136 MUSHROOM CULTURE. 



Hygrophorus virgineus (Viscid White Mushroom). 



" Pileus fleshy, convexo-plane, obtuse, moist, at length 

 areolato-rimose ; stem stuffed, firm, short, attenuated 

 at the base; gills decurrent, distant, rather thick." 

 Grev. 1. 166. " On downs and short pastures. Extremely 

 common. Mostly pure ivory-white." Berkeley. 



This species, exquisite in form and flavour, is one of 

 the prettiest ornaments of our lawns, downs, and short 

 pastures at the fall of the year. In these situations it 

 may be found in every part of the kingdom. It is essen- 

 tially waxy, and feels and looKs precisely as if made of 

 the purest virgin wax. The stem is firm, stuffed, and 

 attenuated, and the gills singularly distant from each 

 other; it changes colour a little when getting old, at 

 which time it is unfit for culinary purposes. 



A batch of fresh specimens, broiled or stewed with 

 iaste and care, will prove agreeable, succulent, and flavorous 

 eating, and may sometimes be obtained when other 

 species are not forthcoming. 



" Several allied species enjoy the reputation of being 

 esculent, notably H. niveus ; and my friend Mr. F. C. 

 Penrose has eaten, and speaks favourably of H. 

 psitt acinus a highly ornamental yellow species, with 

 a green stem, sometimes common enough in rich 

 pastures (and said to be very suspicious)." W. G. 

 Smith. 



