_Mode_.--For this mode of cooking, the mushroom flaps are better than
the buttons, and should not be too large. Cut off a portion of the
stalk, peel the top, and wipe the mushrooms carefully with a piece of
flannel and a little fine salt. Put them into a tin baking-dish, with a
very small piece of butter placed on each mushroom; sprinkle over a
little pepper, and let them bake for about 20 minutes, or longer should
the mushrooms be very large. Have ready a _very hot_ dish, pile the
mushrooms high in the centre, pour the gravy round, and send them to
table quickly, with very _hot_ plates.
_Time_.--20 minutes; large mushrooms, 1/2 hour.
_Average cost_, 1d. each for large mushroom-flaps.
_Sufficient_ for 5 or 6 persons.
_Seasonable_.--Meadow mushrooms in September and October; cultivated
mushrooms may be had at any time.
FUNGI.--These are common parasitical plants, originating in the
production of copious filamentous threads, called the mycelium,
or spawn. Rounded tubers appear on the mycelium; some of these
enlarge rapidly, burst an outer covering, which is left at the
base, and protrude a thick stalk, bearing at its summit a
rounded body, which in a short time expands into the pileus or
cap. The gills, which occupy its lower surface, consist of
parallel plates, bearing naked sporules over their whole
surface. Some of the cells, which are visible by the microscope,
produce four small cells at their free summit, apparently by
germination and constriction. These are the sporules, and this
is the development of the Agarics.
BROILED MUSHROOMS.
(A Breakfast, Luncheon, or Supper Dish.)