30 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



score of synon^Tiis, growing almost everj'where, from the chilling 

 atmosphere of Lapland, to the hot climate of the tropics ; from the 

 Japan islands on the east, to California on the west. Thongh it is 

 by no means confined to old pastures, with us it is to be found 

 there in the greatest abundance, and especially after a warm shower 

 in the evening. The rapidity of its growth is proverbial. If we 

 go out in the morning we may see them in clusters exhibiting all 

 gradations, from the young " buttons," resembhng eggs in size and 

 color, to those of middle and old age, consisting of a stalk some- 

 what larger than a man's middle finger, bearing at the top a broad, 

 umbrella-like expansion, which is called the pileus. When 3'oung, 

 the outer edge of the pileus is united with the stalk, but as it 

 approaches maturity it breaks awaj^, leaving the ring to mark its 

 former place of attachment. If a full grown mushroom is taken, 

 and the under surface examined, it will be found to consist of a 

 multitude of radiating gills of a beautiful pinkish color. It is on 

 the surface of these gills that the reproductive bodies are borne — 

 bodies which, though different in structure, perform for this plant 

 the same office the acorn does for the oak ; but instead of being 

 called seeds i\iQj have, in this and all other species of fungi, 

 received the name of spores. At the base of the stalk, hidden 

 from sight, is to be found a mass of fine threads which make up 

 the true vegetative portion of the fungus, and is called the mycelium — 

 a term applied to this part of all species of fungi. In France, 

 where the satisfaction of the palate is a matter of no secondary 

 consideration, the mushroom has received the greatest care, and 

 been quite extensively grown. In this peculiar market gardening, 

 caves are often put to valuable use ; and old deserted mines have 

 been appropriated for the winter culture of the champignon. The 

 growth and consumption of the mushroom in the United States is 

 rapidly increasing. In Italy this species of fungus is always rejected 

 in the markets as being poisonous, while its place is filled with 

 another upon which the French look with distrust. 



The fact that some species of toadstools are poisonous, is as 

 evident as that others possess real worth as articles of diet, bearing, 

 as it does, the testimony of many who have ignorantly eaten of the 

 former, supposing them to be edible. Among the illustrious who 

 have perished in this manner, we find the names of the Emperor 

 Jovian, Pope Clement VII, and the Emperor Cliarlcs VI. The 

 dread of being poisoned, mixed witli no small amount of super- 



