Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/272

250] be composed of woolly fibres filled with a glutinous dew; and thrives in the same place, as well as in the park at Edgbaston, under large Spanish chesnut-trees.

8. The cinnamomeus, or Brown Mushroom, has a convex, but flatted, clothy cap; often with a central rise, in colour resembling that of a chesnut, or newly tanned leather. Its long stem is yellowish and naked, and the gills tawny red. This plant is readily distinguished by its cinnamon colour: in the months of September and October, it abounds in woods, especially in the plantations at Tettenhall, Staffordshire, and at Pendarvis, in Cornwall: it emits an agreeable odour, and, when boiled, possesses a fine flavour.

9. The violaceus, or Violet-coloured Mushroom, has numerous purple gills, eight in a set: the cap being of a purple or brown cast, convex, and the edge turned down; the stem is also purple and cylindrical, from $1⁄4$ to one inch in diameter, and growing from one to four inches in height.—This species remarkably varies, both in its size and tints. When full grown, the cap changes its lilac colour to a russet hue; but the gills continue nearly in the same state; hence, according to Major, the latter afford a more accurate criterion, with respect to colour, than any other part of mushrooms in general.—The violet-coloured mushroom is in perfection from October to December, and is frequently found at Edgbaston and Barr Plantations, in the woods near Bath, and at Powick, near Worcester.—When thoroughly boiled and seasoned, it is asserted to be as palatable as an oyster.

We have now enumerated the principal species of mushrooms that are poisonous, as well as those which may be safely eaten; but, as their harmless, or noxious properties, in a great measure depend on the nature and situation of the soil producing them, it will always be necessary to attend to this circumstance, before they are gathered. There is no doubt but that the gills inhale the stagnant or superfluous vapours from the ground; hence, they speedily putrefy, and become the prey of worms, flies, and other insects.

In horticulture, the esculent mushrooms only are raised artificially; for this purpose, when no young plants can be procured from the fields or gardens, their roots, spawn, or embryons, may be generated from horse-dung, laid unbroken in small heaps, under cover. In a few weeks, during the summer months, fibrous roots will appear, resembling white threads, which, on separating the heaps, emit the smell of mushrooms.

The dung is directed to be carefully piled up, as entire as possible, about three inches thick, on a hot-bed of a moderate heat; and formed of alternate strata of horse-dung, and tanner's-waste; the uppermost layer being composed wholly of tan, to the thickness of two inches. The bed is next to be covered with a little manure, and to be raised about three inches, with good soil; when it is finally overspread with a thick stratum, or coat of straw.

The most proper place for the formation of mushroom-beds, is in the shed usually erected behind hot-houses; because, as these plants vegetate without light, warmth only is requisite, provided they be occa-