli gn us. Fr. 

 The Willow Pleurotus. Edible. 



Salignus from salix, a willow. Pi leu s is compact, nearly halved, horizontal, 

 at first cushion-shaped, even, then with the disk depressed, substrigose, white or 



Figure 119. Pleurotus ulmarius. One-third natural size. 



fuliginous. The stem eccentric or lateral, sometimes obsolete, short, white- 

 tomentose. The gills are decurrcnt, somewhat branched, eroded, distinct at the 

 base, nearly of the same color. Spores .00036 by .00015 inch. Fri< 



I found this species near Bowling Green on willow stumps. About every 

 ten days the stumps offered me a very excellent dish, better than any meat market 

 could afford. September to November. 



