n, is free from
attacks of insects, carries better and keeps longer."

Mushroom beds in cellars are becoming quite popular and many are having
very good results.

_Agaricus halophilus. Pk._

SEA-LOVING AGARICUS EDIBLE.

[Illustration: Plate XXXVI. Figure 258.--Agaricus halophilus.

Showing the globose caps, narrow gills, solid stem, and the peculiar
incurved margin. Natural size.]

Halophilus is from two Greek words meaning sea and loving, or fond of.

This is a large fleshy plant and does not readily decay. At first it is
quite round, then becomes broadly convex. All specimens that I have
examined were covered with adpressed scales of a reddish-brown color,
becoming grayish-brown when old. The flesh is white, becoming pink or
reddish when cut. The margin has a peculiar angular turn, often
retaining portions of the rather fragile veil.

The taste is pleasant, and the odor is distinctly that of the seashore.

The gills are quite narrow, as will be seen in Figure 258, much crowded,
free, pinkish at first, becoming purplish-brown as the plant matures.
The edge of the gills is whitish.

The stem is short, stout, solid, firm, equal, or occasionally slightly
bulbous. The ring is rather delicate and in older specimens it is
frequently wanting. The spores are broadly elliptical and
purplish-brown, 7-8x5-6u.

The specimens in figure 258 were sent to me from Boston, Mass., by
Mrs. Blackford, and on opening the box the odor of the seashore was
plainly noticed. The flesh when cut quickly turned to a pinkish or
reddish hue and the water in which the plants were prepared for cooking
was changed to a faintly pink tinge. These plants were sent me the first
of June, but the stems were free from worms and were as easily cooked as
the caps. I regard it as one of the very best mushrooms for table use,
while also easy to distinguish.

It seems to delight in sandy soil near salt water. This was formerly
called Agaricus maritimus.

_Pilosace. Fr._

Pilosace is from two Greek words, _pilos_, felt; _sakos_, garment.

Hymenophore is distinct from the stem. Gills are free, and at first
remote, from the stem. The general and partial veil are both absent,
hence it is without ring or volva. This genus seems to have the habit of
Agaricus but no ring.

_Pilosace eximia. Pk._

[Illustration: Figure 259.--Pilosace eximia.]

Eximia means choice, distinguished.

The pileus is fleshy, thin, convex or broadly campanulate, at l