Fairy rings are sometimes distinctly seen visible on a hillside from a considerable distance, many of them being years old and of enormous dimensions. One recorded from Stebbing, in Essex, measured 120 feet across, the grass all over it being very coarse and dark green in color, chiefly of the cock’s-foot species. Rings found in pasture lands are composed of several species of fungi, all of which are edible. They are most frequently observed to be formed by marasmius oreades, a little buff mushroom which most people know under the name of champignons, or Scotch bonnets. It is abundant everywhere. For several months in the year it comes up in successive crops in great profusion after rain, and continually traces fairy rings among the grass. Another and very delicious mushroom, agaricus prunulus, sometimes called the plum agaric, and known in America as the French mushroom, occasionally succeeds a crop of the champignons which had recently occupied the same site. It is sometimes found throughout the summer, but autumn is the time to look for it. The only other good edible fungi to be found in any quantity forming rings are the horse-mushroom, the giant-mushroom, and St. George’s mushroom. The first two are excellent eating, and to be had in the late summer and autumn; but the last are reproduced in rings in spring every year--the circle continuing to increase till it breaks up into irregular lines. The continuity of the circle is a sign to the collector that there will be a plentiful harvest next spring, while the breaking up is conclusive proof that it is going to disappear from that place. Spring is the only time it makes its appearance, and the proper place to look for it is the borders of woodlands. It is one of the most savory of mushrooms, and difficult to be confounded with any other, as it appears at a time when scarcely any other kinds occur. Like the champignon, it has an advantage over the common mushroom in the readiness with which it dries, and is largely employed in the preparation of ketchup. It is called St. George’s mushroom on account of its appearing about St. George’s Day, the 23d of April, and among the peasants of Austria is looked on as a special gift from that saint. In Italy a basket of early specimens is a favorite present among all classes. LICHENS --HUGH MACMILLAN