BROWN MUSHROOMS. 43 



mushroom, which are raised artificially from mush- 

 room spawn. In all these the spores are small, 

 elliptical, and of a very dark brown, almost black 

 colour ; indeed they seem to be black when thrown 

 down upon white paper, but decidedly brown when 

 viewed by transmitted light under the microscope. 



When alluding to some of the modes of cooking, as 

 applied to the common mushroom, we omitted men- 

 tion of one which will commend itself to all whose 

 stomachs will bear rich food, without fear of bilious 

 results. It consists in cleaning and slicing up the 

 mushrooms, and boiling, or stewing them very gently 

 in milk — just enough to cover them. When suffici- 

 ently stewed add salt and spice, a lump of butter, and 

 thicken with good thick cream ; stir them well to- 

 gether and serve. Wherever the richness of the dish 

 is no obstacle, this will be found an improvement on 

 the old method of stewing in water, and thickening 

 with flour, or even to stewing in gravy or stock. Let 

 no one blame the mushrooms in the event of this 

 dish disagreeing with them, since it must be evident 

 that it would be a rash venture with a delicate 

 stomach. 



