96 
leather, at other times it is dark brown and scaly, its gills do not 
touch the stem and the top has an overlapping edge. 
Although consumed so largely by us in this country this fungus 
is, as I think I have before said, not appreciated in Italy. I have 
noticed its absence from the market-places of Eome, Naples, and 
V enice, whilst other fungi were in abundance. 
dhe ketchuja made from this mushroom is generally considered 
to be the best, although Smith says that in Covent Garden the 
horse mushroom (A. arvensis) is almost exclusively sold for this 
purpose. Mr. Smith also states that cows will eat the meadow 
mushroom, if so its mysterious disappearance may often be due to 
bovine rather than to human marauders. Two varieties of A.c. 
are down in my list (1) A. livatensis, on the authority of Mr. 
Trimmer, and (2) A. rufescens, on that of Mr. Plowright. 
A. praiensls differs from campestris in having hairs on the top 
of it, and its flesh being of a reddish colour, it is said to equal if 
not exceed A.c. in piquancy and excellence. 
A. rufescens, Cook describes as a “ distinct variety, whose flesh 
turns of a bright red when bruised, the gills bemg at first white.” 
Mr. Plowright certifies to its edible virtues. 
The horse mushroom [A. arvensis) differs from campestris (1) in 
the large size to which it often attains, (2) when bruised it turns 
yellow, (3) the gills are not pink but of a brownish-white. 
Although inferior in esculency to A. campestris it yields a large 
quantity of ketchup, and meets with a ready sale in the London 
markets. Smith says he once saw a sheep eating this musliroom. 
Agaricus ruhescens. Messrs. Crowfoot, Plowright, and l\Iiles 
report on the red-fleshed mushroom. Smith says of it, “ I well 
know it to be delicious and perfectly wholesome, as I have not 
only eaten it myself but I have known it to be largely eaten by 
many amateurs.” Mr. Plowright also reports well of its esculent 
virtues. You will see it Iso. 1 on the chart, with its warty jrileus, 
white giUs and well marked ring. 
Agaricus strohiliformis, the fir-coloured mushroom, is of rare 
occurrence. Mr. Plowright includes it in the Norfolk list. In 
Smith’s chart it is No. 10, distinguished by its scales on the top 
like a fir cone. 
Agaricus procerus, the parasol mushroom; a beautiful and 
delicate looking fungus, growing mostly in hedge baidcs and 
