Fir-cone Mushroom.Fig. 10.
(Agaricus[Amanita]strobiliformis.)5.
If colour is left out of the question, no finer species of Agaric than this one grows in the country. It attains a very large size inwell-grown specimens, but is rare. I have but once found it, and then it was sprinkled pretty plentifully along the borders of a fir plantation in Hampshire, not far from Winchester. The solid compact flesh, fine ring, bulbous stem, and patched top, well mark this species. The persistent patches on the top are not very unlike the scales of a fir-cone, hence its specific name; the gills do not reach the stem.
Its undisputed esculent qualities are of a high order, and it is to be regretted that its comparative rarity must prevent its being so well known and appreciated as its merits deserve. The specimen figured is not fully expanded, at which time most fungi are fuller of flavour.
A very common species ofAmanita(A. vaginatus), said to be esculent (and eaten by Mr. Penrose), I have not tried.