86 FUNGI. 



man says that it 'is one of the earliest and best of English mush- 

 rooms, and others have endorsed his opinions, and Dr. Badham 

 in writing of it observes, that small baskets of them, when they 

 first appear in the spring in Italy, are sent as " presents to 

 lawyers and fees to medical men." 



The closely allied species, Agaricus allellus* D.C., has also 

 the reputation of being edible, but it is so rare in England that 

 this quality cannot be put to the test. The curious short-stemmed 

 Agaricus brevipes, Bull,"!" has a similar reputation. 



Two singularly fragrant species are also included amongst the 

 esculent. These are Agaricus fragrans. Sow., and Agaricus 

 odoruSj Bull. Both have a sweet anise-like odour, which is per- 

 sistent for a long time. The former is pale tawny-coloured, nearly 

 white, the latter of a dirty pale green. Both are white-spored, 

 and although somewhat local, sufficient specimens of Ag. odorus 

 may be collected in the autumn for domestic use. We have the 

 assurance of one who has often proved them that they constitute 

 an exquisite dish. 



A clear ivory-white fungus, Agaricus dealbatus^ of which a 

 crisped variety is occasionally found in great numbers, springing 

 up on old mushroom beds in dense clusters, is very good eating, 

 but rather deficient in the delicate aroma of some other species. 

 The typical form is not uncommon on the ground in fir planta- 

 tions. A more robust and larger species, Agaricus geotrupcs, 

 Bull, found on the borders of woods, often forming rings, both 

 in this country and in the United States, as well as on the conti- 

 nent of Europe, is recognized as esculent. 



We may add to these three or four other species, in which the 

 stem is lateral, and sometimes nearly obsolete. The largest and 

 most common is the oyster mushroom (Agaricus ostreatus, 

 Jacq.J), so universally eaten, that it is included in almost every 

 list and book on edible fungi ; it is the most common species in 



* Sowerby, " English Fungi," pi. 122 ; Smith, in " SeemaniTs Journ. Bot." 

 (1866), t. 46, f. 45. 



t Klotscb, "Flora Borussica," t. 374; Smith, in "Seem. Journ. Bot." 

 (1869), t. 95, f. 1-4. 



$ Krombholz, ' ' Abbildungen der Schwsv.nme," pi. 41, f. 1-7. 



