GENERA AND SPECIES OF MUSHROOMS 



The genus Agaricus 



The genus Agaricus includes only such brown spored 



species as have their gills free from the stem with a ring or 



collar upon the stem. All of them grow upon the ground only. 



Species of Agaricus 

 Agaricus arvensis; horse mushroom. Plate 2, Species i. 



On ground in cultivated fields, grassy pastures and waste 

 places. It is occasionally found under trees and even within 

 the borders of thin woods; scattered or in groups; July to 

 September; edible. 



Cap smooth, or slightly flocculent (with a few flakes upon 

 its surface); white or yellowish; 2 to 5 inches broad. 



Gills at first whitish or very slightly pinkish; turning dull 

 pink, then blackish brown; near together; free from the stem. 



Stem stout ; hollow ; somewhat thicker or bulbous at the base; 

 white; with a double ring, the upper part membranous, the 

 lower part thicker, split radially, yellowish; 2 to 4 inches long. 



Spores brown; elliptic; .0003 to .0004 inches long. 



The horse mushroom, also called meadow mushroom, is so 

 much like the common mushroom that some botanists have 

 supposed it to be a mere variety of that species. The most 

 notable differences are its larger size, its hollow, somewhat 

 bulbous stem, its peculiar veil or collar and the paler gills 

 of the young plant. The cap in dried specimens is apt to 

 assume a yellow color which does not pertain to the Common 

 mushroom. No serious harm could come if it should be 

 confused with the common mushroom. Peck. 



Agaricus campestris; common mushroom; edible mush- 

 room. Plate 2, Species 2. 

 On ground in grassy places, in pastures, on lawns and 

 manured ground, in mushroom beds, never in thick woods; 

 singly or in groups; latter part of July to September; edible. 



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