86 FUNGI. 
man says that it 1s 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, Agaricue albellus,* 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,t has a similar reputation. 
Two singularly fragrant species are also included amongst the 
esculent. These are Agaricus fragrans, Sow., and Agaricus 
odorus, Bull. Both have a sweet anise-like odour, which is per- 
sistent for along 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 antumn for domestic use. We have the 
assurance of one who has often proved them that they constitate 
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, Ayaricus geotrupes, 
Bull, found on the borders of woods, often forming rings, both 
in this country and in the United States, as well as on the eonti- 
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.t), 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,” pl. 122; Smith, in ‘‘Seemann’s Journ, Bot.” 
(1866), t. 46, f. 45. 
+ Klotsch, ‘*Flora Borussica,” t. 374; Smith, in ‘“‘Seem. Journ. Bot.” 
(1869), t. 95, f. 1-4. 
t Krombholz, ‘‘ Abbildungen der Schwiimme,”’ pl. 41, f. 1-7. 
