3§ BRITISH EDIBLE FUNGI. 



this kind of mushroom more than three or four times ; 

 and then it was collected under the drip of large oak 

 trees in pastures. It was first of all found in this 

 country, but has since been met with in France. For 

 size it exceeds the common mushroom, but is scarcely 

 so large as the horse mushroom, and usually grows 

 gregariously, a number together, though not forming 

 a ring. It differs from both the above in being much 

 darker coloured, almost purplish brown, with the top 

 of the cap, or pileus, broken up into large brown 

 scales, which are somewhat conical towards the 

 margin. This scaly cap gives it a most remarkable 

 appearance, but the odour is # so " mushroomy " that it 

 would at once be supposed to be a near relation of 

 the mushroom, notwithstanding the great difference 

 in appearance. The gills at first are of a brownish 

 flesh colour, becoming dark purplish brown, like those 

 of the mushroom, with age. The ring around the 

 stem is large, warted on the under side, but soon 

 hanging down like a turn-down collar. When cut 

 through the cap the thick, firm flesh will be found of 

 a dirty white, but not changing colour, or very 

 slightly, on exposure to the air. When fully ex- 

 panded the cup is generally five or six inches in 

 diameter, and the stem is proportionately robust. 



The flavour, when cooked, has been strongly com- 

 mended by all who have experienced it. Some have 

 gone so far as to declare it superior to the finest 

 mushroom ever eaten, and all have confessed it in 



