IQIO.] 



Edible Fungi. 



1009 



EDIBLE FUNGI.* 



Bleeding Agaric, Agaricus hcemorhoidarius (Fig. 4). 

 The cap is globose, when expanded it is brownish, tinged 

 with red or purple at the centre, scaly, 3 to 5 inches across ; 

 gills rosy, then purplish umber; stem 4 to 5 inches long, 

 cylindrical, base swollen, white, instantly becoming stained 

 red when bruised, hollow, ring large. The flesh of the cap is 

 thick, white, and like the flesh of the stem, instantly becomes 

 red when cut. 



It is most abundant in pine woods in the autumn. It may 

 be easily recognised by the dark-coloured gills, and by every 

 part of the plant becoming deep red when bruised or cut. 



The flavour of this variety is also stated to be superior to 

 that of the common mushroom. 



Shaggy Caps, Coprinus comatus (Fig. 5). 



This is a distinctly marked fungus, which cannot be con- 

 founded with any other species. The cap is cylindrical and 

 covered with a dull yellow crust, which becomes broken up 

 into more or less shaggy scales, exposing the white flesh, 

 4 to 7 inches high. Gills white at first, then pinkish, finally 

 black, closely crowded. Stem white, 6 to 9 inches long, 

 thickened downwards. 



At maturity the cap splits and turns upwards, and the gills 

 deliquesce into a black, inky fluid, which drips to the ground. 

 The entire substance of the cap also eventually melts away, 

 leaving the stem alone standing. 



It occurs in considerable numbers, amongst grass or on 

 waste ground in early summer and autumn. 



It is usually eaten when the gills are flesh-coloured near 

 the edge, and before they commence to turn black. It may 

 also be eaten after the gills have become black, but the inky- 

 looking mass is not inviting. 



Warty Caps, Amanita rubescens (Fig. 6). 

 This is globose at first, then expanding until nearly flat, of 

 dull brick-red or dingy reddish-brown colour, more or less 

 covered with whitish patches that are easily rubbed off, 3 to 5 



* Nos. 1-3 of this series of coloured plates and descriptions appeared in the 

 Journal for February, 1910. 



