CRYPTOGAMIA FUNGI. 175 



26. A. Georgii, stalk thick, cylindrical, white, with a persistent 

 collar ; pileus convex or almost plane, fleshy, white, smooth, dry ; 

 gills white, changing to pink and dark brown Sow. Fung. t. 304. 

 GREV. Fl. Edin. 390. Ag. edulis, GRE^. Wern. Mem. iv. 356. 



Hob. On the links near the sea, abundant. Autumn. 



Nearly allied to the preceding, yet certainly distinct, and 

 readily distinguished by those familiar with the true mush- 

 room. " This," says SOWERBY, u always partakes of the 

 same form as the mushroom, but is generally of a firmer 

 texture, whiter, and smoother, sometimes stained with 

 blotches of yellow, more particularly if touched or bruised." 

 The pileus is at first egg-shaped, and the gills are cream- 

 coloured, but the one soon becomes almost plane, and the 

 other of a dark reddish-brown. It attains a large size, and 

 preserves a circular entire form. The people in Essex 

 call it white caps, and the name is peculiarly apt and ex- 

 pressive of its common appearance. It will make as good, 

 or nearly as good, ketchup as the Ag. campestris ; and for 

 other purposes, according to Dr GREVILLE, is as good, 

 but if meant to be eaten, must be gathered before the gills 

 have become dark. Indeed, after that time, I have always 

 found it eaten up with worms ; for although to the eye it 

 may appear sound and vigorous, yet under its untouched 

 skin revel a swarm of maggots, in all the luxury of plenty, 

 and secure from every foe. 



27. A. oreades, dry, coriaceous, yellowish or dirty white ; stalk 

 cylindrical, tough, smooth ; pileus plane, umbonate ; gills distant, 

 ventricose, whitish WITH. iv. 256. HOOK. Scot ii. 21, GREV. 

 Wern. Mem. iv. 353; Fl. Edin. 3/9; Crypt. FL t. 323. Ag. coria* 

 ceus, LIGHT r. Scot. 1020. 



Hob. Old short pastures, particularly on our sea-banks and 

 links, common. Summer. 



A well marked species, much esteemed on the continent, 

 being dried, and afterwards used in the form of powder, to 

 add a flavour to many sauces. It is not used in this 

 neighbourhood. 



The fairy rings so common on our grassy links and old pas- 

 tures, and where 



" of oil, the merry elves wers seen, 



Pacing with printless feet the dewy grass," 



were, when this land was " ful filled of faerie," believed to 

 be tha result of their reels ; but now, when no man can 



