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Agaricus elephantinus Hist. 28
Elephant Agaric.

This huge Agarick has grown in abundance
in Lee bank shroggs and several other
woods in the neighbourhood of Halifax this
present Autumn 1786. It grows in
the dry parts of woods where the ground
is thickly covered with moss, a large portion
of which (in forcing its way through the
carpet) it tears up by the roots, and bears
it for some time after like a Fleece on its
broad and brawny head. The stem is of
a gr<s>a</s>eyish white colour, solid, spongy, and freely
yields to the most gentle pressure. The Flesh
of the pileus is thick and pretty firm, the
gills remote brittle & gross.

When the plant has stood a few Days it
becomes more firm, acquires a colour like
that of half burnt charcoal, the verge of
the pileus becomes lacerated and irregularly
horizontal and appears just as if a strong
degree of fire had passed upon it. At last
it dissolves in a black turgid stinking Tar-like
jelly.
        