i^&v-*

ELEMENTARY TEXT-BOOK OF BRITISH FUNGI.

AN ELEMENTARY TEXT-BOOK

OF

BRITISH FUNGI.

ILLUSTRATED.

BY

IVILLIAM DELISLE HAY, F.E.G.S.,

AUTHOR OF "bEIGHTEU BRITAIN," ETC., ETC.

To give and preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth,
BO as in due time we may enjoy them."

LIBRARY
NEW YORK
bOTAMCAL

GARDEN

LONDON :

SWAN SONNENSCHEIN, LOWREY & CO.,

PATERNOSTEK SQUAEE.

1887.

//

■ Builer & Tanner,

Tho SdvcooA PrinlinQ Worlcs,

Frome, and London.

PEE FACE. ^^

NEW YORK

m

if'

Crown 8uo, cloth, 3s. 6d.

THE FUNGUS HUNTER'S GUID]

AND

jftelb fIDemoranbum %oo\{.

WITH ANAI-YTICAL KEYS TO THE ORDERS AND GENERA ILLUSTRATED,
AND NOTES OF IMPORTANT SPECIES.

BY

W. DELISLE HAY, F.G.S.,

Al'THOR OK " A TEXT-BOOK OF BRITISH FUNGI," ETC.

LONDON : SWAN SONNENSCHEIN, LOWREY & CO.,

PATERNOSTER SQUARE.

myself to entertain the presumption of trying to do more.

My interest in Fungi began in boyhood^ but it has been
mostly within the last ten years that I have been able to
carry out diligent study, so far as the exigences of a strug-
gling life afforded opportunities for it. It has never been
my privilege, as_yet, to meet with any person versed in
Mycology from whom I could derive instruction. My short-
comings, therefore, may perhaps be forgiven on that score,
since I have had to rely on unassisted practical labour.

t \ \V^ " )

. H35

yMW(

PEBPACE. LIBRARY

'S'EW YORK

G.

The purpose and intention of the present work are set forth
in the opening chapter. It is designed to be an elemen-
tary introduction to the study of Fungi, chiefly in those
aspects which most readily engage popular attention.
Beyond that, it is intended to cover, as comprehensively and
accurately as possible, the entire subject of Fungi considered
as aliment. I am well convinced that such information is
often vainly sought for, that it is needed, and that it will
prove useful.

Every succeeding year shows that intelligent lovers of
Nature are inclined to take an increasing interest in Fungi.
There are, as I know from past experience, but few means
open to such persons of acquiring the knowledge they are
desirous of being possessed of, and there is no small diflSculty
in obtaining access to the recorded results of mycologists'
labours. It has been my object to meet popular require-
ments, so far as my ability went, and I have not allowed
myself to entertain the presumption of trying to do more.

My interest in Fungi began in boyhood, but it has been
mostly within the last ten years that I have been able to
carry out diligent study, so far as the exigences of a strug-
gling life afforded opportunities for it. Itjias never been
my privilege, as yet, to meet with any person versed in
Mycology from whom I could derive instruction. My short-
comings, therefore, may perhaps be forgiven on that score,
since I have had to rely on unassisted practical labour.

VI PREFACE.

only directed and inspired by a ^ide acquaintance with

I mycological literature. But, so far as " toadstool-eating "

I goes^ I believe I have a right to speak with authority, since

my own gastronomic experiments have been many, frequent,

and varied.

Four years ago, when I had achieved the not slight task
of writing the '* Textbook," a scheme for its production was
proposed which I found myself obliged to abandon sub-
sequently. But this long delay will have proved advan-
tageous to my friends and correspondents, since they will
now have the book in an improved form, revised, shorn of
redundant rhetoric, and with various additional details.
And, through the enterprise and cordial co-operation of the
Publishers, the illustrative portion of the work has been
carried out even beyond the limits I had assigned to myself
in the text.

With these explanations I now place my work in the
hands of the critic and the reader, trusting that my honest
efforts to satisfy the former, and to supply hitherto obscure
information to the latter, will meet with the approval and
acceptance of both.

W. DELISLE HAY.

London, Oct., 1886.

CONTENTS.

♦♦♦

CHAPTEB

•I. General Ixtrobuction
' II. On the General Features of Fungi

III. On the Discrimination of Fungi

IV. On the Economic Use op Fungi
V. On the Structural Anatomy of Fungi

VI. On the Classification of Fungi
VII. On some Common Species of Eatable Mushrooms .
VIII. A Comprehensive Catalogue of Esculent British Fungi
IX. On the Chemistry and Toxicology of Fungi .
X. A Catalogue of British Poisonous Fungi
XI. On the Cultivation of certain Fungi
XII. A Calendar of the Common Esculent Fungi .
Appendix A. On the Preparation of Fungi for the Table

„ B. Culinary Receipts

„ Notes

Index; giving English and Latin Names ....

Plates.

Tables of Agamcus.

1

4

9

13

18

32

•i-i

.56

117

161

188

197

201

206

227

233

•CHAPTER I.

- General Introduction.

The present work is a treatise upon Fungi ; but it does not extend
to the whole survey of this department of Botany. It is limited
to an examination of what, for want of a better term, we must be
satisfied to call " the larger Fungi." It does not touch upon the
minuter tribes — the moulds, mildews, blights, and multitudinous
small parasites, most of which can only be studied with the aid of
a microscope ^ ; it is confined to forms of appreciable size. The
student will find here the means of attaining a full botanical
knowledge of the orders and genera into which the larger Fungi
have been classified. The amateur naturalist, anxious to acquaint
himself with certain notable species, will here be guided in doing
so. But the main object of the work has been to collect informa-
tion relating to such Fungi as have an economic value, either as
esculents or poisons. The scope of the treatise is confined to Great
Bi'itain.

' The study of Fungi, particularly from an economic point of
view, has been greatly neglected in this country. There exists
a mighty prejudice among Englishmen directed against these
plants, which seems to forbid the intelligent public from taking
any interest in them, or endeavouring to acquire any knowledge
conceniing them. It is a national trait, for no other nation evinces
it. On the contrary, the various peoples of the continent of Eui-ope '
bestow a great deal of attention on Fungi, regarding them in quite 1
a different light from that customary among us.

Notwithstanding pi^ejudice, hoAvever, advancing knowledge has
brought with it some increase of favour as extended to Fungi. A
desire for information is more widely expressed, and the old dis-
like to plants of this class seems to be slowly giving way. The
few English mycologists are increasing in numbers, and more
attention is popularly directed to the subject. During one year,

' 1 Except in the Plates illustrating the Genera.

1 B

2 GENERAL INTRODUCTION,

the author accumulated a vast number of cuttings from news-
papers ou subjects connected with Fungi. They manifested an
inconceivable amount of ignorance, it is true, but it is evident they
may be regarded as evidencing an awakening of popular interest.

' Since Dr. Badham published, in 1847, his famous treatise on
" The Esculent Funguses of England," there have appeared several
works of a similar kind, intended for popular use. But, for the
most part, they have added little to what Dr. Badham had ad-
vanced. English mycologists, among whom shine conspicuous the
names of Berkeley, Cooke, and Worthington Smith, have done
good work in foi'warding the botanical knowledge of Fungi, jiar-
ticularly in the microscopic dejDartments. But chemical investi-
gation and examination into the physiological properties of fungous
principles have been relegated almost entirely to the scientists of
other countries. This domain has had most attraction for the
present writer, and he has gathered into these pages such infor-
mation of the kind as he has been able to collect. It is probably
that part of the study of Fungi likely to be most popular, as being
of most practical service.

■ ■ In this work the designation Mushroom is used in a wide generic
sense. It is intended to express any of the larger Fungi, in con-
tradistinction only to those small though numerous forms that
might similarly be broadly styled Moulds. Taken in this sense,
the word Mushroom is an equivalent for the French Champignon,
or for the Gex'man Pilze and Schwdmme. "We cannot very well
employ the word Fungus in this relation, because that title has a
wider signification.

The classification follows the system propounded by the illus-
trious Swedish botanist Fries, which is now universally adopted.
Some trifling variations have been permitted, which will be re-
ferred to in their place. Details of information have been
gathered from a great variety of soui'ces, and, in the course of a
study necessarily of a practical kind, it may be that the author
will be found to have added something of his own.

Some of the titles used in Mycology have a little etymological
interest. " Fungus " is a word found in Ovid, but seems to have
been the designation of a particular species. "Mushroom" has
been referred to various roots. The most probable seems to be
the Welsh, or old British, maes, a field, and rhum, a knob, from a
combination of which words it is said to have come, being originally
" mushrump," and then " mushx-oom." It is also said to have been

GENEEAL INTRODUCTION. 3

a corruption of moussero7i, a name specifically applied by tlie
French. But it seems to be of older usage, and therefore the first
explanation is the more plausible. The name has always been
very loosely applied in England, centring most about the meadow
plant, that is here almost the only popular edible. "Mould"
conies from a Scandinavian word having the same signification.
The vile and pei"nicious nickname of " toadstool " has not the
derivation ordinarily supposed. It is the Saxon, or old English,
tod, meaning a bunch, cluster, or bush. The word is used by
Coleridge, —

" The ivy tod is heavy with snow."

The second syllable, stool, is readily supplied, the form of most
terrestrial Fungi suggesting it.^ Evidently the word was first
applied to those clusters of Fungi often seen on tree-roots and
elsewhere. The erroneous idea connecting toads with these plants
seems to be due to Spenser, or to some poet before him possibly.
Once received, it became converted into " paddickstool " in the
North, paddick being the name there given to the toad.

Some of the botanical names of Fungi had a classical usage,
though their ancient signification was not the same as their present
application. Thus Galen speaks of " amanita," and Dioscorides o£
" agaricon " ; but we do not know what they intended so to specify.
" Hydnum " is used by Theophrastus apparently to indicate
truffles ; and " tuber " seems to have meant puif -balls. " Boletus,"
on which Martial wrote epigrams, was so well described by Pliny,
that we know the plant thus designated was that now called
Amanita Ctesarea. The name " boletus " has now a very different
use. To conclude, " Mycology," the study of Fungi, has been
formed from the Greek fjiVKrj<;, a word which is presumed to have
been applied to some kinds or kind of mushi'oom.

' * Or it may have the signification in which gardeners apply it, meaning the
suckers and shoots about the root of a plant.

' CHAPTER II.

• On the General Features of Fungi.

The Vegetable Kingdom is naturally divided into two grand
divisions. These are the Phaenogamia, or flowering plants, and
the Cryptogamia, or flowerless plants. The difference between
these two divisions is readily perceived, though it must be said
that the border-line between them is obscure. There are plants
that none but a skilled botanist could certainly determine as
belonging to one side or the other. Belonging to the Pheenogamia
are the trees, slorubs, and various herbs most useful to man. The
second division appears to contain little that is of value to us, and
is therefore less appreciated popularly. But we have now to do
with it.

• The Ci'yptogamia, or flowerless plants, are recognised as form-
ing two comprehensive classes — Acrogens and Thallogens.^ The
technical division is constituted by the characters of the fructifi-
cation. But as this would need elaborate explanation, it will be
enough, in this place, to remark a more simple distinction.

■Acrogens are plants of more or less herbaceous character ; they
possess foliaceous appendages, and exhibit a green tint. In these
respects they approximate to Phasnogams. They comprise the
Ferns, Mosses, Horsetails, Liverworts, etc.

- Thallogens are plants without any foliage ; they are leafless,
and they are rarely of a green tint. They are subdivided into
Algales and Mycetales. The first of these, the Algales, are plants
deriving nutriment fi-om water, in which they are submerged.
Sea-weeds are the tj-pe most readily recognisable. Mycetales
comprise Lichens and Fungi, the main difference between which
is that Lichens derive their nutriment principally from the air,
whereas Fungi draw nourishment chiefly from the substances on
which they grow.

1 Berkeley: Cnjptogamic Botany ■

ON THE GENERAL FEATURES OF FUNGI. 6

'Fungi come between Algae and Lichens. Between the central
forms or types of each class — between Sea-weed, Mushroom, and
Lichen — the difference is obvious enough. But there are forms, as
in the greater divisions of the Vegetable Kingdom, which come so
close to the border of their class that they may easily be taken as
belonging to another. There are Fungi closely approximating to
true Lichens, and others which seem almost Algte.

Fungi, therefore, are flowerless and leafless plants. They never
possess the chlorophyll which produces the ordinary green tints of
other vegetables. They fructify by means of cells separated from
the tip of certain filaments, or produced within the cavity of the
pi-otoplasm. They derive nutriment from the substances on which
they grow. It is their natui^al office to promote chemical change
in organic structures, and to some extent in inorganic matter as
well. They are therefore found accelerating decomposition ; ac-
cording to ignorant belief, springing from it. They help to regu-
late the balance of atmospheric constituents. They are fertilizing
agents, providing nutriment proper for phoenogamous plants.
They serve as food for innumerable insects and larvte. They also
check exuberant growth, appearing in many forms as parasites on
living vegetable and animal structures. Some of them offer highly
nutritious food to men, and others contain essences having medi-
cinal and other properties.

The forms in which Fungi appear are very numerous, enabling
botanists to classify them into a great many orders and genera.
These we shall study in their place. But there is an arbitrary and
unscientific method of subdividing the class, which it will be con-
venient to adopt, in so far as it serves the purposes of this book.
This is to consider all substantial, comparatively large, and fleshy
Fungi as being comprehended under the name of Mushrooms, and
to employ the title of Moulds to cover all minute forms. It is
with the first of these divisions that the present work is con-
cerned.

Moulds comprehend the lai'ger number of species. Over two
thousand British species of them are known. For the most part
they can only be studied under the microscope. The mildew which
comes on articles of food, and is familiar to every one, is seen
under the microscope to be an aggregation of elegant and perfect
plants, infinitesimal in size, but subject to laws of growth as in
higher plants. These minute forms are of infinite variety, and ai-e
grouped into numerous orders and genera. Few among them have

6 ON THE GENERAL FEATURES OF FUNGI.

any economic value. Yet there is Yeast, a minute Fungus of the
class of Moulds. Its pabulum is fermenting, starchy, and sacchar-
ine matter, and its office is to promote the chemical changes known
as fermentation. Then there is Ergot, a minute parasite which
fastens upon the grain of growing rye. This is a drug of wonder-
ful properties, now largely used in medicine. Perhaps others of
these minute kinds may be found equally valuable one of these
days.

The larger kinds of Fungi, which we have consented to call
Mushrooms generally, make themselves prominently apparent to
the most casual observer. At certain seasons they are seen spring-
ing up in gardens and by roadsides, in shrubberies and hedgerows,
in fields and meadows, among moss and fern, in moorlands and
wastes, in woods, copses, plantations, and forests, alike beside the
footprints of men and in the depths of the wilderness. They grow
upon the ground, upon half-buried roots, on trees living, dying,
and dead, on stumps, old posts, dunghills, and amid the debris of
decaying vegetation, as well as in the cornfield, the meadow, or
the flower-bed. They come up singly, or in little groups, or in
rings, or in bunches, clusters, and tufts. Some are of delicate and
membranaceous texture, fragile little things. Others are stout and
flesh-like. Yet others are leathery, corky, fibrous, or woody in
substance.

Among this vast family of plants, belonging to one class, yet
diverse from one another, comprising more than a thousand dis-
tinct species indigenous to these islands, there is but one kind that
Englishraen condescend to regard with favour. All the rest are
lumped together in one sweeping condemnation. They are looked
upon as vegetable vermin, only made to be destroyed. No eye can
see their beauties ; their office is unknown ; their varieties are not
regarded ; they are hardly allowed a place among Nature's lawful
children, but are considered soruething abnormal, worthless, and
inexplicable. By precept and example children are taught from
earliest infancy to despise, loathe, and avoid all kinds of " toad-
stools." The individual who desires to engage in the study of
them must boldly face a good deal of scorn. He is laughed at for
his strange taste among the better classes, and is actually regarded
as a sort of idiot among the lower orders. No fad or hobby is
esteemed so contemptible as that of the " fungus-hunter " or
" toadstool-eater."

This popular sentiment, which we may coin the word " Fungo-

ON THE GENERAL FEATURES OF FUNGI. 7

phobia" to express, is very curious. If it were Iniinan — that is,
universal — one would be inclined to set it down as an instinct, and
to reverence it accordingly. But it is not human — it is merely
British. It is so deep and intense a prejudice that it amounts to a
national superstition. Fungophobia is merely a form of ignorance,
of course ; but its power over the British mind is so immense,
that the mycologist, anxious to impart the knowledge he has
gleaned to others, often meets with scai'cely credence or respect.
The superstition strikes deep. He who would write or lecture
about Fungi can scarce find readers or hearers. The English
scientist investigates every domain of Nature, but leaves this one
coldly alone. The English medical man disdains to inquire into
the chemical constitution of Fungi, and is indilferent to, and un-
knowing of, their relations in regard to medicine, toxicology, diet,
or hygiene. It is surely high time that English intelligence should
rise superior to this peculiar phase of ignorance !

Fungi are a class of plants governed by modifications of the
same laws that control the development of all other vegetables.
The study of them should be approached from a similar point of
view. They ought never, under any circumstances, to be regarded
in one common light. Each species has a separate existence, and
its nature, characteristics, constitution, and inherent properties
may vary very greatly from those of even its nearest congener.
Fungi do not spring up indiscriminately, spontaneously, or uncer-
tainly. Each species obeys fixed laws of growth and development,
and is not transmutable into others. Each species has its own
pfTPticular locality and habitat, and its characteristics are precisely
definable ; nor are these liable to greater variation than is the case
in flowering plants. The species are naturally arranged in larger
and smaller groups, called families, orders, and genera.

The modes by which Fungi are fertilized have yet to be dis-
covered. Some are propagated by means of the mycelium to a
certain extent, but the universal method of reproduction is through
the medium of spores, which correspond to the seeds of flowering
plants. These spores are of infinitesimal size, even in the largest
Fungi, and are generated in inconceivable multitudes by each
plant. They become productive only when they reach their
proper pabulum. The conditions under which they become pro-
ductive have yet to be learnt. These spores are disseminated in
countless myriads by the air, which is ever loaded with them.
Some kinds of Mould, for example, it is almost impossible to

8 ON THE GENERAL FEATURES OF FUNGI.

exclude fi-om their special nidus. Other kinds ai-e apparently dis-
seminated by water, by the sap of plants, by the blood and excreta
of animals, birds, reptiles, or insects, and in yet other ways.

The geogi-aphical distribution of Fungi is not determined by
precisely the same conditions which govern the distribntion of
other plants. To begin with, the Mycology of a gi-eat part of the
world is totally nnexplored. Only a few general remarks can be
hazarded on this head. The temperate and sub-tropical zones
ap]iear to be the most prolific in vai-iety and abundance of species.
Alany Fungi are found almost universally. Othei^ are restricted
to their zone. The least proportion are confined to special loca-
lities. ]!lIigrations seem to be going on. Parasites follow the
migration of their foster-plants. But not only this : independent
forms change their location. Tlie Fungi of North America are
more nearly akin to those of Europe than is the case with other
plants. In fact, America possesses most of the species inhabiting
Europe. Great Britain has generally the same Fungi as the north
of Europe, the peculiar species of countries being very few, My-
cological regions differ according to degrees of humidity and heat.
Forests are more prolific than open plains ; and there is a differ-
ence between forests of Conifera? and those of other trees, in the
Fungi inhabiting them. Some species confine themselves to
limited habitats, and the laws of their migration and diffusion are
yet unknown.

•CHAPTER III.

• On the DlSCRIillNATIOX OF FUXGI.

The first lesson it is necessary to impress upon the student of
Mycology is to adyocate the importance of exercising tlie faculty
of Discrimination. It is peculiarly needful to enforce this upon
English people, because their extraordinary disdain of Fungi makes
them almost unable, at first, to acknowledge the line of demar-
cation between one species and another. The predisposition to
regard Fungi as one collective whole is so strong that it is by
no means easy to eradicate it. And yet the first principles of
Mycology cannot be understood until this is done. It is needful
to supplant it with a comprehension that Fungi consist of a vast
number^ of individual and independent species. Little groups of
these individuals are more or less linked together ; but still each
species preserves independence. There is some characteristic
feature or property which identifies and individualizes each species,
separating it from its nearest congener.

It seems absurd to insist upon this point, which is such an
obvious truism. But the fact is there are many English people
to whose appreciation Fungi appear only in the mass. The idea of
Fungus species is to them hardly a reality. Their conception is
only that of variation among members of one common stock.
They find it difficult to understand the diversity existing among
Fungi, and still more difficult to comprehend the immutability
of species from parent to offspring, and the radical, insuperable,
and everlasting differences between one species and another. To
enable such minds to grasp the full meaning of the word Discrimi-
nation is the object of this chapter.

