USES, 88 
known esculent, whether in its uncultivated or in a cultivated 
state. In Britain many thousands of people, notably the lower 
classes, will not recognize any other as fit for food, whilst in 
Ttaly the same classes have a strong prejudice against this very 
species.* In Vienna, we found by personal experience that, 
although many others are eaten, it is this which has the most 
universal preference, yet it appears but sparingly in the markets 
as compared with others. In Hungary it does not enjoy by 
any means so good a reputation. In France and in Germony 
it is a common article of consumption. The different varieties 
found, as the results of cultivation, present some variation in 
colour, scaliness of pileus, and other minor features, whilst 
remaining true to the constituent characters of the species, 
Although it is not our intention to enumerate here the botanical 
distinctions of the species to which we may call attention, yet, 
as mistakes (sometimes fatal) are often being recorded, in which 
other fungi are confounded with this, we may be permitted a 
hint or two which should be remembered. The spores are 
purple, the gills are at first delicate pink, afterwards purple; 
there is a permanent ring or collar round the stem, and it must 
not be sought in woods. Many accidents might have been 
spared had these facts been remembered. 
The meadow mushroom (Agaricus arvensis) is common in 
meadows and lowland pastures, and is usually of a larger size 
than the preceding, with which it agrees in many particulars, 
and is sent in enormous quantities to Covent Garden, where it 
frequently predominates over Agaricus campestris. Some persons 
prefer this, which has a stronger flavour, to the ordinary mush- 
room, and it is the species most commonly sold in the autumn 
in the streets of London and provincial towns. According to 
Persoon, it is preferred in France; and, in Hungary, it is con- 
sidered as a special gift from St. George. It has acquired in 
England the name of horse mushroom, from the enormous size 
* Badham, Dr. C. D., ‘‘A Treatise on the Esculent Funguses of England,” 
Ist edition (1847), p. 81, pl. 4; 2nd edition, edited by F. Currey, M.A, 
(1863), p. 94, pl. 4; Cooke, M. C., ‘‘A Plain and Easy Account of British 
Fungi,” 1st edition (1862), p. 44. : 
