USES. 83 



known esculent, whether in its uncultivated or in a cultivated 

 state. In Britain many thousands of people, notably the lower 

 classes, will not recognize any other as fit for food, whilst in 

 Italy the same classes have a strong prejudice against this very 

 species.* In Vienna, we found by personal experience that, 

 although many others are eaten, it is this which has the rnosfc 

 universal preference, yet it appears but sparingly in the markets 

 as compared with others. In Hungary it does not enjoy by 

 any means so good a reputation. In France and in Gen^ny 

 it is a common article of consumption. The different varieties 

 found, as the results of cultivation, present some variation in 

 colour, scaliness of pileus, and other minor features, whilst 

 remaining true to the constituent characters of the species. 

 Although it is not our intention to enumerate here the botanical 

 distinctions of the species to which we may call attention, yet, 

 as mistakes (sometimes fatal) are often being recorded, in which 

 other fungi are confounded with this, we may be permitted a 

 hint or two which should be remembered. The spores are 

 purple, the gills are at first delicate pink, afterwards purple ; 

 there is a permanent ring or collar round the stem, and it must 

 not be sought in woods. Many accidents might have been 

 spared had these facts been remembered. 



The meadow mushroom (Agaricu* arvensis) is common in 

 meadows and lowland pastures, and is usually of a larger size 

 than the preceding, with which it agrees in many particulars, 

 and is sent in enormous quantities to Covent Garden, where it 

 frequently predominates over Agaricus campestris. Some persons 

 prefer this, which has a stronger flavour, to the ordinary mush- 

 room, and it is the species most commonly sold in the autumn 

 in the streets of London and provincial towns. According to 

 Persoon, it is preferred in France ; and, in Hungary, it is con- 

 sidered as a special gift from St. George. It has acquired in 

 England the name of horse mushroom, from the enormous size 



* Badham, Dr. C. D., "A Treatise on the Esculent Funguses of England," 

 1st edition (1847), p. 81, pi. 4 ; 2nd edition, edited by F. Currey, M.A. 

 (1863), p. 94, pi. 4; Cooke, M. C., "A Plain and Easy Account of British 

 Fungi," 1st edition O862), p. 44 