Those who enter upon the study of Fungi purely as a branch of
Botany will scarcely require to be urged to adopt discriminating
views, for the mode of their investigations necessitates differen-
tiation. It is to persons wishing to acquire some slight and
superficial knowledge of Fungi — what may be termed a popular

10 ON THE DISCEIMINATION OF FUNGI.

knowledge — that "we mtist laj especial stress upoii this feature.
If a right understanding of it be first of all implanted in the mind,
then any one may learn to recognise a few of the notable species
'safely and surely. The simplest rustic finds no difl&culty in appre-
hending the obvious differences between various trees, between
the sundry flowers and pot-herbs of the garden, or between the
weeds of the roadside. Yet people of good intelligence commonly
confuse all Fungi together, not regarding them in the same way
that they do other plants. It is here that the ground must be
cleared to begin with. People must be taught to consider one
species of Fungus as quite a different plant from another, to look
upon Fungi as they do upon the aggregation of plants in a garden,
a field, or a wood, as comprising many different kinds of vegetable,
distinguished from each other by many essential characteinstics,
as well as by mere external shape and colour.

When the economic use of Fungi is the raain object of inquiry,
then Discrimination must be practised most rigorously. It is not
alone necessary that this should be done in order that noxious
plants may not be mistaken for wholesome esculents, but for the
sake of even more refined distinction. There are a great many
species of Fungi which we may use for food, but they have yery
various values. Two species may be equally wholesome, but, in
a culinary sense, or in a gastronomic sense, they may differ as
widely as does an apple from a cabbage. There are multitudes
of diversities among the Fungi that are fit for food. Similarly,
among those kinds which we call collectively " poisonous," there
are all sorts of differences. The noxious principles they contain
respectively have widely different action. The degree of their hurt-
fulness varies. Some are readily freed from their unwholesome
essences, while others retain theirs under all circumstances.

The fact that no proper notion has been popularly entertained
respecting the total dissimilarity of species has led people to ask
if there were not some general rule or test by which edible mush-
rooms could be at once distinguished from noxious ones. To meet
this desire, sundry sets of precepts have been promulgated. Of
them it is sufficient to say that, being based on ignorance, they
are invariably erroneous and delusive. Some of them have been
given, too, on the authority of persons one would have expected
to find better informed. Any principle of selection of an arbitrary
sort can only have a very limited application, and is seldom
Avithout exceptions to it. Among Fungi we must judge of the

ON THE DISCRIMINATION OP FUNGI. 11

suitability to our needs, or otherwise, of each species separately
and alone. The qualities of one must not be confounded with or
estimated by those of another. As is the case in every department
of the Vegetable Kingdom, closely related species will be found,
one of which, if eaten, is wholesome and nutritive, and the other
quite the reverse. It is therefore necessary that, when we regard
Fungi, or indeed any other class of plants, from an alimentary
point of view, we should consider each species as a distinct and
separate entity.

What has been implied by the use of the term Discrimination
will perhaps be now apparent. Whether one wishes to study
Mycology deeply and scientifically, or whether one merely desires
to make acquaintance with a few of the most prominent, common,
and useful Fungi, it is equally necessary to begin by causing the
mind to think of Fungi as a congeries of totally distinct plants,
and not as a mere confusion of forms radically much the same
thing.

The reader who intends to pursue a really thorough study of
Mycology is recommended to master the details set forth hereafter,
particularly as regards the structural anatomy and classification
of Fungi. He may then, after acquiring all the information set
forth in this work, have recourse to others, ^ remembering that
study of this sort can only be efficiently pursued by conjoining
practice to theory. To those, however, who merely wish to acquire
some slight practical acquaintance with common Fungi, modified
advice is offered. They should endeavour to realize the distin-
guishing characters of the chief orders and genera, and should
practise interpreting descriptive terms. Some comj)rehension of
structure is, of course, needful in order to effect this, and the eye
should be accustomed to trace the distinctive characters of difi^erent
species. This will be readily accomplished by an ordinary intelli-
gence, and then the particular plants it is desired to recognise and
make use of may be sought for and easily identified from the
descriptions of them given. If recourse is had to plates or illus-
trations of Fungi, it should be borne in mind that hasty and
superficial comparisons are dangerous. There is no surer way of
identifying a hitherto unknown species than by carefully compar-
ing its several parts with a written scientific description.

• 1 The following English works will be most useful to students : — Berkeley's
Cryptogamic Botany, and Outlines of Fungology, Berkeley and Cooke's Fungi,
Cooke's Handbook of British Fungi, Lindley and Moore's Treasury of Botany,
etc.

12 ON THE DISCRIMINATION OF FUNGI.

It is a strikincr instance of the confused popular notions of
Fungi in England, that hardly any species have or ever had collo-
quial English names. They are all " toadstools," and therefore
are thought unworthy of individual baptism. Can anything more
fully demonstrate the existence of that deep-rooted prejudice
called here " Fungophobia " ? Could anything make more apparent
the need of laying emphasis upon the principle of Discrimination,
as a first step towards popularizing any knowledge of Fungi ?
In the countries of the Continent the greater number of species
have each their particular local names. Even the Redskin of
America and the Maori of New Zealand have specific names for
their common Fungi. Only wo prejudiced Britons have none !

Some attempt has here been made to remedy this want, A

few names have already been in use among amateur mycologists.

Others have been derived from French or German sources, or from

the scientific nomenclature, or have been coined from some dis-

. tinguishing peculiarity.

CHAPTER IV.

On the Economic Use of Fungi.

Fungi are, as a class, of greater economic value than any other of
the Cryptogamia. The chief use of them, however, is alimentary.
The essential principles of one or two have made them useful in
medicine. Of these Ergot is the best example. The value and
utility of Yeast is well known, and an analogous fermenting agent
is found in another Fungus, the so-called " vinegar-plant." Some
kinds have been utilized as dyes. Several of the large Polypores
were formerly much used in the preparation of Amadou, or
" German tinder " ; and their prepared fibrous substance forms
an article like soft leather, which has been used in sundry ways.
Probably chemistry has yet to reveal many fungoid principles that
can be rendered serviceable.

But these uses are trifling compared with the employment of
Fungi as articles of food. A great many species are wholesome,
extremely nutritive, and more or less palatable. Sundry kinds of
the larger Fungi — Mushrooms — have been used among the an-
cients ; and there does not appear to be any nation, civilized or
savage, among whom some species are not recognised articles of
diet. While the gTeater number have been principally made use
of by the peasantry, other kinds have been esteemed as delicacies
by the rich, and some of these have therefore become of com-
mercial importance. Among these latter is the large orange-
yellow Amanita Csesarea, called by the French the Oronge. This
mushroom is greatly esteemed on the Continent at this day.
It was considered the best of dainties by the epicures of imperial
Rome. They imported it from Gaul and Germany, and it is the
only mushroom out of sundry eaten by them of which they have
left us a description we can recognise. Other kinds that were in
use during classic and medieval times cannot now be precisely
identified, since no clear descriptions of them have reached us.

Now-a-days an immense bulk of mushrooms, comprising a

13

14 ON THE ECONOMIC USE OF FUNGI.

great manj different species, is eaten in the various countries of
Europe. In many localities, particularly in forest regions, tlie
peasantry look upon Fungi as furnishing a most important item of
daily food, while the gathering of certain choice sorts for market
affords profitable employment. The titles of " manna of the
poor," "fruits of the earth," etc., as applied to Fungi, have in
such countries no fanciful meaning. They are, at any rate, more
strictly suitable than " food of the gods," -which was how the
ancient Greeks loved to extol their favourite mushrooms.

In England the pasture Pratelles are the only kind of mushroom
popularly and generally considered eatable. All others are sup-
posed to be more or less noxious. Doubtless some readers of this
will be surprised to learn how much wider is the consumption of
Fungi in other countries. In many of the chief cities of the
Continent mushrooms are excisable commodities, and inspectors
are appointed to overlook the market and watch that no dele-
terious species should accidentally be admitted. During recent
years much attention has been paid in England to the cultivation
of a variety of the pasture Pratelle. There is now a considerable
demand for it, and the occupation of growing it for market is very
lucrative. One may hope, from this, that the old prejudice against
other sorts of Fungi will in time be weakened.

Doubtless we have a few more or less ardent mycophagists —
fungus-eaters — scattered about the country, who make use of one
kind and another to a small extent. Foreigners, too, appear to
have introduced a usage of certain species in some localities.
Truffles are, or were, collected about the New Forest ; the Morel
has some friends in Northamptonshii-e, Hertfordshire, and Dur-
ham; the Blewit is favoured in Cambridgeshire; the Oread in
Kent and Sussex; and the so-called Red Truffle in the vicinity
of liath. In excui'sions round London the author has often met
French, Germans, Swiss, and Italians, probably waiters and the
like, out for a holiday, who were filling their handkerchiefs with
fungus dainties to carry home for supper.

Thnjughout the countries of Europe there are upwards of two
hundred species of Fungi commonly used for food in various ways.
Fx-ance, Germany, Austria, and Russia appear to consume them
most abundantly ; then come Italy, Switzerland ; and after them
the remaining countries. The greater number of these edibles
occur in England also, whei-e they are suffered to rot where they
grow year by year.

ON THE ECONOMIC USE OF FUNGI. 15

Going still farther away, we shall find that certain of their
indigenous Fungi are nsed as food by the inhabitants of Siberia,
Persia, Afghanistan, India, Cochin- China, Java, and elsewhere in
Asia. The Japanese and Chinese seem to employ many kinds.
The latter even import a tree-fungus from New Zealand and the
Pacific Islands, to the amount of several thousand pounds' worth
annually. The Australian blacks eat several kinds of Fungi, as
also do the Maori and Polynesian tribes. In Tasmania there
are several species used by settlers, a legacy left them by the
vanished aborigines. Travellers speak of certain mushrooms which
are consumed in Madagascar, South Africa, and again in Central
Africa. The Tierra del Fuegian regards a certain kind of tree-
fungus as one of his staple articles of diet. In South America
some appear to be made use of, and the Europeans who have
peopled the United "States find there many of the esculents they
knew in the old home.

It is therefore evident that Fungi, of one kind or another, are
almost universally accepted as dietary articles. As a fact, the
chemical composition of the flesh of Fungi shows it to be admi-
rably adapted for human food, and indeed to contain the elements
necessary to nutrition in even a higher degree than any other
class of vegetables. More is the pity, then, that English people
should be so fixed in their prejudice against Fungi ! Tons innu-
merable of excellent food are sulfered to waste every year because

of it.

During summer and autumn our parks, pastures, woodlands,
and plantations abound with a profusion of esculent Fungi. The
neglect of this aliment is serious, when we reflect on the poverty
and want surrounding us. Though scarcity of food is less felt
at those seasons than in winter, it may be remarked that this is no
excuse for the national improvidence, since most kinds of edible
mushrooms may be stored by salting, pickling, di-ying, and so
forth. It is also to be noted that there are sundry abundant
kinds of superior excellence and flavour, best suited for the rich
man's table. If these were known, there would soon arise a de-
mand for them, they would become of commercial value, and
would give increased means of livelihood to a good many indi-
viduals.

The fear of being poisoned by eating "toadstools" is a grossly
exaggerated apprehension in this country. It arises chiefly from
the singular popular incapacity for individualizing fungus species.

16 ON THE ECONOMIC USE OF FUNGI.

They are all confounded together in the mind, and are not re-
garded separately, each kind by and for itself, as are other plants.
An ordinary Englishman's only idea of gathering wild Fungi is to
make a heterogeneous collection of everything fungoid that comes
in his way, Put into practice this will obviously result in mis-
takes. Some deleterious plant will be gathered along with
wholesome ones, and a case of poisoning is the result. Then the
doctors will blame, not the stupidity or carelessness of the
gatherer, but the mushrooms indiscriminately, and the local
newspaper will contain a solemn warning against all sorts and
conditions of Fungi.

The fii'st step towards dispelling public ignorance and appre-
hension must evidently be to drive the idea of discrimination into
the public mind. This can be best effected by no longer speaking
of "Fungi" or "Mushrooms" under those general designations,
but by popularizing the use of specific names, such as will be
found in other chapters of this book. When people become able
to familiarize their notions of Fungi with various titles, as they
familiarize trees with particular names, such as beech, elm, oak,
etc., these difficulties and dangers will vanish. The recognition of
the common esculents is easy enough to learn, once the mind has
grappled the idea of discrimination. On the Continent children
are taught to recognise those kinds of Fungi locally appreciated,
and they will select such and such a species, with which they
have become familiar, unhesitatingly from amid a thousand others.
Surely English children are as quick as those of the Black Forest
or Lorraine !

The information offered to the public is not mere speculation,
but Avell-attested fact; it is not the recent discovery of rash
enthusiasts, but the collected evidence of past ages and various
peoples. During the present century systematic botany has been
applied to Fungi, first by Persoon and his followers, afterwards
by Fries and the present school of mycologists. Though much
remains to be discovered, systematic classification enables us to
appreciate and make use of all that we do know. Our acquisitions
of mycological knowledge are no longer confined to haphazard folk-
lore, but can be tabulated and arranged, verified and corrected.

There exists a curious notion whicli has appai^ently helped to
prevent a wider use of Fungi in this countiy. It is that there is
no certainty in the qualities of Fungi ; that a species Avhich is
wholesome eating in one country may, when growing in another,

ON THE ECONOMIC USE OF FUNGI. 17

provide itself with a noxious principle; consequently that we
cannot depend npon the qualities of an English mushroom,
although the identical species may be invariahly wholesome and
good in France. No proof that this is so has ever been produ-
cible. There is only vague and erroneous assertion to back it.
And if it were to be indisputably demonstrated that such change
of character was really true, it could only be set down as a pecu-
liarity of the one species in which it had been observed, and could
not be applied to all kinds indiscriminately. The idea arises from
the lack of discrimination. When Fungi are regarded properly,
each species as a thing by itself, as we should regard an oak, an
apple-tree, and a gooseberry-bush, then such a notion is seen to
be not only without analogy in the Vegetable Kingdom, but also
incompatible with common sense.

Little as English people know about esculent Fungi, that
little is illumination compared with all they know on the subject
of fungus poisons. In that field there is almost total darkness.
But the subject will be treated of in a separate chapter on the
chemistry and toxicology of Fungi, which the author particularly
recommends to the notice of the medical profession.

CHAPTER V.

On the Structural Anatomy of Fungi.

In order to comprehend the classified arrangement of Fangi into
orders and genera, and to enable anyone to understand descriptive
terms, and by the help of them learn how to identify species, it
is necessary to become acquainted with the form and structure of
Fungi, and with that of the several organs and parts of an indi-
vidual fungus. The student is recommended to familiarize him-
self with all varieties of these plants that come in his way, until
he is master of the expositions set forth in this chapter. After
that he will find classification no difficult task.

To denominate terrestrial Fungi " fruits of the earth " is not
altogether fanciful. If we dig up the soil about the base of a
mushroom, or if we examine the structure upon which parasitic
kinds are growing, we shall find what appears to be a quantity of
white mould, or of little delicate threads. This matter is called the
Mycelium, or " spawn," of the plant, and actually constitutes its
vegetative tissue, being thus analogous to the roots, branches, and
foliage of herbaceous plants. From this Mycelium the mushroom
is thrown up, it being the organ which develops the reproductive
cells. The office of a mushroom is therefore analogous to that of
a fruit. In description, however, it is convenient to speak of the
mushroom as if it were the whole plant in itself.

Fungi of different orders possess various features, and are not
all provided with the same parts or organs. The greater number
of mushrooms possess a Hymenophore. This is a cellular or fila-
mentous structure, comprehending the substance of the mush-
room. It may either be borne upon a stem, distinct from it, or
may include the whole apparent bulk of the plant. Upon the
surface of either the whole or a part of the Hymenophore is
spread the Hymenium, which is the fructifying or spore-bearing

organ of the fungus. In the orders Agaricini, Hydnei, Polyporei,

18

ON THE STRUCTURAL ANATOMY OF FUNGI. 19

and a section of the Elvellacei, the Hymenophore is disposed as
a cap or Pileus, the most prominent feature- of the mushroom.
When identifying plants we first note their Habitat, or place of
growth, their Season, or time of appearance, and their Mode of
growth, whether solitary, in groups or rings,, or in tufts or
bundles, etc. These points must not be neglected.. Next, the
Pileus presents itself for examination.

THE PILEUS.

This organ includes the upper surface and substance of the
mushroom. It may either be raised upon a stem, central or
lateral, or may spring directly from the base. In each species
it has distinctive size and shape, colour and appendages, of which
observation must be taken. Certain Fungi divide into branches,
each of which bears a small Pileus. These little caps are called
Pileoli. The exterior appearance of the Pileus in different species
is described by the following terms : —

Ascending, when directed upwards from a lateral stem.
At length, or then, meaning when more mature.
Campanulate or Campaniform, shaped like a bell.
Clammy, surface slightly moist to the touch.
Conchate, shaped like an oyster-shell.
Conical, in form of a cone.

Concave, hollow on surface, margins slightly elevated.
Convex, surface rotund.
Corrugate, surface irregularly crumpled.
Costate, surface somewhat ribbed.
Crisped, curled up from the margins.
Cuspidate, tapering upwards to a sharp point.
Cyathiform, shaped like the bowl of a wint-^-lass.
Delicate, slight and fragile.

Depressed, the centre somewhat sunk irregularly
Dilate, extended from side to side.

Dimidiate, divided into two halves or lobes, usually of unequal
size.

Disc, the central or uppermost flat surface.

Dry, devoid of sensible moisture.

Elastic, regaining shape when pressed and released, springy.

Even, surface having no elevations or depressions.

Expanded, spread open, nearly flat.

20 .ON THE STRUCTUEAL ANATOMY OF FUNGI.

Farinose, covered -with white floury powder.

Fibrillose, covered with fine loose fibres or threads.

Fimbriate, bordered with a fringe.

Flabelliform, shaped like an open fan.

Flaccid, relaxed, wilted.

Fleshy, substantial, but soft like flesh.

Floccose, Flocculose, covered with soft woolly haira which
depend in tufts.

Gibbous, having irregular convexities or swellings.

Glabrous, surface devoid of hair, down, scales, warts, or other
appendages.

Globose, round like a ball, with or without a stem attached.

Glutinous, sui'faco sticky to the touch.

Granular, covered with minute grains.

Hemispherical, the top equally rounded, like half a ball.

Horizontal, level, plane.

Hygrophanous, translucent when wet, opaque when dry.

Imbricate, aj)plied to Pilei overlapping one another, or to scales
on the surface similarly.

Immarginate, Avithout any definite edge.

Irregular, various individuals dissimilar in outline.

Infundibuliform, funnel-sliaped, the centre sunk below the
elevated margins.

Inverted, the common form reversed.

Laciniate, fringed with cracks or fissures in the substance.

Lobed, Lobulate, divided as it were into small rounded pro-
minences.

Moist, surface damp to the touch.

Nodulose, covered with pimples or knots.

Obtuse, rounded, with blunt, thick, convex margin.

Opaque, tinted with a dead colour, not polished or clear.

Orbicular, rounded like a ball, circular.

Ovate, oblong, egg-shaped, broadest at the lower side.

Ovoid, egg-shaped.

Pallid, of an indistinct, watery, or dirty white colour.

Papillate, covered with minute soft tubercles, like a tongue.

Plane, quite flat.

Polished, surface smooth and shiny,

Pruinose, surface covered with a whitish bloom, like grapes, or
as if frosted.

Pulverulent, surface dusty.

ON THE STRUCTURAL ANATOMY OF FUNGI. 21

Pulvinate, cnshion-like, thick and soft.

Radiate, streaks or ribs diverging oyer surface from the centre.

Reniform, kidney- shaped, like a crescent with rounded apices.

Repand, spreading out with an uneven margin.

Resupinate, the upper surface turned downwards by twisting
growth.

Revolute, rolled backwards at the margin, out of the ordinary
direction.

Rigid, firm, stifi^, unyielding.

Rimose, Rimulose, surface broken by chinks and cracks.

Rivulose, surface finely channelled or grooved.

Rounded, rotund, with blunt margin.

Rugose, Rugulose, covered with wrinkled lines, the interspaces
being convex.

Satiny, glossy like satin.

Scabrous, rough to the touch.

Scaly, covered with scales, which are usually fibrous.

Sericeous, Silky, covered with close matted hairs, silky to the
touch.

Sessile, without any stem.

Sinuate, having the margin deeply waved.

Sleek, smooth and glossy on the surface.

Smooth, surface presenting no inequalities ; usually glabrous,
but not necessarily so.

Soft, very tender and yielding to the touch.

Spatulate, shaped like a spoon or spatula.

Squamose, Squamulose, covered with coarse or fine scales.

Squarrose, surface rough, with projecting scales.

Stipitate, provided with a stem.

Sub, a prefix diminishing the force of terms, meaning slightly.

Sulcate, the margin furrowed, indented like the milling of a
coin.

Tesselate, when the surface appears cracked into little squares.

