The colour of the fungus is exactly like that of a cracknel; the smooth top is frequently irregular, and the pure solid stem often out of the centre. The top sometimes partakes of a warmer, almost sienna, colouring. =Viscid White Mushroom.= Fig. 23. (_Hygrophorus virgineus._) 470. This species, exquisite in form and flavour, is one of the prettiest ornaments of our lawns, downs, and short pastures at the fall of the year. In these situations it may be found in every part of the kingdom. It is essentially waxy, and feels and looks precisely as if made of the purest virgin wax. The stem is firm, stuffed, and attenuated, and the gills (singularly distant from each other) run far down the stem; it changes colour a little when getting old, at which time it is unfit for culinary purposes. A batch of fresh specimens, broiled or stewed with taste and care, will prove agreeable, succulent, and flavorous eating, and may sometimes be obtained when other species are not to be had. Several allied species enjoy the reputation of being esculent, notably _H. pratensis_ and _H. niveus_; and my friend Mr. F. C. Penrose has eaten, and speaks favourably of, _H. psittacinus_—a highly ornamental yellow species, with a green stem, sometimes common enough in rich pastures (and generally _said_ to be very suspicious). =Clouded Mushroom.= Fig. 24. (_Agaricus_ [_Clitocybe_] _nebularis._) 78. Common (in certain places), but rare near London. This species appears late in the autumn and generally grows on dead leaves in moist places, principally on the borders of woods. The top is lead-colour or grey, at first _clouded_ grey,—hence its name; the stem is stout, elastic, and striate, with the _white_ gills running considerably down the ringless stem, in the manner shown in the drawing. The gastronomic excellences of the species are well known. When gathered, it has a wholesome and powerful odour; and when cooked, the firm and fragrant flesh has a particularly agreeable and palatable taste. =Giant Puff-ball.= Fig. 25. (_Lycoperdon giganteum._) 930. This species of puff-ball is not always a “giant,” and may frequently be found no larger than an apple. It is somewhat local, and I think only attains gigantic proportions in certain situations. I have, for instance, seen specimens growing in rich pastures in Nottinghamshire, so much larger than the specimen figured that the latter would appear a perfect _dwarf_ beside them. It may be found, in some of the meadows near Highgate and Hampstead, quite as big as our figure; but indeed there is little fear of a mistake, if attention is paid to the smooth skin,—like white kid leather. Young specimens must be chosen for cooking, such as are firm and snow-white, inside and out; for when the fungus is getting ripe and yellowish, and dusty inside, or when it is saturated with rain and the interior is a mass of yellow decomposition, of course it must be rejected.