76 BRITISH EDIBLE FUNGI. 



We are induced to add to this chapter some features 

 by which two or three other good species may be re- 

 cognized, which are akin to " dusky caps." The large 

 funnel mushrooms, with a cap so deeply sunk in the 

 centre that it resembles a funnel, are too rare to re- 

 quire more than a passing reference. The "giant 

 mushroom " nearly a foot in diameter {Agaricus 

 giganteus) and the "large funnel" which is not so 

 broad {Agaricus maximus) but nearly a foot in height, 

 are excellent food, but they occur so seldom as to 

 amount almost to phenomena. One large funnel 

 shaped mushroom (Agaricus geotropus) is rather more 

 common, but perhaps local, and deserves mention. 

 During last autumn (1890) when fungi of all kinds have 

 been exceptionally scarce, we saw ten or twelve fine 

 specimens brought in from a day's excursion. The cap 

 is creamy white, or pale tan colour, four or five inches 

 broad, deeply depressed, like a funnel, smooth, soft 

 and fleshy. Stem six inches long, so that with the 

 rising cap the whole fungus would attain to nine 

 inches ; this solid stem tapering upwards from a base 

 an inch-and-a-half thick, and more or less fibrous. 

 The gills numerous and crowded, running down the 

 stem, white at first, and then almost of the colour 

 of the cap. The flesh is thick, nearly an inch in 

 large specimens, sweet and nutty to the taste, and a 

 slight mealy odour. It grows in woods or on their 

 borders, several specimens together, or forming part 

 of a ring. This is equal to the dusky caps as an 