Thin, when of sligbt substance throughout.

Tuberculosa, covered witb little irregular pimples.

Umbilicate, having a slight central depression on the top.

Umbonate, having a slight elevation or boss on the centre of
the upper surface.

Undulate, surface waved and uneven.

Velvety, having the surface like velvet.

Verrucose, surface covered with adherent warts.

22 ON THE STEUCTURAL AIsATOMY OF FUNGI.

Villose, covered with long weak hairs.
Viscid, covered with a sticky exudation.
Wrinkled, surface conti*acted and crumpled.
Zoned, concentric bands of colour on surface.

THE CUTICLE. This is the skin, peel, or external epidermis
of the upper surface of the Pileus. Its aspect is generally
described by sundry of the foregoing terms. It is also spoken o
as being Adherent, or Adnata, when firmly attached to the flesh ;
Separable, when it can readily be pulled off ; and Areolate, when
broken up into little angular spaces.

THE MARGIN. The boi-der or outward edge of the Pileus.
Some terms describing it, not already included among those
previously given, are the following :

Arcuate, arched and curved in outline.

Blunt, thick and rounded.

Broken, jagged and fissured.

Depressed, directed downwards, away from the disc.

Even, of clean and equal outline.

Flanged, turned out flatly, like the brim of a vessel.

Flexuose, of wavy outline.

Grooved, deeply and irregularly furrowed.

Incurved, folded flatly and slightly downwards upon itself.

Involute, rolled tightly in upon itself.

Patent, spreading directly outwards.

Pellucid, clear and translucent.

Pendulous, hanging loosely down.

Plicate, plaited lengthways in little folds.

Pubescent, covered with fine down.

Split, cracked and fissured.

Striate, finely streaked, imperceptibly sulcate.

Tomentose, covered with very evident down.

Waved, irregularly bent in outline.

THE SCALES. These are flattened flakes formed upon the
surface of the Cuticle in some species, and also sometimes covt-i'-
ing the Stem externally. Some terms already given may be used
in describing them ; others are the following :

Concentric, when arranged round the centre of the disc thickly,
becoming large and scattered at the Margin.

ON THE STRUCTUEAL ANATOMY OF FUNGI. 23

Grannlons, when small, like coarse dust.

Fibrillose, when formed of little tufts of hair or down, fibrous.

Fihrilloso-squamose, scaly accretions of fibre. Used in de-
scribing the Mushroom.

Reflexed, when the points of the Scales project a little.

Revolute, when the Scales ai^e strongly curved back, or rolled up
on themselves.

WARTS. These are excrescences covering the Pileus of some
species. Warts are not a part of the Cuticle, though adherent
to it. They are patches of the broken Volva, a sheath which
inclosed the raushroom in an earlier stage. The character of
the Warts helps to indicate different species, particularly among
the important Amanites. Warts are described as being Large,
Small, Mealy, Angular, Scattered, etc., terms which explain
themselves. They are said to be Acute, when pointed on the top ;
Floccose, if of woolly texture ; Fugacious, if easily brushed off,
and if disappearing as the plant attains maturity; or Persistent,
when firmly attached and lasting,

THE STEM.

This feature is present in the majority of pileated species, but
not in all. When there is no distinct Stem, but a mere base, the
plant is termed Snb-sessile. When the Stem is entirely absent, it
is Sessile. The interior of the Stem will be examined when we
come to speak of the mushroom in section. At present we confine
our attention to its external aspects. Its appendages will be con-
sidered immediately afterwards. The varying characters of the
Stem in different species are described by many terms which ex-
plain themselves, such as Hard, Smooth, Bent, etc. ; also by terms
already defined in connection with the Pileus, such as Sq^uamose,
etc. Tei'ms not yet noted are the following :

Attenuate, tapering upwards, or downwards if specifically so
described.

Blunt, Obtuse, base terminating abruptly, neither tapered off
nor enlarged.

Bulbous, having enlarged base. May or may not be attenuate
above.

Canaliculate, traversed by deep channels.

Compressed, flattened or pinched in at some part.

24 ON THE STRUCTURAL ANATOMY OF FUNGI.

Connate, two or more stems united below.

Contorted, much twisted about, irregularly.

Cylindrical, round, implying that the Stem is not compressed
anywhere.

Elongate, lengthened out ; tall, or long.

Equal, of the same thickness throughout, neither attenuate nor
bulbous.

Excentric, not fixed to the centre of the Pileus, but more to one
side.

Filiform, very slender, almost thread-like.

Fleraose, zigzagged ; of wavy outline.

Furfuraceous, covered with scales or particles having the ap-
pearance of bran.

Grooved, somewhat furrowed longitudinally.

Incrassate, swollen ; usually applied to signify a bulbous base.

Lacunose, sui^face pitted with shallow holes.

Lateral, growing horizontally, and attached to one side of
Pileus.

Naked, without any ring or remains of Veil on it.

Oblique, growing in a slanting or lopsided fashion.

Obsolete, wanting in many individuals of the species, or absent
in maturity.

Punctate, covered with spots and dots of colour.

Reticulate, marked like a net, by meshed fibres.

Rooting, having very evident roots or rootlets.

Rufescent, tinged with reddish colouring.

Scrobiculate, surface broken by deep irregular pits.

Strigose, covered with little bristles.

Swollen, Thickened, enlarged at some part of its length.

Twisted, having a spiral tendency in its fibres.

THE RING AND VEIL.

These features must always be noted, or their absence re-
marked. In the earliest stage of development many mushrooms
are invested with the Veil. It is a thin membrane or filamentous
shield, attached to the top of the Pileus or its folded Margin, and
extending to the Stem. It thus forms a covering over the young
Hymenium. In this stage the mushrooms may be styled " but-
tons." As the plant grows and expands, the Veil is broken up.
Fragments remain on the Margin, but in most cases soon disappear.

ON THE STEUCTURAI; ANATOMY OF FUNGI. 25

The part of tlie Veil attached to the Stem now forms a sort of
collar upon it, which is called the Ring. In some species this
disappears as the plant matures, in others it remains. When no
Ring is ever found on the Stem of a species, the Stem is de-
scribed as being Naked ; when there is a Ring, it is Annulate.
Various characters of Veil and Ring are described by terms
readily understood, or that have been sufSciently interpreted in
the previous pages. Others are the following:

Arachnoid, Veil and Ring of woven threads, like spider-web.

Ascending, Veil, when in youth its Stem attachment is below
the level of its Mai-ginal one. In this case the Ring is called
Inferior.

Deflexed, Ring, when drooping or hanging down on the Stem.

Descending, Veil, when in youth its Marginal attachment is
below the level of its Stem insertion. The Ring is then Superior.

Distant, Ring, when much below apex of Stem.

Distinct, Ring, when well marked and fully apparent.

Entire, Ring, when its edge is clean cut, not torn or jagged.

Evanescent, Veil or Ring, when disappearing at a very early
stage.

Fugacious, Veil or " Ring, when liable to disappear before or at
maturity.

High, Ring, when near apex of Stem.

Medial, Ring, when about middle of Stem.

Moveable, Ring, when it can be slipped up and down on the
Stem.

Radiate, Ring, when spread outwards in rays.

Reflexed, Ring, when its edge curls upwards.

Torn, Veil or Ring, when ragged.

Universal, Veil, when it extends over the whole PUeus in in-
fancy.

Woven, Veil and Ring,. when composed of woven fibres.

THE VOLVA.

A limited number of species possess this feature. It is a strong
membrane, stouter than the Veil, and it invests the entire mush-
room in infancy, as the shell of an egg incloses its yolk. The
developing plant eventually bursts the Volva at the top, and rises
out of it, retaining the lower part like a cup about the base of the
Stem, and, in some species, carrying fragments of the Volva at-

26 ON THE STEUCTURAL ANATOMY OF FUNGI.

tached to the Pileus in the form of Wai*ts. The Volva must be
well noted, for, as we shall hereafter see, it is a distinguishing
characteristic of some very important Fungi. The Warts have
already been alluded to. When they are present, the Volva is
termed Imperfect. It is Elongate, when the cup stands high
about the Stem ; Fugacious, when soon disappearing ; Obliterate,
when only a rim on the base of the Stem remains in the developed
plant; and Vaginate, when closely sheathing the base of the
Stem.

THE SECTION".

This is to be effected by cutting with a sharp knife right across
the top of the Pileus, down through the centre of the Stem to
the base, dividing the mushroom into two vertical halves. This
enables us to observe the characters of the Flesh, the interior of
the Stem, and the Hymenium.

THE FLESH. This is the substance of the Pileus. Its vary-
ing character often aids in the identification of species. Its Tint
must be observed, and whether that undergoes any Change by
exposure. It is further desirable to note whether the Flesh is
Thick or Thin, Hard or Soft, Tough or Tender, Dry or Juicy,
Compact or Unsubstantial, Leathery or Brittle, whether in frac-
ture it can be described as Cheesy, Mealy, Membranaceous, "Waxy,
or Translucent. Its odour and taste must also be observed.

INTERIOR OP STEM. Of this it is desirable to note, first,
whether its substance is Confluent or not with that of the Pileus,
or whether it be Heterogeneous from it; that is, whether Pileus
and Stem are evidently of different substance and easily separable.
Second, if Stem and Flesh are confluent, we must observe whether
they are confluent and of Homogeneous substance, or confluent but
of heterogeneous substance. Next, wo shall see if the Stem be
Solid, or if it is Fistulose, that is, containing a hollow* cavity, or if
it is Stuflfed, that is, tilled up with a light pith. Wo must deter-
niine the character of this pith, as to whether it can be described
as lloccose, fibrous, spongy, etc. The section also shows whether
the Stem has any distinct outer coat, and if that is Fibrous, Car-
tilaginous, or otherwise. All these trivial points are of value in
assisting the identification of species for the first time.

ON THE STRUCTURAL ANATOMY OF FUNGI. 27

THE HYMENIUM.

This organ consists of an extremely fine membrane which is
spread over certain parts of a mushroom. Upon its surface there
are developed innumerable quantities of Spores, perceptible only
in the aggregate as impalpable dust. Amoug the larger Fungi
the Hymenium is of great superficies, because it is spread over
a large number of processes. These processes vary in character
in different orders, and -vvill consequently have to be separately
studied. The first with which we have to do are the Gills of the
order Ajjaricini.

O'

GILLS. These are a distinctive characteristic of the order
Agai'icini. They consist of thin, lamellar plates, set vertically
upon the under side of the Pileus, radiating from the Stem to the
Margin. They are really extremely fine prolongations of the
substance of the Pileus, coated throughout by the Hymenium.
The interior substance of Gills is called the Trama. When the
Section has been made we are able to see the flat side of the Gills,
and to note their disposition, which is an important feature in the
identification of species. The Gills are, for the most part, coloured
by the Spores produced upon them, which will be presently ad-
verted to. Their conformation, when seen in the Section of a
mushroom, is described by terms of which the following are those
not yet explained, or generally comprehensible. The end of the
Gills nearest the Stem is called Posterior, or Behind ; that nearest
the Margin is styled Anterior, or In Front; while the part or edge
affixed to the Pileus is looked at inverted and described as Below,
or Beneath, the outside or apparent edge being Above.

Acute, tei'minating in a point at either end.

Adnate, the postei'ior end squarely set and fixed on the Stem.

Adnexed, the posterior end fixed to the Stem, but not squarely
set.

Anastomosed, united one to another by irregular junctures.

Approximate, the posterior end almost adnexed to the Stem.

Arcuate, arched from posterior to anterior.

Ascending, from the Margin to the Stem.

Attenuate, tapered off at either end.

Branched, dividing from the sides ; also styled Furcate, and
Forked.

Broad, wide or deep vertically, as seen on section.

28 ON THE STRUCTURAL ANATOMY OF FUNGI.

Close, packed closely side by side ; also styled Crowded.

Connate, conjoined at tlie posterior end.

Crenulate, the edge incised with rounded notches.

Decnrrent, the posterior end running some distance down the
Stem.

Denticulate, the posterior end having a little tooth or spur.

Deliquescent, melting into liquid as maturity advances.

Distant, wide spaces between the Gills.

Emarginate, Sinuate, having a sudden notch or vertical curve
at the extreme posterior.

Entire, the edge quite devoid of serrature or notch.

Equal, all Gills of the same or nearly the same regular length
from back to front.

Eroded, the edge ragged, as if torn.

Fixed, rigidly adherent on the upper edge.

Free, ending posteriorly at a little distance from the Stem, and
not at all attached to it.

Lanceolate, tapering by a rounded curve vertically at either end.

Linear, narrow, and the upper and lower edges almost parallel.

Moniliform, contracted at intervals in the length.

Narrow, of very slight vertical width.

Obtuse, rounded off at either end, vertically ; also Rounded.

Pointed, either end finishing in a point.

Projecting, the anterior end jutting out beyond the Margin.

Remote, terminating behind some distance from the Stem.

Rugulose, the sides wrinkled.

Serrate, Serrulate, the edge more or less finely and sharply
notched or toothed in its length.

Simple, not brajiched, divided, or connected together.

Straight, the edge plane and even.

Truncate, terminating abruptly and squarely at either end.

Unequal, short imperfect Gills interspersed among the others.
The common condition.

Venate, Veined, intersected by swollen wrinkles or veins, below
and on the sides.

Ventricose, vertically widened or bellied out in the middle,
before, or belli nd.

TUBES. Mushrooms of the order Polyporei have Tubes in
place of Gills, which are vertically set upon the under side of
the Pileus. Their superficial orifices, when seen on inverting the

ON THE STRUCTURAL ANATOMY OF FUNGI. 29

plant, are styled Pores. The Tubes are displayed on section.
They are coated internally by the Hymenium. The external
colour of the Pores is often different from that of the Tubes
internally, and is to be observed carefully. It will be necessary,
for the purpose of differentiating species, to note the disposition
and character of the Tubes, as seen on section. They may be
Angular or Cylindrical and Kounded, densely packed together and
Numerous, Short or Shallow, Long or Elongate, comparatively
Large in diameter or Minute, of nearly Equal length or of Ir-
regular length. Special descinptive terms are the following :

Adnate, Tubes nearest the Stem attached to it in their whole
length.

Alveolate, Pores looking like honeycomb.

Compound, Tubes running into one another. The reverse con-
dition is called Simple.

Decurrent, Tubes coursing some way down the Stem.

Depressed, surface of Pores sunk inwards in places.

Even, not curved in their length.

Free, no Tubes attached to the Stem.

Remote, Tubes a little apart from the Stem.

Sinuate, Wavy, Tubes undulating in their length.

Torn, Pores rough and jagged superficially.

SPINES. These characterize the order Hydnei. They are
numerous little prickles, teeth, or needles, set on the under side
of the Pileus or of the Pileoli. They are covered with the Hyme-
nium, and fulfil the same function as Gills, or Tubes. It is need-
ful to observe their colour, whether Long or Short, Fixed or easily
Detached, Acuminated or Blunt at the tips, etc.

SPORES. These ai-e the fructifying agents of mushrooms,
and are produced upon and disengaged from the whole surface of
the Hymenium. To the eye they are only perceptible as fine dust.
Under the microscope they are seen to consist of minute bodies,
whose form varies in every species. By the microscopic investi-
gation of Spores, therefore, it is possible to identify species when
all other means fail. And as Spores generally are unaffected by
circumstances which destroy the structure of the plant producing
them, such as decay, digestion in the stomach, cooking, and so on,
it is evident that the microscope supplies a test that might be of
importance sometimes.

30 ON THE STHUCTURAL ANATOMY OF FUNGI.

The colour of the Spore-dust will be seen hereafter to be a
valuable aid in establishing the species of Agaricus. The tint
of the Hjmcnium is usually the same as that of the Spores, in
maturity ; but it is not invariably so by any means. To deter-
mine the tint of Spore-dust, therefore, we remove the Stem of the
mushroom, and place it, Gills downward, on a sheet of clean
paper. It is then to be covered with a glass or cup and left un-
touched for a night or so. On removal, the Spore-dust will be
found deposited on the paper. Dry and mature specimens give
the best results.

PILEATED BUT NON-SPORIFEROUS FORMS.

The ]\Iorels and Helvels, and others of the order Elvellacei,
together with some of the Phalloidei, possess a Pileus and Stem,
but are otherwise different from the forms already spoken of. In
these the Pileus is not expanding, but rests on the Stem like a
close-fitting hood or mitre. Both Pileus and Stem, are usually
much corrugated, but are describable by terms already given.
The Hymenium is, in these species, spread over the external sur
face of the Pileus. The Spores produced on it are not, however,
free. They are contained in cells, called Asci, are termed Spori-
dia, and cannot be examined without the microscope (PI. XLIX.).
Their mode of disengagement is mostly through the putrefaction
or deliquescence of the plant.

NON-PILEATED TYPES.

"We must now pass to forms of Fungi whicli are not provided
with a Pileus, of which there are several types.

PEZIZA. This a large genus of the order Elvellacei. The
general form is that of a shallow, stem-less cup. Some are large,
others minute, some terrestrial, others parasitic. A few have a
short base, almost a Stem, and they are convolved into various
shapes, as of a horn, a trumpet, a snail-shell, an ear, etc. For
merely structural definition we may include with them some
species, as Bulgaria, Craterellus, etc., which belong to different
orders. All these are to be examined with reference to their
habitat, size, colour, and appearance on external and internal sur-
faces. We shall also find, on section, what the character of the

ON THE STRUCTUEAIi ANATOMY OF FUNGI. 31

flesh, may be. The Hymenium covers the interior of the cup, and
is usually of brighter tint than the outside surface. The Spores
are not free. Descriptive terms as already explained can be
applied to these mushrooms.

CLAVARIEI. These are mostly nothing but Stems. They
consist of solid fleshy masses of branches and branchlets, or are
Simple, that is without branches, merely little fingers or clubs.
Most are terrestrial, some are small, mere little filaments ; others
are of considerable bulk. A few grow solitary, others in clumps.
Tints vary. The Hymenium covers the surface. A few fresh
terms, not hitherto explained, will be used in describing these
species, and are also applicable to certain Hydnums and Poly-
pores.

Bundled, many stems bunched together.

Dichotomous, the branchlets in equal pairs.

Divaricate, straggling, spread about irregularly.

Fusiform, spindled, twisted, with tapered ends.

Laciniate, split into a sort of fringe.

Ligulate, the ends flattened like a strap.

Obovate, ovate but inverted.

Petaloid, like the petals of a flower.

PUFF-BALLS AND TUBERS. These are globose bodies;
the former grow above ground, the latter are subterranean.
The colours are various shades of white, yellow, brown, and black.
The outside bark or rind, the Peridium, must be examined to note
its peculiarities. Some kinds have one or more inner coats. On
section the character of the internal substance, or Capillitium, will
be seen. Puff-balls have a homogeneous flesh until arriving at
maturity, when the substance develops into a mass of dust
(Spores), which are ejected by the top of the Peridium bursting.
Terms already given will be used in describing these forms.

AMORPHOUS TYPES. Of these we shall have occasion to
notice principally the Tremellini. They are shapeless, jelly-like
bodies, mostly parasitic. Habitat, colour, and other particulars
have to be observed.

After this explanation of the typical forms of Mushrooms, that
is, of such Fungi as come within the scope of this work, we may
now go on to the Classification of them.

CHAPTER VI.

On the Classification op Fungi.

All Fungi belong to one or other of two grand Divisions ; namely,
Sporifera, in which the Spores are developed naked ; and Spori-
diifera, in which the fructifying agents are inclosed in cells, and
called for distinction's sake Sporidia. The first of these Divisions
is arranged into four Families, the latter into two. The six
Families are the following :

Hynienomycetes, having an exposed or naked Hymenium, as in
Asraricini.

Gasteromycetes, having an inclosed Hymenium, as in Pu£F-balls.

Coniomycetes, having little or no Mycelium, and Spores forming
a dusty or gelatinous mass.

Hyphomycetes, consisting of sporiferous threads.

Ascomycetes, Sporidia developed on an exposed Hymenium.

Physomycetes, Sporidia developed on threads.

We shall only find Mushrooms contained in the Hymenomy-
cetes, Gasteromycetes, and Ascomycetes ; therefore the remaining
three Families need not engage our attention further at present,
as they are outside the domain considered in this book.

EYMENOMYCETES.

This Family contains six orders, characterized respectively as
under :

The Order Agaricini, Hymenium spread upon Gills.
„ Polyporei, Hymenium lining Tubes.

Hydnei, Hymenium spread over Spines, Teeth, or

Tubercles.
Auricularini, Hymenium spread over an Even sur-
face, usually inferior, and confluent with Hy-
mcnophorc.
Clavariei, Hymenium spread over vertical stipes and

stipules.
Tremellini, Hymenium covering an amorphous gela-
tinous structure.

32

>> >>

ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF FUNGI. 33

THE GENERA OF AGAEICINI.

