The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-06-15

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 In making a study of the fungi, it is necessary after noting the size, shape and color of the specimen, and where it grew, to jot down observations upon the position and character of the veil. the size and shape of the gills, also whether they change color as the mush room grows, or after it has been picked.
 The interesting growths called fairy rings probably arise, pr, Jelliffe said, from the scattered spores of single fungus. One mushroom eXhausts the nourishing power of the soil under it and most of its spores must fall upon pre-empted ground, but those on the outer edge may find nourishment enough to develop few struggling my cellum threads. These produce clus- ter of mushrooms around the circle va oated by the parent, and, in turn, eX- haust the soil So with each successive generation, the ring grows wider until at last, if accidents or stones or weeds do not prevent, fairy ring Is found in all its perfection.
 The agaricus campestrus, or ordinary field mushroom is easily distinguished if one knows other species Its color is 6 dirty white or gray on top, and it has short stem with a white, woolly ring around it. The unequal gills are del- icate pink at first, but later they turn to brownish purple, never white. One important thing to remember is that 1t never grows in woods, but always in fields, and preferably in pastures, where cows or sheep have fertilized the soil and kept the grass cropped. In such places, from August to October, one may be almost sure of finding a good crop of field mushrooms, if there has | been rain. | The field mushroom has poor rela- l ton that is often avoided because 1t is not exactly like its more popular rela- tive This is the horse mushroom, or Agaricus arvensis. It is a little larger than the field mushroom, and it is pure white on top. It may grow on the bor- ders of woods or the border of garden beds; also about stables.
 Whenever large parasol-shaped mushroom is found with white gills, a long spotted stem, swollen at the base, with ring that will slip up and down, 1t must be the parasol mushroom, and it can be eaten with perfect safety" nr. Jelliffe quoted the foregoing from a writer on mushrooms. It rerers to the Parasol Agaric, Agaricus proceras, sometimes called the shaggy mushroom | from the scales which cover it's parasol | top.
 The Coprinus comatus is an edible mushroom much used by the English for catsup. It has rich juice, but it is only within the last few years that 1t has been recognized as an edible in this country.
 Of all the poisonous mushrooms, those belonging to the group called Amanita were described as the most in- teresting because some of the species resemble so treacherously some edible species of other groups. The one that 1 is commonly mistaken for the edible field mushroom is the common spring mushroom, Amanita vernus. It is white all over even on the gills, and il makes 1t appearance in the spring time instead of the autumn, growing ir | woods instead of in pastures and fields
 Another point which the lecturer said should be noted in this as well as ir other species of this group, is that there is sheath at the base of the stem-the remains of the Volva. Some mush. rooms, when young, are completely GOV cred with a membrane like delicate egg she'll When this ruptures, DOT l ton of it remains at the bottom and of | ten sticks to the cap in little Warty ex- crescences. Not all mushrooms with 2 volva are poisonous, however, although it Is wise, as a rule, for the uninitiateG to leave 8 specimen alone if 1t is provi- ded with this sheath at the base of the stem.
 In this group of so-called deadly Amanita, whose very name is a symbo of death, there are several deliciously | edible kinds. One of these Is called Caesars mushroom, or Amanita Caesa- ri. It is sometimes called the poultry mushroom" from its egg-like appear ance when it first pushes it's way out O. the ground The Amanitas all spring from volva and have bulbous base combination of characteristics whicl constitute a danger signal.
 The fly mushroom was referred to a' one or the ueadlleSt. MdSHlHcenC t' look at, with it's tall, straight stem ant hanging veil, its large symmetrical or ange or yellow cap, and it's pure whit gills, it is a much heater. cleaner fun gus than many of the edible kind which perhaps explains how so man, of the Amanitas work struction-the! are so attractive in their appearance A poisonous alkaloid called muscaline i
 extracted from the caps.-Americal