142 



EDIBLE MUSHROOMS 



but according to certain American-speciafet-Sy-notably 

 Charles Mcllvaine, it is common in our woods in 



spring, even as early as March, and 



A "vegetable through the summer. It is usually 



oyster" found in large clusters, Sri-mi-l-ar-to our 



illustration, growing upon decaying 

 stumps and the trunks of various trees. The " oys- 

 ter" is a gilled mushroom which grows sidewise from 

 its position, the stem being usually lateral and very 

 short, though occasionally quite prolonged, the two 

 varieties being indicated in the accompanying cut. 



AGARICUS OSTREATUS— Variations in Form 



The individual mushroom may be five or six inch- 

 es in breadth, a cluster affording several pounds in 

 weight. The color of the upper surface is light 

 brown or buff, varying to yellowish-ashen, according 

 to age, and the gills are dirty white of various 

 lengths ; spores whitej^ 



This species and the one followingv belong to the 

 subdivision of the: typical genus'-^Agarlcuv-eallecl 

 Leucospori — white' spor'ed. The division has martj 