These are nineteen in number, and will be described severally as
follows :

I. AGARICUS. (PI. I. fig. 1, 2, 3.) Fleshy plants, putrefying
in age, not reviving after being dried ; not deliquescing ; not
coriaceous nor woody. Gills membranaceous, persistent, with.
acute edge, their surfaces separable, the trama filamentous and
derived from the flesh. Some four hundred and fifty species
are recorded as occurring in Great Britain.^ Of these about
eighty are edible, and some thirty are more or less poisonous.
The Genus is divided iuto a number of Sub-genera, as under.
The first distinction to be noted is the colour of the Spores. It
is referable to one or other of five groups. White, Pink, Brown,
Purple, or Black. This definition must be primarily attended to,
as the Sub-genera are linked together otherwise by particulars
of form. They will be taken in the order of their general cor-
respondence of habit, the bracketed letters prefixed indicating
that relationship, the bracketed colour after the name of each.
Sub-genus being that of the Spores. (See the Tables illustrating
the Subgenera of Agaricus.)

(a.) Amanita (White). Terrestrial. Large. Pileus and Stem
distinct. Possessing a Volva. Pileus bearing warts. Most species
bear a Ring. Gills free.

(a.) Volvaria (Pink). Terrestrial, or parasitic. Pileus and
Stem distinct. Possessing a Volva. Pileus scarcely, or not, verru-
cose. Gills free, soft, moist.

(b.) Lepiota (White). Terrestrial. Large. Pileus and Stem dis-
tinct. Bearing a Ring. Pileus scaly or shaggy; tall and expand-
ing. Gills free, or remote.

(6.) Chamseota (Pink). Terrestrial. Pileus and Stem distinct.
Stem hollow, and annulate. Pileus fleshy. Gills free.

(&.) Psalliota (Purple). Terrestrial. Large. Pileus and Stem
distinct. Annulate. Veil thick, fibrous or silky. Gills free, rounded
behind.

(c.) Pluteus (Pink). Mostly parasitic. Pileus and Stem distinct.
No Ring. Gills free, crowded, soft and cohering.

(c.) Pilosace (Purple). Pileus and Stem distinct. Ringless,
Gills free. No British species.

(d.) Armillaria (White). Parasitic and terrestrial. Pileus and
^ According to Cooke, in the Handbook of British Fungi.

D

34 ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF FUNGI.

Stem confluent and homogeneons, latter fleshy. Annnlate. Veil
partial. Gills adnata, or decurrent.

(d.) Fholiota (Brown). Mostly parasitic. Large. Pileus and
Stem, confluent and homogeneous. With a Ring. Veil distinct
and Avoven. Pileus mealy, spotted, or rough. Stem central.
Grills free.

(d.) Stropharia (Purple). Terrestrial or pai^sitic. Stem con-
fluent and homogeneous with Pileus. Veil viscid or scaly, ring-
shaped on Stem. Gills adnata.

(e.) Tricholoma (White). Ten-estrial. Stem naked, confluent,
and homogeneous with Pileus. Gills sinuate behind.

(e.) Entoloma (Pink). Ten^estrial. Stem naked, confluent,
and homogeneous with Pileus. Usually rather thin and brittle.
Gills sinuate, adnate, or adnexed.

(e.) Heheloma (Brown). Terrestrial. Gregarious. Stem and
Pileus confluent and homogeneous. Rinjrless. Gills adnate and
sinuate.

(e.) Hypholoma (Purple). Parasitic, Gregarious. Stem and
Pileus confluent and homogeneous. Obscurely annulate. Veil
adhering to margin. Gills adnexed or adnate.

(e.) Panseolns (Black). On dung. Stem and Pileus confluent
and homogeneous. Stem naked, or obscurely annulate. Margin
projecting. Pileus not striate. Gills not decurrent nor deli-
quescent.

(/.) Clitocybe (White). Terrestrial. Pileus and Stem con-
fluent and homogeneous. Ringless. Pileus at length depressed.
Gills decurrent.

(/.) Clitopilus (Pink). Terrestrial. Pileus and Stem confluent
and homogeneous. Ringless. Pilous pruinose. Gills decurrent.

(/.) Flammula (Brown). Parasitic or terrestrial. Pileus and
Stem confluent and homogeneous. Veil filamentous. Annulate.
Gills adnate or decurrent.

(g.) Pleurotus (Wliite). Parasitic. Stem absent, or lateral,
confluent and homogeneous with Pileus. Gills sinuate, denticu-
late, or decurrent.

(g.) Claudopus (Pink). Parasitic. Stem absent, or latcml,
confluent and homogeneous with Pileus. Gills sinuate, decurrent.

(gr.) Crepidotus (Brown). Parasitic. Stem absent, or lateral,
confluent and homogeneous with Pileus. Pileus excentric, resu-
pinate. Flesh soft. Gills various.

(h.) Collybia (White). Mostly parasitic. Tough. Enduring.

ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF FUNGI. 35

Stem cartilaginous, confluent with Pileus, but heterogeneous from
it. Ringless. Gills adnexed.

(h.) Leptonia (Pink). Terrestrial. Small. Stem hollow,
cartilaginous, confluent with Pileus but heterogeneous in struc-
ture. Disc umbilicate. Gills denticulate.

(h.) Naucoria (Brown). Terrestrial or parasitic. Small. Stem
cartilaginous, confluent but heterogeneous from Pileus. Veil
marginal. Ringless. Margin incurved. Gills adnate.

(h.) Psilocyhe (Purple). Terrestrial. Gregarious. Stem car-
tilaginous, confluent but heterogeneous from Pileus. Ringless.
Margin incurved. Gills adnate, emarginate or ventricose.

(k.) Mycena (White). Mostly parasitic. Small. Stem hollow,
cartilaginous, confluent but heterogeneous from Pileus. Pileus
umbonate. Margin straight. Gills sinuate.

(k.) Nolanea (Pink), Terrestrial. Small. Stem more or less
hollow, cartilaginous, confluent but heterogeneous from Pileus.
Pileus papillose, straight. Gills adnexed.

(k.) Galera (Brown). Terrestrial. Small. Stem hollow, car-
tilaginous, confluent but heterogeneous from Pileus. Margin
straight. Gills adnate, or denticulate.

(k.) Psathyra (Purple). Terrestrial and parasitic. Small.
Stem cartilaginous, confluent but heterogeneous from Pileus, naked
and hollow. Margin straight. Gills adnate.

(k.) Psathyrella (Black). Terrestrial. Small. Stem cartila-
ginous, confluent but heterogeneous from Pileus. Pileus striate.
Margin straight, not projected. Gills adnexed, or free.

(Z.) Omphalia (White). Parasitic. Small. Stem cartilaginous,
confluent but heterogeneous from Pileus, and fistulose. Gills
decurrent.

(I.) Eccilia (Pink). Terrestrial. Small. Stem hollow and
cartilaginous, confluent but heterogeneous from Pileus. Margin
incurved. Gills decurrent.

(Z.) Tubaria (Brown). Parasitic. Small. Stem hollow and
cartilaginous, confluent but heterogeneous from Pileus. Margin
incurved. Gills decurrent.

(Z.) Deconica (Purple). Parasitic on dung. Small. Stem
hollow, naked, cartilaginous, confluent but heterogeneous from
Pileus. Veil marginal. Margin straight. Gills decurrent.

II. COPEINUS (Black). On dung and rank soil. Large.
Fleshy but fragile. Rapid in growth. Gills deliquescing. Pileus
mostly conical. (PI. I. fig. 5, 6.)

36 ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF FUNGI.

III. BOLBITIUS (Pink). Ten-estrial. Small. Ephemeral. Pileus
mostly .■..iii-al. (nils moist, becoming powdery. (PI. III. % !•)

IV. CORTINARIUS (Rust- col our). (PI. II.) Terrestrial. Large
and small. Veil arachnoid, very distinctive. Divided into six Sub-
genera, as follows :

Phlegmacium. Pileus having continuous pellicle, viscid when

moist. Veil and Stem dry.

Myxacium. Pileus glutinous. Veil and Stem viscid, or polished

AvllCU (ll'V.

luoloma. Large and handsome. Pileus fleshy, subcompact,
dry, silky. Stem bulbous.

Dermocybo. Pileus thin, dry, not hygrophanous, downy and
then glabrous. Stem thin, not bulbous, (jills changeable in
colour.

Telamoiiia. 'Mostly large. Pileus moist, hygrophanous. Stem
annulate and woolly.

Hygrocybe. Pileus thin, glabrous, hygrophanous, not viscid.
Cuticle not lacerate. Stem rigid, cartilaginous, naked, smooth.

V. LEPISTAi (Pallid). Margin involute. Terrestrial. Gills
decnrrcnt. ])crsistc>nt. Trama horny. Large. (PL III. fig. 3.)

VI. PAXILLUS (Brown). Terrestrial and parasitic. Whole
plant ferruginous. Margin involute. Stem and flesh confluent.
Gills tough, soft, without trama, decurrent. (PI. III. fig. 2.)

VII. HYGROPHORUS (White). Often brilliantly coloured.
Terrestrial. Irregular conical habit. Pileus becoming waxy and
hygroj)hanous, and becoming detached from granular trama. Gills
sharp-edged. (V]. Til. fig. 4.)

VIII. GOMPHIDIUS (Green-grey, then black). Terrestrial.
Habit peg-shaped, thick. Stem and flesh confluent. Veil uni-
versal, glutinous. Gills soft, mucilaginous, decurrent. (PI. III.

tig- ^O

IX. LACTARIUS (White, and pale yellow). Terrestrial. Stem

without l>iirk, nuked, fleshy, blunt. Substance not fibrous. Gills
unc(pnil, sub-decurrent, exuding milky juice. (PI. IV. fig. 1.)

X. RUSSULA (White, and pale yellow). Terrestrial. No ved.
Stem stout, blunt, polished, spongy. Pileus expanding upwards.
Gills equal, rigid, brittle, juiceless. (PI. IV. fig. 2.)

XI. CANTHARELLUS (White). Terrestrial mostly. No veil.

' Included in Taxillus by Frios. Separated by W. G. Smith.

ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF FUNGI. 37

Stem and flesli confluent. Habit irregular. Gills decurrent,
folded, thick, swollen, bi-anched. Trama floccose. (PI. IV. fig. 3.)

XII. NYCTALIS (White). Parasitic on some dead Agarics.
Small. Veil universal, floccose, pruinose. Pileus fleshy, pulveru-
lent, confluent with Stem. Gills broad, thick, juicy. (PI. IV.
fig. 4.)

XIII. MARASMIUS (White). Parasitic or terrestrial. Small
and slender. Tough. Wither with di-ought and revive with
moisture. Not putrefying. Gills tough, thick, distant, confluent
below, adnexed. (PI. I. fig. 4 ; IV. fig. 5.)

XIV. LENTINUS (White). Mostly parasitic. Pileus fleshy,
tongh, hard when dry. Stem absent, or confluent, hard. Gills
tough, simple, thin, acute-edged, denticulate, without trama. (PI.
IV. fig. 6.)

XV. PANUS (White). Parasitic. Pileus lateral, or unequal-
sided, tough, drying up in drought and reviving in rain. Stem
confluent. Gills thin, tough, entire, acute-edged, with floccose
trama. (PI. V. fig. 1.)

XVI. XEEOTUS (White). In peat. Pileus membranaceous.
Stem confluent. Gills dichotomous, sub-decurrent, tough, obtuse
edge. (PI. V. fig. 2.)

XVII. TROGIA (White). Parasitic. Small. Pileus cup-
shaped, sessile, soft, dry, flaccid. Gills folded, forked, crisped.
(PI. V. fig. 4.)

XVIII. SCHIZOPHYLLUM (White). Parasitic. Pileus sessile,
not fleshy, dry. Gills tough, branched, edges split and revolute,
with downy pellicle above. (PI. V. fig. 5.)

XIX. LENZITES (White). Parasitic. Pileus hard, corky,
sessile, dimidiate. Gills hard, branched, anastomosing, long-lived.
(PL V. fig. 3.)

THE GENERA OP POLYPOREI.

There are eight Genera in this Order, characterized respectively
IS follows :

I. BOLETUS. Terrestrial. Fleshy. Pileus circular, pulvinate.
Stem central. Tubes separating from Pileus and from each other.
No trama. (PI. VI. fig. 1.)

II. STROBILOMYCES. Terrestrial. Tough. Pileus scaly.
Tubes adherent and coherent. No trama. (PI. VI. fig. 2.)

III. POLYPORUS. Mostly parasitic. Pileus amorphous, often
very large. Sessile, or with short lateral stem. Tubes insepar-

38 ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF FUNGI.

able. Tmma between tubes, which is dissimilar from the flesh.

(IM. VI. ficr. 3, 4.)

IV. TRAMETES. Parasitic. Corky or woody. Sessile.
Dimidiate. Tubes concrete Avith Pileus, and the trama homo-
geneous with substance. (PI. VI. fig. 5, 6.)

V. D.S]DALEA. Parasitic. Woody. Sessile. Trama con-
tinuous with substance. Tubes irregular, labyi'inthiform. (PI.
VII. fig. 4.)

VI. MERULIUS. Parasitic. Structure expanded, resnpinate,
wa.\y. Tubes incomplete, no more than shallow, winding folds.
(PI. VII. fig. 1.)

VII. POROTHELIUM. Parasitic. Eesupinate. Membrana-
ceous. Hymenium papillose, at length becoming obscurely
tubular. (PI. VII. fig. 3.)

VIII. FISTULINA. Parasitic on oaks. Fleshy, juicy, soft,
and large. Sessile. Hymenium inferior, at first papillose, then
tubular. (PI. VII. fig. 2.)

THE GENERA OF HYDNEI.

To this Order belong seven Genera, distinguished as under.
(PI. VIII.)

J. HYDNUM. Terrestrial and parasitic. Hymenium inferior,
covering awl-shaped Spines, which are distinct at the base.
Plant mostly fleshy. Central-stemmed, lobed, or branched.

II. SISTOTREMA. Terrestrial. Spines irregular, somewhat
waxy, jagged, tooth- like, distinct and separable. Plant fleshy or
membranaceous.

I IF. IRPEX. Parasitic. Tooth-like Spines, disposed in rows,
and concrcic with tlie Pileus. Plant corky, almost woody.

IV. RADULUM. Parasitic. Hymenium covering waxy elon-
g'atcd IuImicIcs.

V. PHLEBIA. Parasitic. Resnpinate. Soft. Gelatinous.
Hymenium spread over waxy, crest-like wrinkles.

\'l. GRANDINIA. Parasitic. Soft, spreading, incrusting.
Hymenium covering waxy, rounded, crowded gi'anules.

VII. ODONTIA. Parasitic. Fibrous mycelioid plants. Hy-
menium covering crested, papillose, or spiny warts.

THE gi':nera of AURICULARINI.

To this Order belong nine Genera, distinguished as follows.
(PI. IX., X.)

ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF FUNGI. 39

I. CRATEEELLUS. Terrestrial. Fleshy, becoming putrescent.
Hymenium distinct, skin-like, smooth, even, or rugose. Pileus
and Stem continuous.

II. THELEPHORA. Terrestrial and parasitic. Pileus fibrous,
destitute of cuticle, tough. Hymenium tough and fleshy, striate
or papillate, becoming rigid, at last flocculent.

III. STEREUM. Parasitic. Pileus with cuticle. Hymenium
tough, thick, concrete with Pileus, naked, not beset with bristles.

IV. HYMENOCILffiTE. Parasitic. Dry and leathery plants.
Hymenium even, and beset with short, stiff bristles.

y. AURICULARIA. Parasitic. Hymenium spread upon
distant, reticulate folds, and becoming gelatinous in wet.

VI. CORTICIUM. Parasitic. Hymenium fleshy, even, swollen
in wet, collapsed in dry weather. Surface often rimose.

VII. CYPHELLA. Parasitic. Minute. Cup-shaped. Sub-
membranaceous. Hymenium inferior.

VIII. SOLENIA. Parasitic. Minute, Tubular cups, with
narrowed mouth.

IX. KNEIFFIA. Parasitic. Soft and fleshy, collapsing and
flocculent when dry. Hymenium rough with little bunches of
stiff bristles.

THE GENERA OF CLAV ARIEL

To this Order belong five Genera, distinguished as below. (PI.
XL)

I. SPARASSIS. Terrestrial. Fleshy, frondose, laciniate.
Rather large.

II. CLAVARIA. Terrestrial. Simple or frondose. Stem in-
distinct. Fleshy. Hymenium dry.

III. CALOCERA. Parasitic. Small. Cartilaginous when moist.
Horny when dry. Hymenium viscid.

IV. TYPHULA. Parasitic. Minute. Filiform. Stem and
club distinct. Hymenium waxy.

V. PISTILLARIA. Parasitic. Minute. Stem and Club
distinct. Waxy, then homy. Cellular or fibrous.

THE GENERA OF TREMELLINI.

This Order contains eight Genera, particularized as follows.
Like some of the preceding Genera, however, which have been
described as minute, there are several of the Tremellini that
can scarcely be designated Mushrooms, but should belong to the
microscopic list. (PI. XII.)

40 ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF FUNGI.

I. TKEMELLA. J^Iostly parasitic. Gelatinous, tremulous,
immar^riiiati', lobate. Hjmenium universal.

II. EXIDIA. Parasitic. Ti-emulous. Mai-gined. Hymenium
superior and pranular.

III. HIRNEOLA. Parasitic. Gelatinous when wet, horny
when di-y. Cup or ear-shaped. Hymenium wrinkled. Outer
surface velvety. Large.

IV. N.ffiMATELIA. Parasitic. Solid nucleus covered witli
gelatinous snb.'^fance, upon wliich Hymenium is universal.

V. DACRYMYCES. Parasitic. Minute. Homogeneous.
Gelatinous. Arranged in chain-like rows.

VI. APYRENIUK Parasitic. Minute. Gelatinous shell,
involving a floccose and hollow intei-ior. Hymenium smooth,
collapsing.

VII. HYMENULA. Parasitic. Minute. Effused, thin, spotlike.

VIII. DITIOLA. Panisitic. Stem supporting patella. Hy-
mcuium on disc.

GASTEBOMYCETES.

This Family comprehends five orders, viz. —

Hypogaei. Subterraneous. Spores free. Hymenium perma-
nent, not becoming dusty, or liquescent.

Phalloidei. Terrestrial. With Pileus and Stem, or Receptacle.
Pos.sessing a Volva. Hymenium deliquescent.

Nidulai'iacei. Peridium containing seveiul rounded or flattened
bodies, on which the Spores ai*e produced.

Trichogastres. Terrestrial. Peridium inclosing a cellular sub-
stance which eventually breaks up into a dusty mass of spores
and threads.

Myxogastres. Mostly parasitic. Gelatinous or pulpy at first,
then Peridium filled with a mass of dusty spores and threads.

Nidulariaeei and Myxogasti-es need not occupy us further. In
the first the Genera contain oidy minute species, and in the second
mostly 80. Genera of Myxogastres containing somewhat larger
forms afford notliing coming within the range of this work, and
may therefore be passed over.

THE GENERA OF IIYPOG^T.

The Genera contained in this Order are six in number. Tliev

ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF FUNGI. 41

are all particularized below, though only two possess species of
the slightest economic value. (PI. XTII.)

I. MELANOGASTER. Globose. Peridium adhering to fibres,
which wander over its surface. Cells pulpy at fii'st.

II. RHIZOPOGON. Peridium traversed and adherent to
creeping fibres. Cells empty at first.

III. HYDNANGIUM. Fleshy. Small. Peridium thin. No
base. Cells empty at first.

IV. HYMENOGASTER. Globose. Fleshy or soft. Peridium
running down into an absorbing base. Cells empty at first.

V. OCTAVIANA. Small. Cottony. Peridium running into
sterile base. Cells empty at first.

VI. HYSTERANGIUM. Peridium separable. Substance
glutinous. Cells empty at first.

THE GENERA OF PHALLOIDEL

In this Order are three Genera, described as follows. (PI. XIV.
fig. 1, 2, 3.)

I. PHALLUS. Pileo-stipitate. Pileus hood-shaped, reticulate,
free all round, perforate at apex.

II. CYNOPHALLUS. Pileo-stipitate. Pileus hood-shaped,
smooth, adnate to Stem, not perforate.

III. CLATHRUS. Consisting of a Receptable, forming a
globular lattice-work, or net, the branches of "which are of
cellular structure.

THE GENERA OF TRICHOGASTRES.

This is the Order in which the various Puff-balls and their
immediate kindred are comprised. There are eight Genera, as
follows. (PI. XIV., XV.)

I. BATARREA. A pileiform receptacle, carried on a Stem,
which is mucilaginoQS Avithin. The young plant inclosed in a
universal Volva.

II. TULOSTOISIA. A globose receptacle, carried on a Stem,
"which is pithy within. Peridium thin, and separating.

III. BOVISTA. Globose. Peridium thin, papery, persistent.
Outer coat shelling off. No sterile base visible on section.

IV. LYCOPERDON. Globose or pear-shaped. Peridium thin,
soft, becoming flaccid or rupturing at length on the top. Bark
persistent or -warty. With sterile base.

