025 inch long.

It may be easily distinguished from the common Agaric by the time when
found, its thick firm flesh, its narrow gills, which are almost white at
first, and its double collar. I have found people eating it, supposing
they were eating the common mushroom.

It is found in grassy places and especially between the cobble stones
along the gutters in the cities. The specimens in Figure 250 were found
in Chillicothe in the gutters. It is a meaty plant and one can soon tell
it from its weight alone. It is found through May and June. It is fully
as good to eat as the common mushroom. Macadam speaks of finding it in
the fall, but I have never succeeded in finding it later than June.

_Agaricus silvicola. Vitt._

THE SILVAN AGARIC. EDIBLE.

[Illustration: Figure 251.--Agaricus silvicola. One-half natural size.]

Silvicola, from silva, woods and colo, to inhabit. The pileus is convex,
sometimes expanded or nearly plane, smooth, shining, white or yellowish.

The gills are crowded, thin, free, rounded behind, generally narrowed
toward each end, at first white, then pinkish, finally blackish-brown.

The stem is long, cylindrical, stuffed or hollow, white, bulbous; ring
either thick or thin, entire or lacerated. Spores elliptical,
6-8x4-5. The plant is four to six inches high. Pileus three to six
inches broad. _Peck._ 36th N. Y. State Bot.

A. silvicola is very closely related to the common mushroom. Its chief
differences are in its place of growth, its being slender, and its
hollow stem somewhat bulbous at the base. I have found it many times in
the woods about Chillicothe, although I have never succeeded in finding
more than one or two at a time. I have always put them with edible
species and have eaten them when thus cooked with others.

Because of the resemblance which it bears, in its earlier stages, to the
deadly Amanita, one can not exercise too great care in identifying it.
It grows in the woods and is found from July to October.

_Agaricus arvensis. Schaeff._

THE FIELD OR HORSE MUSHROOM. EDIBLE.

[Illustration: Figure 252.--Agaricus arvensis. Two-thirds natural size,
showing veil.]

_Arvensis, pertaining to a field._ Pileus is smooth, white or yellowish,
convex or conical, bell-shaped, then expanded, more or less mealy. The
gills are crowded, free, generally broader toward the stem; at first
whitish, then pinkish, finally black-brown.

The stem is stout, equal, slightly thickened at the base