Mr. William Saunders, of Washington, D. C.. remarks on the mushroom, Agaricus, as follows, and describes the variety generally cultivated. The Agaricus campestris, or common mushroom, is the only species that is generally grown artifi cially. It is thus botanically described ; Stipes, (or stalk,) two or three inches in length, white, solid, fleshy, furnished with an annular veil, (a thin membraneous substance encircling the stalk.) Miens, (cap, or edible part.) fleshy, dry, convex, convexo-plane, white, changing from yellowish to brownish. Gills, (thin parallel plates, underside of the cap.) free, ventrieose,
fungi have been lately described by Dr. Curtis. vvhich we give below; the italics refer to the generic name, and the Roman to the names of varieties: Dr. Curtis says that hill and plain, mountain and valley, woods, fields, and pastures, swarm with a profusion of good, nutritious fungi, which are allowed to decay where they spring up, because people do not know how, or are afraid, to use them. And adds: By those of us who know their use, their value was appreciated, as never before, during the late war, when other food, especially meat, was scarce and dear. Then such persons as I have heard express a prefer ence for mushrooms over meat had generally no need to lack grateful food, as it was easily had for the gathering, and within easy distance of their homes, if living in the country. Such was not always the case, however. I remember once, .during the gloomy period when there had been a protracted drought, and fleshy fungi were to be found only in damp shaded woods, and but few even there, I was unable to find enough of any one species for a meal, so, gather ing of everykind, I brought home thirteen differ ent kinds, had them all cooked together in one grand pot pourri, and made an excellent slipper. One important use to Which several species of fungi can be applied is the manufacture of cat sup. For this purpose, not only is the mush room, Agaricus campestris, and the horse-mush room, Agaricus arvensis, available, but also Agarkus rubescens is declared to be excellent for the purpose, and a delicious, but pale, extract is to be obtained from Marasorius oreades Other species, as Coprinus comatus and Coprinus atramentarius, are also available, together with Fistulina hepatica and Aforcehella esculent'', In some districts, when mushrooms are scarce, it is stated that almost any species that will yield a dark juice is without scruple mixed with the common mushroom, and, it should seem, with out any bad consequence, except the deteriora tion of the catsup.