V. SCLERODERMA. Globose. Peridium firm, with innate

42 ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF FUNGI.

bark. Capillitium (interior substance) dark, veined by flocci
adherent to ]\M-i(linm.

VI. POLYSACCUM. Pear-shaped. Peridium rigid, inclosing
cells filled with minute rounded bodies.

VII. CENOCOCCUM. Small. Peridium black, naked, even-
tually hollow.

VIII. GEASTER. Globose. Double Peridium, of which the
outer one splits and expands in stellate lobes.

ASC02IYCETES.

This is the only one of the two sporidiiferous Families which
contains Fungi that can be considered as what we have concluded
to term Mushrooms. The arbitrariness of this designation is here
manifested ; for, though there are six Orders in the Family, we can
only select two, and of their Genera only a few, as comprising
]ilants of the kind so entitled. The two mushroom-containing
Orders are : —

Tuberacei : Subterranean. Hymenium waved and sinuate,
often (•onij)]icated and closely packed.

Elvellacei : Fleshy, waxy, or gelatinous. Hymenium exposed.

It will be remembered that, in this Family, the Sporidia are
contained in minute cells, called Asci, and are not appreciable to
the naked eye.

THE GENERA OF TUBERACET.

There are eleven Genera in this Order, but only two of them
come within our range, and are pai'ticularized as follows. (PI. L.
and LT.)

I. TUBER. Peridium rough, warty, tubercled, rarely smooth.
Xo defiiiifo base. Substance marbled.

II. ELAPHOMYCES. Globose. Peridium hard and thick,
Tiapilhitc, or granuhito. Substance soft and juicy in youth, dusty
in age.

THE GENERA OF ELVELLACEI.

In this Order are twenty-two Genera, of which we shall select
ten for particularization as under. (PI. XLIX.)

I. MORCHELLA. Terrestrial. Pileo-stipitato. Large. Pileus
impcrvions in the centre, deeply folded and pitted.

H. HELVELLA. Terrestrial. Large. Pileo-stipitate. Pileus
having free margins, droojjing irregularly. Hymenium even.

ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF FUNGI. 43

III. VERPA. Terrestrial. Pileo-stipitate. Pilens hollow
below, folded, inflated, or conical and adpressed. Hjmenium
rugulose.

IV. LEOTIA. Terrestrial. Pileo-stipitate. Pilens supported
centrally by Stem, margin revolute, smooth, and viscid.

Y. GEOGLOSSUM. Terrestrial. Club-shaped. Small.
Hymenium surrounding the club.

VI. GYROMITRA. Terrestrial. Pileo-stipitate. Pilaus in-
flated, bulging, rough, with raised gyrose ribs.

VII. SPATHULARIA. Terrestrial. Pileo-stipitate. Pileus
erect, compressed, running down into the Stem at the sides.

VIII. EHIZINA. Terrestrial. Crustaceous. Effused, then
bulsfingr and inflated. Underset with root-like fibrils.

IX. PEZIZA. Terrestrial and parasitic. Receptacle cup-shaped,
concave, soon expanding. Hymenium within cup. Sessile or sub-
stipitate.

X. BULGARIA. Parasitic. Receptacle orbicular, then trun-
cate, closed at first. Hymenium or inner surface, smooth, even,
viscid.

We have now particularized all the Families, Orders, and Genera
of Fungi, to which such plants as can be termed Mushrooms belong.
To those who would go further there is a wide field open, and an
exceedingly interesting one, which will be found to some extent
illustrated in the Plates appended to this volume. The microscope
will introduce us to a whole new world of plants, presenting forms,
and means of fructification, most strange and remarkable, be-
wildering from their multitude and diversity. But this branch
of Mycology is beyond our present purpose.^

* 1 The reader desirous of more extended information is referred to Cooke's
Handbook of British Fungi, which is a catalogue, illustrated and descriptive,
of all known species indigenous to England. Unfortunately, like all the more
copious works on Mycology, the Handbook is not easy to obtain, and is some-
what costly. But there is a small work by the same author, on Microscopic
Fungi, which can readily be obtained.

CHAPTER YII.

Om some Common Species of Eatable McsHrvOOMS.

The purport of the present cliaptcr is to bring into prominent
notice such of our esculent Fungi as are really best suited to
become popular articles of food. In a succeeding chapter will be
found an exhaustive catalogue of British Edible Fungi. But in
that list, which comprises two hundred and odd species, thei-e are
a number which could scarcely become popular, for one or other
of the following reasons. Some are not easy to identify ; others
are of rare occurrence, or seldom appear in any quantity.
Some are small ; others not particularly pleasing to the palate.
Some can only be used for the special flavours they will impart
to soups or meat dishes ; others require to be boiled, or otherwise
prepared, to render them nice, wholesome, and fit to cook — and
Bo forth. So we see that the principle of Discrimination must be
employed even among esculent mushrooms.

The species now to be shortly adverted to are peculiarly com-
mendable on several grounds. For example : each of them can
bo readily identified, possessing distinctive characteristics of
feature, and, once known, could be sought for and gathered by the
merest child, witliout fear of mistakes being made. Each of them
i!4 of common occurrence, and grows plentifully. Each of them is
j)erfcctly wholesome, and, if properly dressed, will afford a repast
both palatable and nourishing. Furthermore, nearly all of these
species have been taken into favour by English fungus-eaters,
from Dr. Badham and !Mrs. Hussey down to the present day ; and
of each and all of them the autlior has liad considerable personal
experience, gaKtronomically.

The Hpocies liere mentioned are spoken of by English titles that
have been coined for them respectively. The bracketed numbers
refer to those in the catalogue, wliere each species is minutely
deacribcd. Tlioy must be identified in llie fii'st place by those
doscriptione ; but some hints are added hero as to the points in

ON SOME COMMON SPECIES OF EATABLE MUSHROOMS. 45

eacli kind which it is useful to bear in mind and observe carefully
when picking, as a safeguard against mistakes.

The Pratelles (69-65). These comprise the species familiar to
English people under the vague title of " common field mush-
room." Newspaper writers are fond of adding : — " as everybody
knows, the only kind that is safe and reliable." As matter of
fact, everybody does not know the Pratelles; nor are they by any
means the only safe or excellent edibles among Fungi. There are
a number of species that it is much easier to learn how to recognise,
for the Pratelles are somewhat changeable in habit. The " common
field mushroom " is, in point of fact, a group of six or seven dis-
tinct varieties, so well-defined and separated that it has been
considered expedient to give them specific places in this book.
They are all esculent, but by no means identical in point of
flavour or digestibility. The best of them is probably the Red
Pratelle (64), distinguished by the reddish blush which comes upon
cut or broken surfaces. The next in point of flavour, and the
best known, is the White Pratelle (60). This kind seldom at-
tains a very large size. It is at its best when the gills are still
pink, the plant having just expanded. Then it should be rather
under than over-cooked, to be properly appreciated. In the
" button " stage it is insipid, but is then best for pickling.
When the gills get brown and black it is rather too coarse and
strong for epicures. The cultivated mushroom is a variety of this
Pratelle, perhaps rather to be regarded as a distinct species. It
is neither so well-flavoured nor so digestible as the meadow plant.
A very distinct species is the Giant Pratelle (59), often called
" horse-mushroom " by rustics. Frequently the " button " of this
species grows larger than an orange before expanding. It is very
meaty, quite wholesome, but decidedly inferior in flavour to those
mentioned before. The Brown Pratelle (63), which inhabits wet
and swampy pastures, is usually too watery, but has a good flavour.
The Shaggy Pratelle (65) is rich, luscious, and strong in flavour.
Some suspicion has attached to it, but probably only because people
have been sick from eating too freely of it. The author has found
it perfectly wholesome, and of excellent flavour.

The PuflFballs (190-197). Every one who has gathered Pratelles
in the meadows is sure to have seen Puff-balls. They are globose
white objects, varying in size from that of a marble up to that of a
small pumpkin. In youth they are solid, in age full of dust. All
are good eating, and the most digestible of mushrooms. The

46 ON SOME COMMON SPECIES OF EATABLE MUSHROOMS.

only point to observe is, to cut each individual tlirougli, and reject
ali specimens that are not perfectly lohite and solid throughout ; for
when they begin to ripen they become nauseous, and possibly un-
wholesome. Both large and small kinds are alike good to eat
raw, with bread and salt. If cooked, they must be dressed in
ways suitable to them, not like Pratellcs. Recipes are given in
a si)L'ci:il cookery appendix.

The Oread (114). This is a meadow mushroom, slender in
habit, buff in colour, and gregarious. It will be readily recog-
nised as the chief inhabitant of the so-called " fairy-i-ings." It is
a capital dainty, and so plentiful that it may often be gathered
almost by the cart-load, small as it is. It can be very readily
dried and kept. In distinguishing Oreads from other small kinds
frequently growing among them, it is necessary to observe the
following points. A uniform pale huff or cream colour. Gills that
are broad, distant from each other, and free from the stem, the same
colour as the cap, or only a shade lighter. The Stem solid and
Jibrous, and not hairy at the base. A strong, peculiar, and aromatic
scent. The Oread can scarcely be too highly extolled as an
esculent.

The Blewit (112). This appears also in meadows, generally
about the time when Pratelles are ceasing to come up plentifully.
It is a large, fat, dirty-white Agaric, growing in clusters or rings.
Attention must be paid to the lilac or violet stains upon the stem,
occasionally also on the cap or gills. The Blewit is as good as a
veal cutlet, which it may be dressed to resemble. It is not to be
gathered when at all watersoaked or gone ; for in this species the
early stage of putrefaction, or even swelling with water after rain,
seems to develop deleterious qualities. When fresh and diy, how-
ever. Blewits are most wholesome and excellent.

The Wood Blewit (111) is quite as good, but is only found in
limited localities.

The Oak-tongue (174). This is a mushroom easy to identify
and impossible to mistake for any other. It is a large fleshy
excrescence, found solely upon oak-trees. It is red in coloui', soft
and sticky to tlio toucli, and its surface when young looks like
tha.t of a bullock's tongue. When old it becomes brown like liver,
but*,i8 still full of copious red juice which can be utilized. Itb
large size, ])erfect wbolcsomencss, and wonderfully nutritious
(piali'-ties make the O.ak-tongue one of our most valuable economic
Fungij; though it must yield iu point of flavour to some other kinds.

\

ON SOME COMMON SPECIES OP EATABLE MUSHROOMS. 47

It can be cooked so as to resemble beef-steak ; and its juice can
hardly be distinguished from beef -gravy. If persons who profess
vegetarian principles would teach our peasantry how to make use
of Oak-tongues, many a poor man's table might be supplied with
a substitute for beef, almost identical in taate and quality, and
costing nothing.

Legendary history relates that the ancient Druids were wont,
at certain seasons, to cut some parasite off oak-trees with golden
sickles and much ceremony. This parasite is always called
mistletoe. Now, who ever saw mistletoe growing on the oak ? It
never does grow on that tree — except in the year of the Greek
Kalends, perhaps ! Has not the name of the parasite been wrongly
translated ? Doubtless ! The author conceives that it was the
Oak-tongue which the Druids cropped, not the useless Mistletoe.
And he has little doubt that many a rare feast on its succulent
flesh used to be held by the Druids in the mystic recesses of their
forest temples !

The Spindleshank (26). This species is easy of recognition,
and is thoroughly good and wholesome. It grows in dense tufts
about the foot of trees, chiefly of oaks. The points that distinguish
it are : — A dark chestnut brown colour of Pileus and Stem ; pale umber
or drab-coloured gills, which are serrated and crowded ; and a Stem
which is long, spirally twisted, large in the middle, and tapered off at
both ends. When the Spindleshank is to be prepared fresh, the
caps only should be used ; but stem and cap can be used when it
is pickled. It is an excellent mushroom, and is both common
and plentiful.

The Chantarelle (81). Few mushrooms can be so readily recog-
nised as this, and once known it is impossible to mistake any
other for it. The Chantarelle grows in woodlands and parks, and
its distinguishing features are these: An irregular shape; gills
like wrinkled folds or plaits ; a uniform bright, golden-yellow colour ;
a scent like that of plums or apricots. It is a supremely excellent
viand, in high estimation among mushroom epicures. In Con-
tinental markets it fetches a high price, though plentiful there
as here. Finding it often in quantities near London, the author
has sometimes presented basketfuls to his French and German
friends in the metropolis, to their great gratification. But when he
has proffered it to his own countrymen, he has usually encountered
contemptuous scorn ; so deep is the fungophobic superstition. An
English lady once told him that Chantarelles " looked so awfully

'18 ON SOIIE COMMON SPECIES OF EATABLE MUSHROOMS.

poisonoas." Well, blessed are those that know better, for they
shall eat and rejoice exceedingly !

The Urchin of the Woods (153). This is a very desirable
species. It grows in much the same place as the Chantarelle,
and about the same season. It is of a pale creamy buff tint. The
Red Urchin (154) has a reddish-brown cap, but is otherwise
almost identical with its congener. The shape is irregular, and
the stem rarely in the centre. The point to be especially ob-
served is the Hymenium. On inverting an Urchin, it will be
found that the inferior surface of the cap is set with spines,
having the appearance of a brush, or of a hedgehog or sea-
urchin's coats. They are easily brushed off. The Urchin is not
considered so good as the Chanterelle on the Continent. How-
ever the author esteems it quite as highly. These two species
require quite a different style of cookery from the Pratelles,
which will be elsewhere entered into.

The Parasols (35-44). These are a group of species like the
Pratelles, which may be regarded as one from a culinary point of
view. They gi-ow in grassy places, and are to be distinguished by
the following points. The stem is tall, hears a ring, has a htdhous
hase, but has no volva. The Pileusis shaggy or scaly, and has a central
boss on the disc. The Gills are remote from the stem. The whole
plant has the shape of a lady^s parasol. The Pasture Parasol (43),
the Slender Parasol (38), the Flaky Parasol (37), the Silky
Parasol (40), the Grey Parasol (44), and the Bossed Parasol (41),
is the order of relative gustatory merit, according to the author's
opinion. He has made some converts to fungus-eating by means
of dishes of Parasols ; for they are really more delicate and better
flavoured than the familiar Pi-atelles.

Spring Mushrooms. So early as the end of March, if the
weather be propitious, a certain number of good edible species
appear. They continue till the end of May or first weeks of
June, but not later. Some have a second season in late autumn,
but the majority are solely of spring growth. The chief of them
are tlie following :

The Morels (200-208). The three species of ]\Iorel may be con-
founded with each other, but can scarcely be confounded with
anything else, unless it be the equally wholesome Helvels. To
begin with, they appear only in spring. The description of them
is given in the catalogue, there being no special points that need
be particularized. They are of very local growth, but whero they

ON SOilE COMMON SPECIES OP EATABLE MUSHROOMS. 49

have fixed a habitation they are Tisnally plentiful, and recur
annually. They are hardly less dainty or nutritive than Truffles,
and are esteemed only second to them on the Continent. It is
truly a treat to partake of them.

The Helvels (201-204). Two or three species of Helvel are
spring mushrooms, although they appear again in autumn with the
rest of the tribe. The appearance of a Helvel may be roughly
but graphically described as being like a piece of a brown kid
glove, crumpled up, and stuck on the top of a short, worm-eaten
cabbage-stalk. They have not the solid, lumpy look of Morels,
and are indeed of quite different formation. They are excellent
eating, some of them not much inferior to Morels.

The St. George (71). This species is the best of spring Agarics.
It is so named because it has been observed to appear about St.
George's Day (April 23rd). It lasts to the end of May. The
St. George grows in groups and half circles among grass near
copses or woods. It is thick and solid, a clumsy-shaped, dirty-
white mushroom. Observable points are, tJie narrow, crowded,
white gills ; the bulging, thick stem ; and a strong fungic-musJcy scent.
A kindred species is The Big St. George (77), a larger and coarser
kind ; and we may also regard The Muscat (67) as identical in a
culinary sense. The last-named is smaller and more delicate, but
is uncommon. Thei'e is practically no other species appearing at
the same time and site which could be mistaken for these. There-
fore there need be no hesitation in gathering mushrooms answering
to the descriptions of them given in the catalogue. They are very
excellent eating when fresh, and may be readily dried for storing.
The St. George is not met with everywhere ; but where it does
appear, it is generally in heavy crops.

The Mousseron (23), and The OrceUe (22). The main distinc-
tion between these species is that the first appears only in spring,
whereas the latter comes up in late summer and autumn. Both
grow in woods and under bushes in straggling groups. The
Mousseron is pretty regular in shape, whereas the Orcelle is lobed
and one-sided. The first smells of fresh meal, the latter has a
scent like syringa or cucumber rind. They have these points in
common : A solid stem, not very thick ; a cuticle exactly like white
kid; and narrow, crowded, decurrent, salmon-pink gills. Both
species are capital eating, very delicate, and pleasant in flavour.
When gathering the Mousseron in spring, it is essential to guard
against the white Amanita verna, a poisonous species which appears

E

50 ON SOME COMMON SPECIES OF EATABLE MUSHROOMS.

at the same time and in the same localities. This Amanite is
taller than the Mousseron, and has white gills, never decurrent ;
besides which it possesses a ring and volva. The most ordinary
intelligence can discern the difference at a glance.

The Blusher (4). This is another species of Amanite, but of
different qualities to that one just alluded to. The Blusher is
first-rate eating, perfectly wholesome, and makes a remarkably
good ketchup. In most woodlands it is profusely abundant, from
early summer to late autumn. And it is large and substantial.
It has a brown cap studded with whitish warts ; white gills ; a
bulbous stem with a deep ring, and some remains of the volva.
But attention is to be chiefly paid to a reddish stain which suffuses
the stem more or less, and which blushes upon the white substance
directly it is broTcen. This at once separates the species from other
Amanites. Of course the Fly Amanite, whose cap is scarlet, with
white warts, will not bo mistaken for the brown-capped Blusher.
The blush is the distinctive and unmistakable feature of this s-ood
esculent.

The Grisette (6). Also an Amanite, but of different habit from
the rest, the Grisette is unmistakable once it has been recognised.
But it may be that the species will be found less readily identifiable
from description than most of the preceding. The grey-fawn glossy
cap, with its sulcate margin ; the long, slender, nodding stem rising
out of the volva, but destiinte of a ring ; and the generally fragile
habit, are the points most remarkable. But the description in the
catalogue must be closely studied. The Grisette is very choice
eating, in fact, quite a delicacy. It requii-es very light cooking,
and is so delicate that it is spoilt by even a few hours' keeping. It
is common.

The Stump-tuft (7). This species grows in dense clumps upon
stumps and tree-roots. Its characters should be carefully noted,
as some dangerous kinds grow similarly. But no mistake is
possible if the distinctive points are observed. The cap of the
Sturap-tuft is a dull, dirty buff, inclining to honey colour, and scaly ;
its stem, is tall, firm, elastic, and stuffed, bearing a broad, expanded
ring ; its gills are dirty white, and adnata. When the plants grow
closely the lower oiies are profusely j^ou'dered with the white spores shed
by the higher 07ies. The Stump-tuft is wholesome and plentiful,
but rather acrid to the taste. To make it palatable, it should be
steeped for some hours in vinegar and water, and then be well
Pfnlded before ^eing dressed. It is much eaten about Vienna.

ON SOME COMMON SPECIES OF EATABLE MUSHROOMS. 51

The Pazil (119). This is one of the commoneat of all mush-
rooms. It is large, substantial, and -wholesome, therefore it merited
insertion here. But like the Stump-tuft, it requires treatment
before cooking to make it nice. It is tough and of poor flavour.
Yet these two kinds are so plenteous, substantial, and nutritive,
that they ought to be advocated. Poor peasants on the Continent
make large use of them. The Paxil has a mottled clay-brown cap,
the margin strongly involute ; the gills are whitey-hitff, crowded,
branched, and decurrent ; the substance of the pileus and the short
stem is homogeneous, pale buff, and dry ; all parts turn rusty ivherever
wounded.

The Inkcaps (82-85). These are mushrooms inhabiting rank
places, dunghills, etc. They are distinguished by white conical caps,
and gills black and liquefying. The Inkcap (82), and The Maned
Inkcap (83) are the best. When young, before the gills are more
than brown, they make a nice dish, but need a very short time on
the fire. Their ketchup is worthless.

The Oyster (55). A species growing chiefly on the trunks of
ash, apple, and laburnum trees. It looks not unlike a bunch of
oyster-shells hanging on the tree. Many plants grow in an over-
lapping cluster. Colour above is grey bialf. The gills are white,
and very decurrent on the short stems. There are several allied
species described in the catalogue, which are equally wholesome
and palatable eating. Only the young plants should be taken from
a cluster. The older ones are tough. If we remark the white
decurrent gills, there is no chance of mistaking anything else for
the Oyster and its congeners ; and they make an excellent dish if
prepared as is elsewhere directed.

