142 



MUSHROOM CULTURE. 



becomes soft and sticky. The flesh is soft, colourless, 

 and unchangeable. Gills crowded, decurrent, at first 

 nearly white, then pinkish grey, taking at length a light 

 brown tint. Spores pale brown. Stem smooth, solid, 

 short, decreasing in size ; central when young, but 



Fig. 41. (1) Agaricus orcella and (2) Agaricus prunulus (Plum Mush- 

 room). Woody places, in autumn j colour, snow-white, with pale 

 rose gills j diameter, 2 to 4 inches. 



becoming eccentric from the pileus growing irregularly. 

 Odour pleasant, usually compared to that of fresh meal, 

 but Dr. Badham and others think it resembles more 

 closely the smell of cucumber or syringa leaf. 



