90 



FUNGI. 



is declared to be excellent for tlae purpose, and a delicious, bat 

 pale, extract is to be obtained from Marasmius oreades. Other 

 species, as Coprinus comatus, and Coprinus atrainentarius, are 

 also available, together with Fistulina hepatica, and Morchella 

 esculent a. In some districts, when mushrooms are scarce, it is 

 stated that almost any species that will yield a dark juice is 

 without scruple mixed with the common mushroom, and it 

 should seem without any bad consequence except the deteriora- 

 tion of the ketchup.* There is an extensive manufacture of 

 ketchup conducted at Lubbenham, near Market Harborough, 

 but the great difficulty appears to be the prevention of decom- 

 position. Messrs. Perkins receive tons of mushrooms from 

 every part of the kingdom, and they find, even in the same 

 species, an immense difference in the quality and quantity of 

 the produce. The price of mushrooms varies greatly with the 

 season, ranging between one penny and sixpence per pound. 

 Messrs. Perkins are very careful in their selection, but little 

 discrimination is used by country manufacturers on a small 

 scale, who use such doubtful species as Agaricus lacrymabundus, 

 with Agaricus spadiceus, and a host of allied species, which they 

 characterize as nonpareils and champignons. In the eastern 

 counties Agaricus arvensis has the preference for ketchup. 



The generic distinctions between the genuine Agarics and 

 some of the allied genera can hardly be appreciated by the non- 

 botanical reader, but we have nevertheless preferred grouping 

 the edible species together in a somewhat botanical order ; and, 

 pursuing this plan, the next species will be those of Coprinus, 

 in which the gills are deliquescent after the plant has arrived 

 at maturity. The maned mushroom (Coprinus comatus, Fr.)t 

 is the best of edible species in this group. It is very common 

 here by roadsides and other places, and whilst still young and 

 cylindrical, and the gills still whitish or with a roseate tint, it 

 is highly to be commended. Similar, but perhaps somewhat 

 inferior, is Coprinus atramcntarius, Fr.,J equally common about 



* Berkeley, " Outlines of British Fungology," p. 64. 

 t Cooke, "Easy Guide to British Fungi," pi. 11. 



* Ibid., pi. 12. 