The Virgin (99), The Ivorine (95), and The Snowdrop (96).
These three species of small white Hygrophores appear very often
on lawns in autumn, as well as elsewhere. They are very reliable,
and, if in sufficient quantity, make excellent dishes. The first is
satiny-white, the second larger and ivory-white, the third very
small and snow-white. All are distinguished by the irregular
hood-shape peculiar to Hygrophores ; the waxy, hygrophanous sub-
stance; and the few, distant, decurrent gills. If once tried, the
experiment will be repeated. To be dressed like Oreads.

The Redmilk (101). Wherever there are plantations of fir or
pine this species may be looked for in the grass about them. It is
a large salmon-red mushroom, of thick and substantial appearance.
Its distinctive character is that, when wounded, a bright orange-red

52 ON SOME COMMON SPECIES OF EATABLE MUSHEOOMS.

juice exudes^ which soon changes to a dull olive- green on exposure.
This jnice makes the Redmilk perfectly easy to identify. It is
common enough, and often comes up in enormous crops, as the
author has seen it, among' the Cleveland Hills, and elsewhere. Its
qualities can only be described in superlative terms. It is whole-
some, nutritive, most delicious, and lends itself well to preservation
in salt. In Russia, which is a great fungus-eating country, the
Redmilk is esteemed as "fit to set before the Czar." Yet here it
is suffered to rot unheeded by the ton.

The Kidney (109). This is a congener of the preceding, both
being Laclars. It is lax"ge, thick, and substantial, of a rich,
golden-brown tint ; the cap has been compared to the top of a
Warden pear. The gills are white, and the juice which extides is
u'hite like milk, very copious, and changes to a dull brown on exposure.
The stem is stout. This mushroom tastes like lambs' kidneys when
similarly dressed, and is altogether a first-class esculent. It does
not seem to be common in this country. Care must be taken not
to mistake other Lactars for it. The distinctive points have just
been italicized. In Lorraine children gather it, selecting it from
all others with ease, and stuff themselves with it raw. Its whole-
someness cannot be gainsaid.

The Bisotte (126). This, and the succeeding species, are the
onl}- two of the esculent Russules which can bo safely included in
the present list, as being readily distinguishable. The Bisotte is
a pretty large and substantial mushroom, growing in scattered
groups under beeches and other trees. Its cap presents a dull,
mottled green, never at all tinged with red, smooth, even, and easily
peeled; the gills are tvhite, equal, crowded, and adnexed ; the flesh is
thick, white, brittle, and dry ; the stem is short, blunt, stout, and naked.
This is a very excellent and common kind. It tastes agreeably
when raw, and makes admirable dislies.

The Verdette (130). Probably this species is quite the best of
the Russules, all the edible species of Avhicli are, however, very
good eating. The Verdette of course presents the general features
of the genus. Given these, we shall find it remarkable for a cap
ciiloured a light verdigris-green, the cuticle areolate ; that is, split up
into numerous checks upon the surface. It is not so common as the
J'.isotte, but docs occur very plentifully in some places. It makes
a dish that epicures will enjoy.

The Clavarias (132-146). All the species seem to be escnlent,
certainly all the white ones. The yellow kinds have been regarded

ON SOME COMMON SPECIES OF EATABLE MUSHROOMS. 53

with suspicion ; why, it is hard to say, since there is no evidence
except in their favour. The author eats them all indiscriminately,
and is inclined to pronounce the Golden Spindlespike (140) his
particular favourite. It is often found in large bundles, and is
hence more substantial than the others, which are mostly small
and troublesome to pick and clean, though they are very nice to
eat, and well repay the trouble they give. The Spindlespike is
a trifle tough and fibrous, unless well sweated with butter. But
it possesses a peculiarly agreeable piquant flavour. The Clavarias
generally are thoroughly commendable, and pickle well.

The Bolets (155-173). This genus is one that the author is
particularly anxious to popularize, because Bolets are large, sub-
stantial, common, and abundant. They are readily known by
their big, round, cushiony caps, and by the porous, spongy surface
below the cap. A considerable number of species are harmless,
and therefore edible, and they are considerably more plentiful than
their noxious congeners. It would be evidently very desirable if
we could discover some common feature, the recognition of which
should serve to distinguish good Bolets from noxious ones.
Dr. Badham thought he had hit upon some such a test, and various
writers since have perpetuated his mistake. It is this. Certain
species, when bruised or broken, immediately assume a blue or
blackish colour in the wounded part. All such species were
declared to be deleterious, while esculents were said to show no
such feature. The author has succeeded in proving that tliis
change of colour does in no way serve to distinguish bad Bolets
from good ones, though it may help to indicate some species.
There are various entirely wholesome Bolets in which the change
of colour takes place most markedly. Trying to find some surer
substitute for this fallacious rule, the author believes he has
established a more useful one in the following. Any Bolet posses-
sing primrose-yellow pores may he regarded as esculent, with one rare
exception, that in lohich there is also a stout, entirely scarlet stem.
But there are also two excellent species in which the pores are of
dirty-white colour. Nor can it be said with certainty that all
those in which the pores are brown, tan-colour, pink, or crimson
are noxious, though the known poisonous Bolets are found among
them. After all, it is better to discriminate each species by itself,
as has been previously insisted on. This, more especially, because
although we have about a score of species of Bolet which are
wholesome and nutritive, they are severally very different in

54 ON SOME COMMON SPECIES OF EATABLE MUSHROOMS.

decree of gustatory excellence. For example, there are three
species growing in fir-woods, distinguished by being of uniform
vellow colour. These are edible but not commendable, being soft
and of glutinous texture. In countries where they are used, they
are chiefly boiled down into soup, probably with garlic and onion,
or other flavourings and ingredients. Most Bolets can be readily
dried, and so kept for winter; and in some countries, especially
Russia and Italy, this seems to be largely practised. It is note-
worthy that the worst kinds lose all their noxiousness after being
dried, and become quite harmless. In the two catalogues all the
Briti.sh species of the genus, with but unimportant exceptions, are
described, so that the reader may be fully informed in respect of
them. The most commendable species will now be severally
indicated.

The Slimmer Bolet (155). This species is the first to appear.
It may be found so early as the end of May, and continues till the
beginning of August. It is very large and substantial, and is
altogether one of the best eatable mushrooms. The species is
large and irregular in shape. Next to its early season, the most
distinctive point is the cuticle^ which is fine, soft, and silky, of a dull
hrown, shaded and streaked with grey or black.

The Dainty Bolet (161). This species is fairly well known to
English fungus-eaters, and is probably the most delicious of the
Bolets. Its general characters are described in the catalogue.
Perhaps the most noteworthy distinctive point about it is the
delicate tracery, or network of fibres, seen on the upper part of the thick
white stem. There are two marked varieties of the Dainty Bolet,
differing in the colour of the Pileus. In the fii-st the cuticle is of
a light hvff tint. This kind is chiefly found amid grass, in and
about corners of pastures, near copses in parks, etc. If there be
any difference in flavour, the palm is borne off by this variety. In
the second the cuticle is brown, more or less dark and dull. This
kind is found more in the shade of woods, often on bare ground
among dead leaves.

The Red-Crack Bolet (159), and The Yellow-Crack Bolet (171).
Tliese are two woodland species, whose top-heavy caps are sup-
ported on stems that are tall, lean, twisted, and blotched with red
or brown. Both are liable to turn slightly blue where wounded.
The brown cuticle is apt to split and crack, and the interstices
become red in one species and yellow in the other. They are both
wholesome, and fairly good eating.

ON SOME COMMON SPECIES OF EATABLE MUSHROOMS. 55

The Dingy Bolet (167). This species closely resembles the
brown variety of the Dainty Bolet, mainly differing from it in not
having a reticulated stem, and in turning hluish lohere wounded. It
is often very abundant. The author has found it to be wholesome,
and fairly good eating.

The Orange Bolet (172), and The Rough Bolet (170). This pair
are distinguished by possessing dirty-ivhite pores, and by both
having tall, thich stems, ridged and corrugated, extraordinarily rough.
In the first the cap is of orange colour ; in the second it is dark
brown. Otherwise they are almost identical. Both are very large
and substantial, and get rather tough when mature. But while
young they are excellent viands, and perfectly wholesame. They
mostly inhabit woods, and grow singly.

The Elf-cups (209-218). This series of species cannot be con-
sidered of great economic value. Yet they are very useful in the
composition of sundry entrees, and hence deserve mention here.
The Chalice (209) is the best, and is not uncommon, occurring
often in some quantity. The brilliant Orange Elf-cup (210) is less
to be esteemed than the sober Snail-shell (212), though both are
equally wholesome and common. Other kinds will be found
referred to in the catalogue.

The Truffles (220-221). We have at least two species of these
well-known luxuries, which are of excellent quality. They have
been found in various localities, and the inference is that they are
widely diffused and probably plentiful. But as they are entirely
of subterranean growth they cannot be successfully hunted for
without the help of a certain breed of little dogs, which have a
faculty for scenting truffles. An experienced truffle-hunter, with
his dogs — or even with trained pigs — might find it a paying thing
to search English woodlands. But these are Fungi, that, however
desirable, it is clearly impossible to bring within the reach of
people generally.

CHAPTER VIII.
A Comprehensive Catalogue of Esculent British Fungi.*

ORDER AGARIC INI.

Genus AGAIilCUS. Sub-rjenus AMANITA.

(1.) AGARICUS ASPER ; Amanita asper ; The Rough Amanite.

Habitat. In woods ; on bare ground under beeches. Solitary.

Season. June to October. Common.

Pileus. Two to tliree inches across, livid, greenish or brownish
gi-ey j verrucoso, convex, obtuse, at length expanded, nearly plane.
Warts white, small, acute, persistent. Margin even.

Stem. Two to three inches high, white, silky, attenuate upwards,
thick, striate above, bulbous and scabrous below. Ring broad,
entire, white, deflexed, distant. Volva obliterate.

Section. Flesh white, brownisli under cuticle, unchanging, thick,
comj)aet. Stem stulTed, at length hollow. Gills white, broad in
fn))it, rounded behind, numerous, perhaps denticulate, free. Odour
sliglit. Taste mild, saltish. Spores white.

Obs. I have eaten it, and regard it as wholesome. But it is not commend-
able, having a briny taste even after cooking. It may be mistaken for Am.
rubescens, if the unchanging white flesh is not noticed. — W. B. II.

(2.) AGARICUS CECILI.E ; Amanita Cecilia ; The Cecilia.

Habitat. Airy glades and high ground in woods. Solitary.

Season. August and September. Common.

nicus. Three to four inches across, mouse-grey, border becoming
yellowish ; ovate in the volva, then cam])anuhite, convex. Warts
torn, grey, loose. ;Margin sulcate, smooth, perhaps fringed with
warty fragments.

• This catalogue is in so far comprehensive that it comprises all British species
whoso esculent i)roperties have been certilied, to the extent of the author's
infornintion. It may very well be that additions to the list will have to be made
in the future.

66

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 57

Stem. Four to six inches high, white or pallid, thick below,
attenuate upwards, silky and rimulose above, below squamulose,
naked. Volva grey, torn, imperfect, thick, not vaginate.

Section. Flesh white, unchanging, thickish. Stem stuffed,
spongy. Gills white, thick, veined, perhaps furcate, rather distant,
free. Odourless. Taste sweet. Spores white.

Ohs. Not much is known of it, but it has the reputation of being esculent.
If it be the A. murinus of Koques, it has also been deemed deleterious. I have
eaten it with Am. vaginata, which it closely resembles, the distinction lying in
the stuffed stem and imperfect volva. — W. D. H.

(3.) AGARICUS CESAHEUS ; Amanita Cesarea ; The Orange.

Habitat. In pine and fir woods. Solitary, or grouped.

Season. July to October.

Pileus. Three to six inches across, orange-yellow; at first
orbicular and inclosed in white volva, then convex, expanded,
plane, not viscid, not verrucose. Margin striate, rimose, sometimes
incurved, even.

Stem. Three to six inches high, yellow, smooth, thick, attenuate
upwards, bulbous below. Ring deflexed, thick, broad, yellow.
Volva large, white, vaginate.

Section. Flesh thick, white, yellow under cuticle. Stem hollow,
white within. Gills yellow, thick, broad, unequal, free. Odour
slight. Taste bland. Spores white.

Obs. This is not yet an established British species. But its renown, both of
ancient and modern date, induced me to include it here. It occurs throughout
North Europe and North America, and ought to grow in England. Report says
it has been found here, and perhaps it may yet appear in quantity, or be intro-
duced. It is an esculent of high merit. — W. D. H.

(4.) AGARICUS RUBESCENSj Amanita rnbescens ; The

Blusher.

Habitat. In and about woods, near trees in parks, etc. Solitary,
or in little groups.

Season. June to October. Very common.

Pileus. Three to six inches across, tawny-brown, more or less
reddish-brown, but never the least scarlet or orange ; convex,
at first smaller than bulb, with incurved edges, then expanding,
plane, even, depressed in wet weather. "Warts numerous, scat-
tered, dirty-white, mealy, washed off by rain. Margin scarcely
striate.

53 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

Stem. Two to five inches high, at fii-st a mere bulb, then
attenuate upwards, white, stained with brick-red below, and Avhere
bruised, cylindrical, bulbous and rough below, squamulose above.
Ring white, or stained with brick-red, broad, deflexed, striate.
Volva obliterate, or nearly so.

Section. Flesh thick, soft, white, rapidly blushing brick-red
where exposed. Stem stuffed, becoming fistulose. Gills white,
blushing if bruised, broad in front, narrow behind and rounded,
numerous, straight, unequal, free or adnexed. Odour slight.
Taste rather saltish. Spores white.

Obs. I have referred to the Blusher in chapter vii. It is easily identified by
its trick of bhishing, and if this be attended to, there can be no fear of mistakes.
Haviug often eaten it, I recommend it to all lovers of mushrooms. It is well
known to fungus-eaters. — IF. D. H.

(5.) AGARICUS STROBILIFORMIS ; Amanita strobiliformis ;
The Fir-cone Amanite.

Ilahiiat. High ground in woods, borders of copses. Solitary.

Season. August to October. Uncommon.

Pileus. Five to nine inches across, white or grey- white, at first
liemispherical, then convex, expanded, nearly plane. Cuticle
satiny. Warts numerous, gz'eyish, large, angular, floccose at their
edges, persistent, arranged like the exterior of a fir-cone. Margin
even or rimose, extending beyond the gills.

Stem. Four to seven inches high, white, thick, firm, floccose,
bulbous. Ring large, torn, fugacious. Volva fugacious, leaving
circular rim on bulb.

Section. Flesh thick, white, firm, unchanging. Stem solid.
Gills white, unequal, rounded behind, free. Odour slight, fragrant.
Taste sour, but agreeable. Spores white.

Obs. It is eaten abroad, and is esteemed preferable to the Bhisher. Here it
is not often met with. But being very large, two or three specimens make a
Bubstantial dish. It must, however, be carefully studied in comparison with the
white poisonous Amanites. — W. D. II.

(6.) AGARICUS VAGINATUS ; Amanita vaginata ; The
Grisette.

Uahitat. In woods, parks, under trees. In groups, or solitary.

Season. Juno to November. Common.

Pileus. Two to four inches across, fawn, greyish-fawn, greyish-

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BEITISH FUNGI. 59

\vliite ; campannlate at first, then convex, expanding, nearly plane ;
smooth, sleek, polished, viscid when wet, sometimes carrying loose
fragments of volva. Cuticle separable. Margin markedly striate.

Stem. Four to eight inches high, white, slender, fragile, attenuate
upwards, silky, cylindrical, slightly incrassate below, naked.
Volva large, brownish, vaginate, elongate, often buried.

Section. Flesh thin, fragile, white. Stem stuffed, cottony, at
length fistulose. Gills white, unequal, numerous, broad in front,
ventricose, perhaps imbricate, free. Odourless. Taste pleasant.
Spores white.

Obs. RefeiTed to in chapter vii. A most commendable mushroom. The
volva must be always looked for, and the other points studied, as there are some
nasty species not unhke it. — W. D. H.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-gcmis ARMILLARIA.

(7.) AGARICUS MELLEUS; Armillaria mellea; The
Stump-tuft. (PI. L, fig. 3 ; Tab. I., fig. 3.)

Habitat. On dead stumps and rotten roots of living trees, etc.
In dense tufts.

Season. July to November. Very common.

Pileus. Two to five inches across, buff, dirty-ochre, wax-yellow,
brownish ; at first convex, then plane, sub-umbonate, covered with
brownish, fibrillose, reflexed scales converging round disc. Margin
scarcely striate, rather sinuate, depressed, or lobulate. Cuticle
separable, pruinose in undermost plants.

Stem. Two to eight inches high, pale dirty buff, fibrillose, slender
in the middle, firm, elastic, tomentose and slightly enlarged at the
base. Ring large, pale buff, floccose, high, patent.

Section. Flesh tough, thin, pallid. Stem stuffed, spongy. Gills
pallid, unequal, rather distant, broad, serrulate, perhaps spotted
with brown, adnate, or denticulato-subdecurrent. Odour slight.
Taste bitter and astringent. Spores white, profuse.

Ohs. Described in chapter vii. Common and wholesome, but of inferior
quality.— TT. D. H.

(8.) AGARICUS MUCIDUS; Armillaria mncida; The
Beech-tuft.

Habitat. On dying or recently felled beeches. In clusters.
Season. September and October. Uncommon.

60 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

Pileus. One to two inches across, white ; at first hemispherical,
then expanding ; thin, soft, elastic. Margin very fine, incurved.
Cuticle clammy and wrinkled.

Stem. One to three inches high, Avhite, very slender, sub-
incrassate below, often crooked. Ring white, striate, persistent,
patent or reflexed.

Section. Flesh white, very thin. Stem stuffed, almost solid,

juicy. Gills white, broad, distant, rounded behind, almost decur-

rent, serrulate. Odour faintly aromatic. Taste bitter. Spores

white.

Obs. An esculent, but uncommon, small, and of peculiar flavour. — W. D. H.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-gemis CHAM^OTA.

(9.) AGARICUS CRETACEUS; Chamaeota cretacea; The
Chalky-cap.

Habitat. Gardens, orchards, and grass-fields. Solitary.

Season. July and August. Not uncommon.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, dead white ; convex, then
nearly plane ; smooth or squamulose, disc sometimes tinged with
fawn. Cuticle separable.

Stem. Two to three inches high, cylindrical, elastic, evenly
attenuate, enlarged below, thick, white. Ring horizontally
reflexed.

Section. Flesh white, thickish. Stem hollow. Gills broad in
front, numei'ous, unequal, remote, white at first, soon rosy. Odour
faint. Taste bland. Spores pink.

Obs. It is probably often eaten by mistake, people supposing it to be the
Wliite I'ratelle, which it resembles. It is quite as good eating, however. —
W. D. 11.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-genus CLITOCYBE.

(10.) AGARICUS CERUSSATUS; Clitocybe cerussata ; The
White-cap.

Habitat. In woods of fir and pine. In groups or rings.

Season. April to September. Not uncommon.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, white ; convex at first, soon
j)lane, obtuse, even, not umbonate ; smooth, sleek, moist.

Stem. Two to three inches high, white, not stout, tough, elastic
naked, incrassate, rooting slightly.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 61

Section. Flesh thickish, white, tough, unchanging. Stem solid,
spongy. Gills white, numerous, thin, crowded, acutely adnate.
Odour faint. Taste agreeable. Spores white.

Obs. Sometimes plentiful in its own habitat, particularly in Spring. It is
wholesome, and of pleasant flavour. Much eaten in some countries. — W. D. II.

(11.) AGAEICUS CYATHIFORMIS ; Clitocybe cyatMformis ;
The Goblet.

Habitat. Amongst moss in woods. In groups.

Season. October and ISTovember. N^ot uncommon.

Pileus. Two inches across, dull dark umber, smooth, moist,
hygrophanous ; disc depressed. Margin raised, even, sometimes
involute at first. Cuticle separable.

Stem. Two or three inches high, pale brown, cylindrical, slender,
reticulated with loose fibres, attenuate, elastic, naked.

Section. Flesh brownish, thin, membranaceous. Stem stuffed.
Gills dingy, whitey-brown, distant, sub-decurrent, sometimes
anastomosed behind. Odourless. Flavourless. Spores white.

Ohs. A species of little value. It has neither flesh nor flavour, nor is it
plentiful. It is useful only to add to a dish of other liinds. — W. D. H.

(12.) AGARICUS DEALBATUS ; Clitocybe dealbata ; The
Cream-clot.

Habitat. Grassy spots in woods. Fields. Old beds where A.
hortensis has been cultivated. In clusters.

Season. August to October. Common.

