CHAPTER V. 



PURPLE-BROWN SPORED AGARICS. 



Agaricus. Linn. (Psalliota. Fr.) 



The pileus is fleshy, but the flesh of the stem is of different texture from that 

 of the pileus, veil universal, concrete with the cuticle of the pileus, and fixed 

 to the stem, forming - a ring- which soon disappears in some species ; the stem 

 is readily separated from the cap and the gills are free from the stem or slightly 

 adnexed, white at first, then pink, afterwards purple-brown. 



All the species grow in rich ground, and it includes many of our valuable 

 food mushrooms. 



Figure 248. Agaricus campestris. Two-thirds natural size. 



Agaricus campestris. Linn. 

 The Meadow Mushroom. Edibee. 



Campestris, from campus, a field: This is perhaps the widest known of all 

 mushrooms, familiarly known as the "Pink-gilled mushroom." It is the species 

 found in the markets. It is the only species which is sure to respond to the 

 methods of cultivation. 



It is the same species which is bought in cans at the store. 



In very young plants the pileus is somewhat globular, as will be seen in the 

 small plants in the front row in Figure 248. The edge is connected with the 

 stem by the veil ; then round convex, then expanding, becoming almost flat ; 

 surface dry, downy, even, quite scaly, varying in color from creamy-white to a 



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