THE Mushroom is a fungous plant, without appearance of leaves, flowers, or seed, a species of the Genus Agaricus, subject to the botanic class Cryptogamia Fungi, comprehending fungous plants, which have concealed, or doubtful genital organs, and without visible flower or seed; thereby belonging to the family of imperfect vegetables; a numerous train of which are of this fungous tribe. They consist of different genera, and numerous species and varieties, many of them of a poisonous, or at least of a suspicious nature. One species only merits cultivation as a wholesome esculent, which is that under consideration.

Agaricus Campestris, Field Agaric, or Common Mushroom, rises from the ground in its