have, indeed, grieved when I reflected on the straitened conditions of the lower orders to see pounds innumerable of extempore beefsteaks growing on our Oaks in the shape of _Fistula hepatica_; _Ag. fusipes_, to pickle in clusters under them; _Puffballs_, which some of our friends have not inaptly compared to sweet-bread for the rich delicacy of their unassisted flavour; _Hydna_, as good as oysters, which they very much resemble in taste; _Agaricus deliciosus_, reminding us of tender lamb's kidneys: the beautiful yellow _Chantarelle_, that _kalon kagathon_ of diet, growing by the bushel, and no basket but our own to pick up a few specimens in our way; the sweet nutty-flavoured _Boletus_, in vain calling himself _edulis_ when there was none to believe him; the dainty _Orcella_; the _Ag. hetherophyllus_, which tastes like the crawfish when grilled; the _Ag. ruber_ and _Ag. virescens_, to cook in any way, and equally good in all." As to the fairy rings (Nos. 1, 2, and 3) a great amount of legendary lore was connected with them. Browne notices them-- "A pleasant mead Where fairies often did their measures tread, Which in the meadows makes such circles green As if with garlands it had crowned been." _Britannia's Pastorals._ Cowley said-- "Where once such fairies dance, No grass does ever grow;" and in Shakespeare's time the sheep refused to eat the grass on the fairy rings (1); I believe they now feed on it, but I have not been able to ascertain this with certainty. Others, besides the sheep, avoided them. "When the damsels of old gathered may-dew on the grass, which they made use of to improve their complexions, they left undisturbed such of it as they perceived on the fairy rings, apprehensive that the fairies should in revenge destroy their beauty, nor was it reckoned safe to put the foot within the rings, lest they should be liable to fairies' power."--DOUCE'S _Illustrations_, p. 180. FOOTNOTES: [170:1] Herrick calls them "brownest Toadstones." MUSK ROSES, _see_ ROSE. MUSTARD. (1) _Doll._ They say Poins has a good wit. _Falstaff._ He a good wit? hang him, baboon! his wit's as thick as Tewksbury Mustard; there is no more conceit in him than in a mallet. _2nd Henry IV_, act ii, sc. 4 (260). (2) _Titania._ Pease-blossom! Cobweb! Moth! and Mustardseed! * * * * * _Bottom._ Your name, I beseech you, sir? _Mustardseed._ Mustardseed. _Bottom._ Good Master Mustardseed, I know your patience well; that same cowardly giant-like ox-beef hath devoured many a gentleman of your house: I promise you your kindred hath made my eyes water ere now. I desire your more acquaintance, good Master Mustardseed.