112 EDIBLE AND POISONOUS MUSHROOMS. 



the absence of the distinct membranaceous 

 ring. 



A similar species resembles (rather than 

 imitates) the St. George's Mushroom ; this 

 is Ag. crustuliniformis, which is about the 

 same size, but less robust and fleshy, darker 

 in colour, resembling a cracknel, with dusky 

 gills and dark brown spores. Instead of 

 the very strong mushroomy odour of the 

 St. George's Mushroom, it has a faint, dis- 

 agreeable smell, and, to complete the decep 

 tion, it has the habit of coming up in rings, 

 but it grows in woods and not in pastures, 

 and comes up in the autumn instead of the 

 spring. This also is a reputed deleterious 

 species. 