Pileus. One or two inches across, white, creamy, pinkish ;
smooth, polished ; at first convex, then plane, or ^evol^^te and
cyathiiorm. The variety on mushroom beds is crisped and lobed.

Stem. One inch high, white, slender, often curved, mealy,
naked.

Section. Flesh thick, white. Stem stuffed, fibrillose. Gills
white, rather broad, brittle, crowded, thin, adnate. Odour like
Pratelles. Flavour of flour. Spores white.

Obs. First-rate eating, and often plentiful. It has long been known to
English fungus-eaters. If the conditions of its growth on old mushroom beds
were noted, it might perhaps be successfully cultivated, and as an esculent it
would well repay the trouble. — W. D. H.

62 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BKITISH FUNGL

(13.) AGARICUS FRAGRANS; Clitocybe fragrane; The

Anisette.

Habitat. Amongst moss and grass, in woods. In groups.

Season. August to October. Common.

Pileus. One inch or more across, pallid or ochry ; at first
convex, then plane; smooth, even, hygrophanous. Margin at first
involute, thin, transparent.

SteiJi. Two to three inches high, pallid, slender, attenuate, to-
mcntose below, elastic, naked.

Section. Flesh whitish, membranaceous. Stem stuffed, becom-
ing' fistulose. Gills pallid, broad, crowded, distinct, sub-decurrent.
Odour sweet, like anise. Flavour strong, peculiar, agreeable.

Spores white.

Obs. If enough are found, they can be cooked alone, like Oreads, and are a
nice relish. But this is one of those species of little substance but strong
flavour, whose best use is to impart the latter to stews and hashes, which the
addition will greatly improve. They are so used on the Continent, and might
well be introduced into EngUsh kitchens. — IV, D. U.

(14.) AGARICUS FUMOSUS; Clitocybe fumosa; The
Smoke-cap.

Habitat. On high grounds in pine woods, and in wastes.
Solitary, or in gi'oups.

Season. September to November. Uncommon.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, smoke-colour, bistre ; at first
convex, then expanding, the centre somewhat raised, rounded,
smooth. Cuticle thick, adherent. Margin thin, sometimes waved.

Stevi. One to three inches high, half an inch thick, whitish,
smooth, perhaps mealy above, elastic, naked.

Section. Flesh white, thick centrally, toughish. Stem stuffed,
fibrous. Gills pallid, crowded, adnate. Odour slight. Taste

agreeable. Spores white.

Obs. This species is variable iu habit. It may easily be taken for A. nebu-
laris. It is equally wholesome, but much inferior in quality. Nevertheless, it
is a good deal eaten in some countries. I should recommend cookiug it like the
Paxil.— )r. D. U.

(15.) AGARICUS GEOTROPUS; Clitocybe geotropa; The
Funnel-cap. (Tab. I., fig. 5.)

Habitat. In and near woods, in woodland pastures. In groups
or rings.

Season. August to November. Not uncommon.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BEITISH FUNGI. 63

Pileus. Four inclies across, white, tinted with fawn or buff ; at
first convex, rounded, even, then forming a broad funnel with
an umbo in the centre ; surface smooth, satiny. Margin even,
or sub-involute.

Stem. Six inches high, one inch thick, enlarged below, white,
fibrillose, perhaps villose below, naked.

Section. Flesh white, thick, compact. Stem solid, compact.
Gills white, then buff, crowded, numerous, simple, pointed at both
ends, decurrent. Odour farinaceous. Taste bland. Spores white.

Obs. A species readily identified, wholesome, and good. It requires rather
long cooking, with plenty of moistening. There is nothing bad bearing any close
resemblance to it. Funnel-caps have been well tried and much commended. —
W. D. H.

(16.) AGARICUS GIGANTEUS; Clitocybe gigantea; The
White Giant.

Habitat. Grassy banks, hedge-sides, in meadows. Grouped.

Season. July to October. Not uncommon.

Pileus. Six to nine inches across, white, opaque ; infundibuli-
form, not umbonate ; flocculose, slightly viscid in wet. Margin
incurved, at length sulcate.

Stem. Two to three inches high, one inch thick, equal, obtuse,
minutely flocculose, cylindrical, naked, diffused into pileus.

Section. Flesh white, thick, firm. Stem solid. Gills white,
at length ochreish ; narrow, serrulate, forked behind, at length
rounded, shortly decurrent. Odourless. Taste bland. Spores
white.

Obs. The difference between this and Cli. maxima (19) appears to me to be
so entirely nominal, that I have given them the same English name. They
seem to be equally wholesome, and identical in a gastronomic sense. — W. D. H.

(17.) AGARICUS INFUNDIBULIFORMIS; Clitocybe infundi-
buliformis ; The Tan-cap.

Habitat. On bare ground, amongst moss or leaves, in and
about woods. Solitary or in groups.

Season. July to October. Common.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, pale tan or cinnamon ;
at first convex and umbonate, then funnel-shaped, with an umbo ;
dry, elastic, covered with a close web of down. Margin involute,
tomentose, then lobulate.

Stem. Two to three inches high, brownish white, slender,
thickened below, soft, elastic, cylindrical, naked.

64 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

Section. Flesh tliickish centrally, brownish, tough. Stem
stuffed, fibrous. Gills pallid, or brownish ; narrow, thin, unequal,
numerous, pointed at both ends, decurrent. Sweet-scented. Taste
nitlier astringent. Spores white.

Obs. Much like Cli. cj-athiformis ; perhaps a trifle more commenclaLle. It
dries well. The two species are not unhke some suspicious Clitocybes, and
great care is necessary iu distinguishing them, which would tend to deter from
attempting to use them.— Tr. D. H.

(18.) AQARICUS LACCATUS; Clitocybe laccata; The Little
Violet.

Habitat. Among dead leaves. In small groups.

Seaso7i. June to October. Very common.

Pileus. One to two inches across, violet, mauve, or dull magenta,
even yellowish ; pruinose in dry weather, dark and brilliant
in wet, fading when dry; convex, disc depressed. Margin
incurved, often sinuate.

Stem. One to six inches high, colour of pileus, slender, equal,
but a little incrassate at base, fibrous, tomentose, naked.

Section. Flesh thin, membranaceous, colour of pileus. Stem

stuffed, fibrous. Gills colour of pileus, broad behind, thick, distant,

unequal, adnate or sub-decurrent. Odourless. Taste mild.

Spores white.

Obs. Plentiful enough, though small. May be dressed like Oreads, though
inferior to them. — W. D. II .

(19.) AGARICUS MAXIMUS ; Clitocyhe maxima ; The White
Giant.

Habitat. In woods and wastes ; on old hedge-banks in meadows.
In groups or rings.

Season. July to October. Not uncommon.

Pileus. Six to fourteen inches across, or more, white, or dirty
Avhite; broadly infundibuliform, disc much sunk. Cuticle silky,
becoming squamulose. Margin sub-sulcate, thin, irregular, rimose.

Stem. Two to three inches high, white, brownish where bruised,
firm, smooth, thick, naked, incrassate below.

Section. Flesh white, thick centrally, firm. Stem solid, hard.
Gills white or creamy, close, crowded, serrulate, forked, decurrent.
Odour farinaceous. Taste bland. Spores white.

Obs. The two Bpeoics of Wliite Giant and the Fuuncl-cap are probably most

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 65

valuable food-fungi. They are very large and substantial, and occur in quantity
in many localities. They are much eaten on the Continent, and are highly
recommended. Bat they are somewhat coarse, and, though of excellent flavour,
are not of dainty and delicate substance. I have not had sufficient experience
of them myself, or I might have placed them in chapter vii. — W. D. H,

(20.) AGARICUS NEBULARIS; Clitocylse nebtQaris; The

Cheese-cap.

Habitat. Among dead leaves in woods. In irregular rows.

Season. August to November. Uncommon.

Pileus. Three to five inches across, cinder-grey, disc darkest ;
depresso-convex at first, then expanding, plane, centre umbonate
■within depression. Margin at first incurved and farinose.

Stem. Two to five inches high, greyish white, nearly an inch
thick, firm, naked, striate. Base enlarged, curved, held to
surrounding objects by cottony down.

Section. Flesh very thick, compact, white, unchanging-. Stem
solid, soft within. Gills white or creamy, narrow, crowded,
unequal, curved, decurrent. Odour precisely like new cheese.
Taste unique. Spores white.

Obs. In France, Paulet and Cordier have regarded this species with suspi-
cion. Curiously enough, the more timid fungus-eating authorities in England
cannot praise it sufficiently. I have had but slight personal experience of it,
but that little is in its favour. The Cheese-cap should be gathered young, and
should not be overcooked. It is certainly extremely nice. — IF. D. H.

(21.) AGARICUS ODORUS ; Clitocybe odora ; The Sweet-cap.

Habitat. Among dead leaves in woods. In little groups.

Season. August to November. Uncommon.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, pale bluish green, perhaps
splashed with white, smooth, not viscid ; at first convex, then plane,
inclining to repand, sub-umbonate. Margin thin, at first involute.

Stevi. Two inches high, colour of pileus, slender, firm, flexuose,
attenuate downwards, tomentose, naked, rooting.

Section. Flesh pallid, thin, tough. Stem stuffed. Gills pallid,
pinkish, not crowded, broad, wavy, ruguloso-venate between, adnate,
or sub-decuri-ent. Pleasantly fragrant. Taste mild. Spores white

Ohs. Similar to the Anisette, in a gastronomic sense. Both help to make
an omelette very tasty, and are useful to flavour meat dishes with. — W. D. H.

66 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

Genus AGARICVS. Suh-genus CLITOPILUS.

(22.) AGARICUS ORCELLA ; Clitopilus orcella; The Orcelle.

Habitat, lu and near woods, under bushes, near copses in
pastures. In groups.

Season. June to October. Common.

Pileus. Two to four inches across, opaque white, smooth like
kid leather, viscid in wet ; at first convex, then plane, expanding
irregularly, lobulate ; the centre depressed, often dimidiate.
Margin thin, sinuate.

Stem. One to two inches high, thickest above, smooth, white,
at length excentric, firm, stout, perhaps curved, naked.

Section. Flesh white, thick centrally, brittle. Stem solid.
Gills at first white, soon pale salmon-pink, close, narrow, unequal,
pointed behind, decurrent. Odour of cucumber-rind or syringa.
Taste bland. Spores pink.

Obs. Included in chapter vii. It is easily recognised, aud is a most exquisite
yi&nd.— W.D.H.

(23.) AGARICUS PRUNULUS ; Clitopilus prunulus; The
Mousseron. (Tab. II. fig. 14.)

Habitat. In and near woods, trees in pastures, and in parks,
olitary, or in groups.

Season. April to June. Not very common.

Pileus. Two to five inches across, opaque-white, or faintly
greyish, dry, soft, smooth like kid leather, pruinose ; at fii'st
convex, then depressed. Margin elevated, irregular, sinuate.

Stem. One to two inches high, white or faintly grey, sub-striate,
naked, swollen and villose below.

Section. Flesh thick, compact, brittle Stem solid, firm,
fissured in age. Gills at first white, soon salmon-pink, crowded,
narrow, pointed, very decurrent. Odour farinaceous. Taste bland.
Spores pink.

Obs. Included in chapter vii. Some authors contend it is identical with the
Orcelle, but Fries admits the distinction. Badham evidently confounded it with
the St. George. It is delicious. — W. D. II.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-genus GOLLY BI A.
(24.) AGARICUS CLAVUS ; Collybia clava ; The Reduail.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 67

Habitat. Oa trunks and roots of pines and other trees. Solitary.

Season. April and May. Uncommon.

Pileus. Half an inch across, orange red ; rounded, plane, even,
slender, smooth. Margin smooth, even.

Stem. Two or three inches high, white, smooth, slender, naked.
Base elongate, villose, rooting.

Section. Flesh white, or yellowish, thickish, tough. Stem
stnffed, white. Gills white, numerous, crowded, emarginate, free
or adnexed. Odour of radishes. Taste sharp. Spores white.

Obs. The flat head and long thin stem gives it a likeness to a nail. It is a
good deal used on the Continent as a flavouring for sauces, etc. Scarcely of
much account. — W. D. H.

(25.) AGARICUS ESCULENTUS ; CoUyhia esculenta ; The

Nail-cap.

Habitat. On the ground in pastures, heathy commons, and
woods. In groups and clusters.

Season. March to May. Tolerably common.

Pileiis. Half to one inch across, fawn or clay-colour, rounded,
nearly plane, smooth, not striate.

Stem. Two to three inches high, tint of pileus, slender, straight,
equal, tough, smooth, elongate, rooting, naked.

Section. Flesh drab, thin, tough. Stem fistulose. Gills white,
broad, close, pliant, adnate. Odour faint. Flavour bitterish.
Spores white.

Obs. Much esteemed in Germany. It is brought to market in immense
quantity, and is employed as a flavouring for sundry sauces and soups. —
W. D. H.

(26.) AGARICUS FUSIPES ; CoUyMa fusipes ; The
Spindle-shank. (Tab. I. fig. 7.)

Habitat. On stumps, and about the roots of trees. In dense
tufts.

Season. June to October. Common.

Pileus. Two to four inches across, tan or chestnut-brown,
darkest marginally ; rounded at first, then irregularly convex and
plane. Margin at first slightly incurved, soon expanding and
splitting.

Stem. Three to six inches high, chestnut-brown, darkest below,

68 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

twisted spirally, grooved, contorted, tlie middle swollen, tlie top
and bottom attenuate, spindle-shaped, naked, rooting.

Section. Flesh white, thick, tough. Stem fistulose, fibrous.
Gills pallid, drab, or becoming brownish, sometimes rounded
behind and free, or adnexed. Odour of nuts. Flavour agreeable.
Spores white.

Ohs. In chapter vii. Common, plentiful, a well-attested, excellent, and
•ubolesome viand. — W. D. H.

(27.) AGARICUS LONGIPES ; CoUybia longipes ; The
Long-shank.

Habitat. In shady woods among leaves, on half-buried stumps.
Solitary.

Season. August to November. Common.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, tan or pale brown ; at first
conical, then expanded, convex, umbonate ; thin, dry, velvety.
Margin even, patent, tomentose.

Stem. Three to eight inches high, huffish, attenuate, slender,
sulcate, tomentose, velvety, villose below, naked, root long and
twisting.

Section. Flesh pallid, thin, tough. Stem stufPed. Gills white,
distant, broad, rounded behind, adnate. Odour faint, sickly.
Taste harsh. Spores white.

Ohs. I can say nothing in favour of this species, except that it has been
classed among esculents both in France and America, Inexperience might
confound it with A. velutipes, a congener of which nothing is known. These
and other Collybias last long in mild winters. — W. D. H.

(28.) AGARICUS RADICATUS ; Collybia radicata; The
Ilooting-shank.

Habitat. On stumps and buried dead tree-roots. Singly or in
tufts.

Season. August to October. Common,

Pileus. Three to four inches across, dusky buff; convex, then
plane, sub-umbonate, radiato-rugose, smooth, viscid, tough, elastic,
perhaps inverted.

Stem. Three to eight inches high, pale brown, slender, twisted,
attenuate, striate, furfuracoons, naked, rooting deeply.

Section. Flesh pallid, elastic, thin. Stem stuffed, brittle, juicy,
splitting, rufescent, at length fistulose. Gills white, distant,

A CATALOGUE OP ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 69

ventricose, adnate. Odour resinous. Taste astringent. Spores
white.

Obs. A most unpromising species, which I only insert because it is reported
as edible from America. — W. D. U.

Genus A GA RIG US. Sub-genus ENTO L 0 MA .

(29.) AGARICUS FEUMENTACEUS ; Entoloma frmnentacea ;
The Wheat-cap.

Habitat. Damp grassy and mossy sites in woods. In groups.

Season. June to August. Uncommon.

Pileus. Two to four inches across, colour of ripe wheat, finely
streaked, dry, smooth; plane, rather repand. Margin irregular,
sinuate, arcuate.

Stem. Two inches high, tint of pileus, stout, striate, rimulose,
unequal, naked. Base obtuse, tomentose.

Section. Flesh white, thick, brittle. Stem solid. Gills dull
pink, broad, distant, emarginate, perhaps rounded behind, adnate.
Odour farinaceous. Taste agreeable. Spores pink.

Obs. Curtis reports it esculent in America. I have tried it raw, and it seems
good. But old specimens are rather nauseous. The sub-genus is a suspicious
one.—W. D. H.

(30.) AGARICUS RHODOPOLIUS ; Entoloma rhodopolia ; The

Waterskin.

Habitat. On the ground in woods. Singly, or in twos and
threes.

Season. April and May, September and October. Uncom-
mon.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, pale grey when dry, blackish
or tawny when moist, hygrophanous, smooth, satiny ; at first
campanulate, then plane, depressed, sub-umbonate. Margin
flexuose or broken.

Stem. Three inches high, smooth, white, nearly equal, stout,
pruinose above, naked.

Section. Flesh white, watery, thin, fragile. Stem hollow. Gills

rosy, unequal, distant, pointed in front, broad behind, denticulato-

adnate. Odour farinaceous. Taste mild. Spores pink.

Obs. It has been fairly well proved to be wholesome, though it is certainly
not commendable. It must be carefully differentiated from poisonous con-
geners. Ent. nidorosa resembles it, and may also be edible. — W. D. H.

70 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

(31.) AGAPJCUS SINUATUS ; Entoloma siniiata ; The
Pinky-cap. (Tab. II. fig. 13.)

Habitat. In damp shady woods and shrubberies. Solitary.

Season. April and May, September and October. Rare.

Pileus. Four to six inches across, pale pink or huffish, smooth,
dry, perhaps squamulose ; at first rounded, convex, then depressed,
expanded, lobulate, almost repand.

Stem. Two to three inches high, white, punctate with red,
stout, firm, compressed, at first fibrillose, then smooth, incrassate
below, naked.

Section. Flesh white, thick, compact. Stem stuffed, almost
solid. Gills rosy, very broad, obtuse, eruarginate, nearly free.
Odour of burnt sugar. Taste mild. Spores pink.

Ohs. Although Cooke and W. G. Smith regard this as poisonoiis, I insert it
here because Cordier says not merelj' that it is wholesome, but also that it is
tris hon a vianger. I have no personal experience of it. It must not be con-
founded with Ent. clypeata.— ir. D. II.

Genus AGArdCUS. Snh-genus HYPHOLOMA.

(32.) AGARICUS CANDOLLIANUS ; Hypholoma Candolliana;
The Esculent Hypholome.

Habitat. On the ground in shady woods. In tufts.

Season. April and May. Rare.

Pileus. Two to four inches across, buff, whitish marginally ; at
first campanulate or convex, then expanding, rounded ; smooth,
hygrophanous. Margin fimbriate with veil. Cuticle adnate.

Stem. Three inches high, white, fibrillose, slender, fragile,
striate above. Ring white, lacerate.

Section. Flesh white, thickish. Stem hollow above, solid below.
Gills brownish-violet, crowded, rounded behind, adncxed. Spores
purple.

Obs. The only one of the sub-genus reported esculent. It is eaten in
Southern Europe. But its close resemblance to sundry very bad congeners
deters me from recommending it. — W. D. II.

Genus AGARICUS. Sjib-gemts LEPIOTA.

(33.) AGARICUS ACUTESaUAMOSUS ; Lepiota acntesqua-
mosa ; The Scaly-top.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 71

Habitat. In woods. In gardens and conservatories. Solitary.

Season. Summer. Rare.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, tawny, floccose, then
sqnarrose ; rounded, convex, slightly umbonate.

Stem. Three to four inches high, tawny, thickish, tomentose
above, squamose below. Base bulbous. Ring white.

Section. Flesh white, tough, elastic, thick. Stem stuffed. Gills
white, crowded, simple, pointed at both ends, free. Odourless.
Taste mild. Spores white.

Obx. Enumerated among esculents by French authorities. — W. D. H.

(34.) AGAPJCUS CEP(ESTIPES; Lepiota cepcestipes ; The
Onion-stem.

Habitat. On tan and leaf -mould in gardens and conservatories.
In tufts.

Season. August and September. Uncommon.

Pileus. One to three inches across, at first white, then primrose,
becoming brown, darkest centrally, slightly squamulose; at first
oval, then campanulate, lastly plane, umbonate. Margin thin,
plicate, translucent.

Stem. Three to five inches high, white, velvety, slender, bulbous
below, like an onion. Ring erect, filamentous.

Section. Flesh white, thin, delicate. Stem hollow. Gills white,

unequal, numerous, broad, rounded behind, free. Odour not

agreeable. Taste bitter. Spores white.

Obs. Edible, but poor in flavour, not plentiful, and slight of substance. Of
little account.— TF. D. H.

(35.) AGARICU3 CSI3TATUS ; Lepiota cristata ; The Crested
Parasol.

Habitat. In fields and grassy woods, on lawns. Solitary, or in
small groups.

Season. August and September. Common.

