476 



MUSHROOMS 



MUSHROOMS 



with the stem. This veil protects on the under side 

 of the cap certain plate-like radial structures, 

 which reach practically from the stem to the per- 

 iphery of the cap. These plate-like structures are 

 known as the gills, or lamellse, and in young speci- 

 mens of this genus they are invariably some form 

 of pink, but on the breaking away of the veil and 

 exposure to the air they soon become brown and 

 eventually brown-black. These characters enable 

 one to distinguish this species with absolute cer- 

 tainty from any 



mjurious form. 

 The umbrella 

 shape, the annu- 

 lus, and the gills 

 are common to 

 many species and 

 even to genera ; 

 but the umbrella 

 shape coupled 

 with the presence 

 of an annulus (no 

 other appendages 

 being present on 

 the stem) and 

 with the pink 

 gills becoming 

 brown-black, can- 

 not be confused 

 "with those of un- 

 desirable forms. 

 It should be borne 

 in mind, however, 

 that there are dif- 

 ferences in the 

 color of the varie- 

 ties of this spe- 

 cies. Again, there 

 may be slight dif- 

 ferences in the 

 form of the annu- 

 lus, in the shape 

 of the stem, and 

 other features. 

 However greatly these varieties may differ one 

 from another, there is a general resemblance which 

 is constant. 



Agarieiis campestris, as a wild plant, is usually 

 found during the late summer and autumn, al- 

 though in sections of the country where the win- 

 ters are light and the spring of some length, they 

 may appear in some quantity during June. This 

 refers only to general conditions, for in special 

 localities, as, for example, in California, the mush- 

 room may occur in greatest abundance after the 

 beginning of the winter rains, coming in abund- 

 antly in early January. 



One should not be content to use merely this 

 one group of mushrooms, but should gradually 

 acquire a knowledge of other groups concerning 

 which there can be no question of edibility and no 

 possibility of mistake. As the interest increases, 

 definite knowledge of species will be acquired, and 

 one will find himself able to utilize a number of 

 the more valuable species as readily as he may 



Fig. .706. Tolvaria bombycina. 

 edible red-spored agaric. 



utilize the berries of the field or the game of the 

 woods. Attention may therefore be called to a 

 few groups of mushrooms to which the amateur 

 might first give consideration, and also to a few 

 forms which it is well at the outset entirely to 

 avoid. 



For home consumption there is no group of fungi 

 more easily secured than certain species of the 

 Ink Caps, belonging to the genus Coprinus. The 

 characters of the Ink Caps, in general, are the 

 umbrella shape, a very slight indication of an 

 annulus, gills becoming black, and, best of all, the 

 gills, and sometimes the whole plant, becoming 

 deliquescent with age, so that, as the plant matures, 

 the gills break down from the edges of the pileus 

 toward the center, and the whole plant may even- 

 tually disappear in an inky mass. The two more 

 common species of this group are, the one named 

 Coprinus (C. comatus, Fig. 704), sometimes known 

 as Shag Mane, a plant which attains a height of six 

 to nine inches, with an oval or oblong pileus and 

 shaggy surface, becoming gradually deliquescent. 

 It is large and iieshy, with excellent flavor. It can 

 be found in lnwns and meadows, and in grassy 

 places anywhere, and is usually most frequent dur- 

 ing the spring months. The plants are more or 

 less solitary, or in loose groups. The other species, 

 which is important because of its size and flavor, 

 is the true Ink Cap (Coprinus atramentarius, Fig. 

 705). As a rule, this species is found in similar 

 situations as the above, but in closer tufts, and 

 usually it is more frequent. The life of the plant 

 above the surface of the ground is at most but a 

 few days, when it also disappears in the manner 

 of other members of this group. 



From what has been said, it is evident that the 

 Coprini are not to be used for market purposes. 

 When found they should be immediately used. The 

 flesh is not so firm as that of other species, there- 

 fore care must be used in the preparation of these 

 for food in order that they may be most appetizing. 



There are other brown or brown-black spored 

 forms which are desirable, and so far as at pres- 

 ent known, no species is poisonous. The more 

 desirable forms, however, should be learned by 

 gradual experience. 



Among the Agarics which have white spores, 

 there is a genus which contains several highly 

 poisonous species. The general characters of the 

 group may be briefly indicated. The plant is 

 umbrella-shaped. There is an annulus borne in the 

 characteristic fashion near the upper end of the 

 stem, and, in addition, there is an appendage of the 

 stem, known as a volva, which is to be found at or 

 near the base of the stem in the form of a definite 

 ridge or sheath. In either case it is what remains 

 about the stem of the universal veil which inclosed 

 the young plant before it assumed its definite 

 umbrella form. Sometimes the whole plant breaks 

 through this sheath and no markings of the uni- 

 versal veil are left on the cap. Again, to the sur- 

 face of the cap the veil is adherent, and, as the cap 

 expands, it may be broken up into sc.ales or floccose 

 patches. The gills are white in the poisonous spe- 

 cies. The two species which every one should 



