166 CRYPTOGAM1A FUNGI. 



A large species, which in decaying gradually turns quite 

 black, as if burnt to charcoal, and in this state may be ob- 

 served in our woods tossing about for some time. " The 

 gills often branch, and run one into another, but are al- 

 ways clumsy. This fungus has a pleasant nut like taste; 

 when cut it changes reddish." SOWERBY. 



8. A. integer, stalk thick, cylindrical, smooth ; pileus convex, 

 becoming cupped, smooth, the margin even and entire; gills 

 white, even, numerous and close, fleshy LIGHT F. Scot. 1009. 

 BOLT. Fung. t. 1. WITH. iv. 227. Sow. Fung. t. 201. HOOK. 

 Scot. ii. 20. Ag. emeticus, GREV. Fl. Edin. 372. 



Hob. Woods, and sometimes at hedge sides. Autumn. 



The pileus is general^ of a crimson colour, often spotted, 

 sometimes pure white, but varies much in this respect ; it 

 is always smooth, and does not split even when in old age 

 it becomes cupped. It measures 3 or 4 inches across, and 

 is supported on a stalk 2 inches high, white or purplish, as 

 thick as a man's finger, rather narrowed at the base. It is 

 a compact fleshy agaric, and would last a considerable time, 

 did not the larvae of some flies almost uniformly hasten its 

 decay. Slugs are likewise very fond of it ; and although 

 in this country suspected to be deleterious, it is said to be 

 frequently eaten by the Germans and Kussians. 



9. A. graveolens, gills white, very numerous, irregular, 4 in a 

 set ; pileus white, smooth, plane ; stem white, tapering WITH. 

 iv. 213. PURT. Mid. Fl. iii. 206. 



Hob. At the roots of hedges amongst grass, and in old pas- 

 tures. May. 



Stem 2-3 inches long, from \ to 1 inch in diameter, subcy- 

 lindrical, more or less crooked, white, solid, fibrous. Pi- 

 leus plane, more or less undulated, 3 or 4 inches across, 

 white, tinged with brown, smooth, the margin generally 

 inflexed. Flesh snow-white, juiceless. Gills fixed, rather 

 narrow, numerous and close, watery-white, 4 in a set, often 

 somewhat decurrent. Continues a long time, being firm 

 and rather dry. It appears in May, growing in small 

 clusters, every individual plant, however, being separate ; 

 and sometimes it forms fairy rings, of which we have seen 

 a fine example on the bank at Hudshead. It has a strong 

 fungous smell, and is besides well distinguished by its size, 

 its uniform white colour, and by the time of its appearance. 



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