Marasmius
(from marasmos, withering; on account of the plants being dry and leathery). A genus of Mushrooms characterised by not decaying readily, but by being so tough and leathery in all their parts that, after being quite dried, they can resume their form when again moistened. The cap is fixed to the stalk by the middle of the lower surface, and the gills are tough, and are not incised at all. The species are rather numerous. They are usually of small size. The best-known species in the genus is M. oreades (the Champignon or Fairy-ring Mushroom), common on lawns as one of the Fungi that make the so-called Fairy Rings. This Mushroom varies from 1in. to 2in. across the cap, and is provided with a stalk about 2in. or 3in. long. It is smooth above, and rather moist, striped at the margin, and pale reddish. The gills are nearly white. It has an agreeable odour, and is much esteemed as an article of food.