Pileus. Half to two inches across, white or yellowish, at first
silky, then surmounted with a crest of granular reddish scales ;
expanded, umbonate, slender. Margin uneven.

Stem. One to two inches high, white above, brownish below,
slender, smooth, even, equal, perhaps fibrillose. Base rooting.
Ring entire, movable, evanescent.

72 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

Section. Flesh white, thin, firm. Stem fistulose, fibrous. Gills
white, numerous, distant, unequal, broad in front, remote. Odour
strong, unpleasant. Flavour peculiar. Spores white.

Obs. A very fair esculent. But it must not be confounded with forms of
Am. excelsa. — ir. D. H.

(36.) AGARICUS CLYPEOLARIUS ; Lepiota clypeolaria ; The
Scented Purasol.

Habitat. In damp shady woods, in gardens and conservatories.
Solitary or in groups.

Season. July to September. Not uncommon.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, white tinged with yellow,
pink, or brown ; at first ovoid, then plane, or depressed round
umbo. Cuticle soon breaking up into I'eddish scales clustered
about centre.

Stein. Two to five inches high, white or bi'ownish, slender, not
bulbous, smooth above, fibrillose below. Ring floccose, fugacious.

Section. Flesh not thick, pallid, soft. Stem fistulose. Gills
white, numerous, broad, unequal, not close, free but approximate.
Scent sweet. Tasteless. Spores white.

Ohs. Some have suspected it, but Letellicr calls it esculent. It is not worth
much anyhow. — W. I). H.

(37.) AGARICUS EXCORIATUS ; Lepiota excoriata ; The Flaky
Pai-asol.

JTahitat. In pastures and fields, in woodland glades. By twos
and threes.

Season. May to September. Common.

nieus. Two to three inches across, fawn, disc dark ; at first
convex, then plane, umbonate, rounded. Cuticle thin, breaking
up into small flaky scales. Margin and interstices silky.

Stem. One to three inches high, Avhite, or pale fawn, slender,
cylindrical, not bulbous, attenuate upwards, smooth, glossy. Ring
wide, deflexed, movable, not fugacious.

Section. Flesh white, thickish, soft, spongy. Stem fistulose.
Gills pallid, numerous, unequal, thin, unequally broad, projecting,
perhaps forked, remote. Odour faint. Taste pleasant. Spores
white.

Obs. In chapter vii. A thoroughly good, delicate edible.— Jr. D. U.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BBITISH FUNGI. 73

(38.) AaARICUS GRACILENTUS; Lepiota gracilenta ; The
Slender Parasol.

Habitat. Pastures and fields. Solitary.

Season. June to September. Not uncommon.

Pileus. Three to four inches across, buif -brown ; at first cam-
panulate, then expanded, obtuse, umbonate. Cuticle thin, break-
ing up into persistent dark patches. Margin and interstices silkj.

Stem. Four or five inches high, white, or brownish below ;
elongate, attenuate upward, squamulose. Base enlarged. Ring
thin, movable, fugacious.

Section. Flesh white, not thick. Stem hollow. Gills pallid,
broad, remote. Odourless. Pleasant flavour. Spores white.

Ohs. In chapter viL It is a handsome species, and excellent eating. —
W. D. H.

(39.) AGARICUS GRANULOSUS; Lepiota granulosa; The

Mealy Parasol.

Habitat. Woodland glades, heaths, and pastures. In groups.

Season. June to September. Uncommon.

Pileus. Half to one inch across, dull reddish yellow, variable in
tint ; at first convex, umbonate, then plane, or depressed. Cuticle
wrinkled, mealy, or granular,

Stem. One to three inches high, white and fibrillose above,
brown and scaly below. Base enlarged. Ring flocculose, fuga-
cious.

Section. Flesh white, thick centrally. Stem solid above, stuffed
below, fistulose at length. Gills white, ci'owded, somewhat swol-
len, free but approxinaate. Odour faint. Taste pleasant. Spores
white.

Obs. The wrinkled granular cap is a sure indication of the species. Its
wholesomeuess has been well attested, but it is only of inferior quality. —
W. D. H.

(40.) AGARICUS HOLOSERICEUS ; Lepiota holosericea; The

Silky Parasol-

Habitat. Damp grassy woods. Solitary.

Season. August to October. Not very common.

Pileus. Three to four inches across, fawn, buff, or brownish,
but uniform in tint ; at first convex, then expanded, not umbonate,
fragile ; covered with silky down.

74 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

Stem. Two to four inches high, tint of pileus, thickish, soft,
brittle, sericeous. Base bulbous. Ring superior, broad, pendulous,
reflexed, persistent.

Section. Flesh white, thick, soft. Stem solid. Gills white,
numerous, broad, ventricose, free. Odourless. Taste pleasant.
Spores white.

Obs. In chapter vii. I esteem it as a first-rate esculent. — IF. I). //.

(41.) AaATlICUS MASTOIDEUS ; Lepiota mastoidea; The
Bossed Parasol.

Habitat. In woods. Singly, or by twos and threes.

Season. September and October. Not uncommon.

Pileus. One to three inches across, drab, or buff : at first ovate,
then expanding, large umbo in depressed disc. Cuticle thin,
breaking up into small dark papillre.

Stem. Three to four inches high, white or huffish, slender,
equally attenuate upwards, weak, villoso-squamose, bulbous below.
Ring entire, movable.

Section. Flesh white, thickish, soft. Stem stuffed with cottony

fibres. Gills yellowish white, narrow, remote. Odour faint. Taste

pleasant. Spores white.

Obs. In chapter vii. Good, but not so succulent or well-flavoured as some
of the others.— ir. T). II.

(42.) AGARICUS NAUCINUS ; Lepiota nancina; The Short
Parasol,

Habitat. Pastures, grass in woods. Solitary.

Season. August to October. Uncommon.

Pileus. One to three inches across, white or whitish tan ; at
first convex, obtuse, then expanded, depressed, and umbonate ;
smooth, soft, silky. Cuticle thin, becoming pfranular.

Stem. One or two inches high, nearly white, attenuate, bulbous
below, fibrilloso. Ring large, thin, fugacious.

Section. Flesh white, thick, soft, spongy. Stem stuffed with

fibres, almost hollow. Gills pallid, becoming rosy, numerous,

nnequal, free, but approximate. Odour mouldy. Taste agreeable.

Spores white.

Obi. It boars some resemblance to A. crctacous, owing to the short stem,
similar nito, and pink Rills, and is about equal to it in point of esculent merit.
But it is not often met with.— IF. D. II.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 75

(43.) AGARICUS PROCERUS ; Lepiota procera ; The Pasture
Parasol. (PI. I. fig. 1 ; Tab. I. fig. 2.)

Hahitat. In pastures, and among grass on sandy and gravelly-
soils. Solitary, or in groups.

Season. July to October. Common.

Pileus. Four to eigbt or ten inches across, bistre, or red-brown ;
at first a rounded cone, then campanulate, expanding, parasol-
shaped, umbonate. Cuticle velvety, broken up into broad scales,
like brown shaggy leather. Margin whitish, or pinky, silky,
fimbriate.

Stem. Six to twelve inches high, comparatively slender, cylin-
drical, attenuate, bulbous below, white, squamose with brown scales,
deeply sunk into pileus. Ring strong, thick, movable, persistent.

Section. Flesh white, thick, soft, cottony at margin, rufescent
when bruised. Stem fistulose, with interior fibres. Gills white,
or creamy, ventricose, serrulate, remote. Odour farinaceous.
Flavour pleasant. Spores white.

Obs. In chapter vii. One of the very best esculents. Probably superior to
the Pratelle.— ir. D. H.

(44.) AGARICUS RACHOCES ; Lepiota rachodes ; The Grey
Parasol.

Habitat. Pastures, in shady corners. Solitary.

Season. July to October. Common.

Pileus. Three to eight inches across, grey, the scales brown ;
globular at first, then expanding, depressed, and umbonate ; velvety,
shaggy. Margin shaggy.

Stem. Six to twelve inches high, white, slender, not squamose,
attenuate, bulbous below. Ring torn, movable.

Section. Flesh white, rufescent where bruised, thick, soft.

Stem hollow, containing fibres. Gills pallid, ventricose, serrulate,

free. Odour farinaceous. Taste pleasant. Spores white.

Obs. In chapter vii. Perhaps it is fanciful to say this is any inferior to Lep.
procera. — W. D. H.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-genus MY GEN A .

(45.) AGARICUS PURUS ; Mycena pura ; The Mauve-cap.
Habitat. Among moss and leaves in woods. In groups.
Season. August to N'ovember. Common.

76 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

Pilous. One or two inches across, of variable tint, rosy, violet,
or brown-purple, moist; at first conical, then expanded, campanu-
late or plane, umbonate. Margin tliin, striate, translucent.

Stem. Two to four inches high, tint of pileus, rigid, slender,
smooth, polished, naked. Base villose.

Section. Flesh very thin, pallid. Stem hollow, fibrous, splitting.

Gills pale, tint of pileus, broad, distant, unequal, projecting, venate

behind, adnexcd. Odour and taste of radishes. Spores white.

Ohs. May be easily confounded with A. laccatus, but the two species may be
gathered and eaten together, and are almost identical in flavour. — W. D. H.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-genus OMPHALIA.

(46.) AGARICUS GPJSEUS ; Omphalia grisea ; The Grey-bud.

Habitat. Grassy places in fir and pine woods. In groups.

Season. July to October. Common.

Pileus. Half to one inch across, grey, becoming leaden ; cam-
panulate at fii'st, then convex ; smooth, polished when dry,
hygrophanous. Margin striate.

Stem. Two to three inches high, pallid, very slender, smooth,
firm, straight, naked.

Section. Flesh membranaceous. Stem fistulose. Gills pallid,
or greyish, distant, unequal, arcuate, venate, thickish, slightly
denticulate, decurrcnt. Odourless. Taste insipid. Spores white.

Ohs. Of very little account. These small species may sometimes be gathered
in quantity, and made into a relishing dish. But they are hardly worth the
trouble.— JF. 1). II.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-ge7ius PIIOLIOTA.

(47.) AGARICUS CAPISTRATUS; Pholiota capistrata; The
RulTcd-neck.

Habitat. On old elm trees and stumps. In tufts.

Season. Late summer and autumn, llai'o.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, wliitish when dry, livid,
tawny, and viscid when moist ; convex, rounded. Margin involute,
8ub-striate.

Stem. Three to four inches high, thick, nearly equal, sub-
Rquamnlose. Ring large, entire, patent, persistent.

Section. Flesh thick. Stem stuffed. Gills pallid, becoming

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 77

darker, flesliy, crowded, decurrent. Odour slight. Taste un-
pleasant. Spores brown.

Ohs. It has been reported esculent by English authorities. It seems to me
to differ very little from Pho. cylindracea, as described by Fries, Letellier, and
Cordier ; a species not accounted British, but which is eaten in southern France.
—W. D. H.

(48.) AGARICUS LEOCHROMUS; Pholiota leoclironia; The

LioD-taft.

Habitat. On stumps and decaying roots of trees. In tufts.

Season. Autumn. Not common.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, bright tawnj ; convexo-plane,
at length depressed ; soft, smooth, not polished. Cuticle rivulose.
Mai'gin pale.

Stem. Three to four inches high, white above, pale brown
below, nearly equal, slender, smooth, shining. Ring tawny, per-
sistent.

Section. Flesh rather thick. Stem solid, fibrous, brownish
below. Gills pallid, then cinnamon, rounded, ventricose, adnate.
Odour slight. Taste mild. Spores brown.

Obs. Cooke speaks well of it as an esculent. I do not remember having tried
it.— ir. D. H.

(49.) AGARICTTS MUTABILIS ; Pholiota mutahilis ; The

Limetuft.

Habitat. Mostly on lime-trees, sometimes on other trees, and
very rarely on the ground. In tufts.

Season. April and May, September and October. Common.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, cinnamon, pale when dry,
disc often tawny ; convex, then expanded, smooth. Margin thin,
translucent, at first incurved.

Stem. Two to four inches high, whitey-brown, rigid, slender,
smooth above, squamulose below. Ring distinct, woven.

Section. Flesh white, thickish centrally. Stem stuffed, at length
fistulose. Gills pallid at first, then brown, broad, crowded,
rounded, adnate or sub-decurrent. Odour faint. Taste harsh.
Spores brown.

Obs. Of similar esculent value to the Stumptuft. To be prepared like it. —
W.D.H.

(50.) AGARICUS PR-ffiCOX ; Pholiota pracox ; The
Dappled-cap.

78 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

Habitat. On tho ground in gardens and mossy meadows. Singly,
or in groups.

Season. April and May. Sometimes common.

Pileus. One to three inches across, creamy, or yellow-tawny,
perhaps tesselated, viscid in wet, soft, retaining impression of
liuger, like kid when dry ; convex, then plane, rounded, smooth,
even.

Stem. One to three inches high, white, slender, equal, at first
sub-pubescent, then smooth, I'ooting strongly. Ring high, striate,
deflexed, white, entii-e.

Section. Flesh creamy, thick, firm, watery towards margin.
Stem at first stuffed, then fistulose. Gills pallid, creamy, at length
brown, rounded, unequal, serrate, crowded, adnexed. Odour faint.
Taste mild. Spores brown.

Ohs. Not well kuown ; but there is good evidence of its being esculent, and
of fair quality. — W. I). H.

(51.) AGARICUS PUDICUS ; Pholiota pudica ; The Ingenue.

"Habitat. On old tree-trunks, chiefly elder. Singly, or in tufts.

Season. June to October. Not uncommon.

Pileus. Two to four inches across, at first white, then buff, dry,
smooth, perhaps rivulose ; convex, then plane, rounded, even.

Stem. Two to three inches high, whitish, nearly equal, smooth,
often excentric, or curved below. Ring entire, patent, persistent.

Section. Flesh thick, white. Stem stuffed, or solid. Gills at
first pallid, then brownish, unequal, rounded behind, ventricose,
adnate. Odour slight. Taste mild. Spoi'cs brown.

Obs. The best in quality of the edible Pholiotes. Much eaten on the Conti-
nent.—JF. I>. H.

(52.) AGARICUS SPECTABILIS ; Pholiota spectabilis; The
Tawny-tuft.

Habitat. On stumps and trunks of oaks. In tufts.

Seaso7i. August to October. Uncommon.

Pileus. Three to five inches across, rich tawny buff ; compact,
convexo-j)lane, dry. Cuticle broken up into broad, flat, silky scales,
which become streaky towards the margin.

Stem. Four inches high, thick, tougli, spongy, buff, swollen
below, rooting. Ring brownish, powdered with spores, thick,
deflexed, ijbrilloso below.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 79

Section. Flesh huffish, thick, firm. Stem solid, spongy. Gills

rusty-yellow, crowded, serrulate, narrow, adnato-decurrent. Odour

unpleasant. Taste harsh and bitter. Spores brown.

Obs. Eeported edible by Letellier, but certainly not enticing. Would require
preparation like the Stumptuft, I should think. — W. B. H.

(53.) AGAEICUS SaUARROSUS; Pholiota squarrosa; The
Prickly-cap. (Tab. III. fig. 19.)

Habitat. On tree-trunks, mostly apple-trees. In tufts.

Season. August to October. Common.

Fileiis. Two to four inches across, tawny-yellow, very squamose;
at first sub-campanulate, rounded, then convex, expanded, ob.scurely
umbonate. Margin inclined to be involute. Scales bright brown,
revolute.

Stem. Three to six inches high, yellow, becoming brown, thick,
cylindrical, attenuate below, smooth above, squamose below with
brown, revolute scales. Ring high, radiate, cottony, bright brown.

Section. Flesh thick, compact, yellowish. Stem stuffed, pithy.

Gills at first yellowish, then olivaceous, lastly brown, unequal,

arcuate, crowded, adnate. Odour sickly. Taste of mouldy meal.

Spores brown.

Obi. It has lain under undeserved reproach, on account of its appearance.
It is however, wholesome enough, though not of first-rate quality. It needs to
be "sweated," like the Urchin.— IF. D. H.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-genus PLEUROTUS.

Obs. There are no deleterious species in Pleurotus, though some are too
tough to eat. The Subgenus is distinguished by white spores — a fact to be
noted. Claudopus, which nearly resembles it, has pink spores, and there are
some more or less poisonous species in that subgenus. All edible Pleurotes are
to be gathered young, and dressed like the Oyster. — W. D. H.

(54.) AGARICUS DRYINUS ; Pleurotus dryinus ; the

Spotty-sprout.

Habitat. On various kinds of tree. Solitary.

Season. September to November. Uncommon.

Pileus. One to three inches across, white, variegated with brown
spotty scales ; at first convex, then expanding obliquely, dimidiate,
compact, hard. Margin perhaps involute, perhaps fimbriate with
veil.

80 A CAT.yiiOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

Stem. Two to three inches long, white, spotted, lateral, continuous
with pileus, thick. Base attenuate, firm, woody. In youth bearing
fragments of veil.

Section. Flesh white, yello^-ing where bruised, compact. Stem
solid. Gills white, at length yellowish, unequal, curved, forked,
narrow, decurrent. Odour and taste farinaceous. Spores white.
Obs. Pretty good whilst young. Like the Oyster to eat. — W. D. H.

(55.) AGARICUS OSTSEATUS ; Pleurotus ostreatus ; The
Oyster of the Woods.

Hahifat. On old trunks of ash, apple, labui-num, and other trees.
In imbricate tufts.

Season. March to May. September to December. Common.

Pileus. Two to six inches across, brownish, buff with grey
shading, paling at length, glossy in dry weather, clammy in wet ;
sub-dimidiate, conchate, ascending. Margin involute, rimulose.

Stem, Absent, or short and lateral, continuous, small at base,
at length tomentose.

Section. Flesh white, stained under cuticle, thick, firm. Stem

solid. Gills white or pallid, unequal, distant, broad, decurrent to

base and anastomosing. Odour aromatic. Taste agreeable. Spores

white.

Obs. Included in chapter vii. Most excellent and commendable. — IV. D. II.

(56.) AGARICUS PETALOIDES; Pleurotus petaloides ; The
Petal-pprout.

Habitat. On the ground or on buried stumps, in Avastcs and
woodlands. Solitary or grouped.

Season. September and October. Rare.

Pileus. Two to tliree inches across, pullid or grey-buff, thin, dry,
farinose; ascending, depressed, dimidiate. Margin sinuate, folded,
spathulate, or petaloid. Cuticle separable.

Stem. Half to one inch high, white, compressed, flattened, lateral,
continuous, channelled and wrinkled.

Section. Flesh whitish, thin, brittle. Gills pallid or greyish,
narrow, crowded, decurrent. Odour and taste farinaceous. Spores
wliitc.

ObK. I have never seen it, but Cordier speaks well of its esculent qualities. —
W. D. 11.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 81

(57.) AGARICUS SALIGNUS ; Pleurotus salignus ; The
Willow- Sprout.

Habitat. Chiefly on willows, also on poplar and walnut trees.
Solitary, or in imbricate tufts.

Season. October to January. Not uncommon.

Pileus. Four to eight inches across, white, becoming brown ;
sub-dimidiate or flabelliform, horizontal, convexo-plane, disc per-
haps depressed, smooth or rimose.

Stem. Absent, or short, white, thick, tomentose, rigid.

Section. Flesh whitish, thick, spongy. Gills white, stained
with brown at length, close, thin, broad, unequal, bi-anched,
pointed at both ends, eroded, decurrent. Odour and taste farina-
ceous. Spores white.

Obis. Somewhat inferior in quality to the Oyster, but like it. — W. D. H.

(58.) AGARICUS ULMARIUS ; Pleurotus ulmarius ; The

Elm-Sprout.

Habitat. On tree-trunks, chiefly elms. Singly, and in tufts.

Season. October to January. Common.

Pileus. Four to eight inches across, or more, white, livid, perhaps
spotted ; smooth, rounded, con'\iexo-plane, soft, moist. Cuticle
inseparable.

Stem. Two to four inches long, white or greyish, cylindrical,
bent, stout, rigid, naked, sub-tomentose, hard and large at base.

Section. Flesh white, soft, compact. Stem solid. Gills white,
becoming stained, numerous, broad, irregular, hollowed below,
adnate. Odour and taste farinaceous. Spores white.

06s. Often abundant, and very fair eating. I have gathered a dish even in
the heart of London — in the Mall, to be precise, where it often appears on the
old wych-elms. — W. D. H.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-genus PSALLIOTA.

Obs. This is the Sub-genus comprehending the Pratelles, the most familiar
esculents in Great Britain. They are somewhat difficult to define, owing to their
variable habit, and no two mycological writers agree in their descriptions of
what they term the "varieties " of A. campestris. Some of these varieties are
merely ephemeral and accidental, but others seem to be so fixed, and so uninter-
changeable one with another, that I have thought it advisable to describe them
here as distinct species, which I consider them to be. There are few of our
rustic mushroom-gatherers who do not regard some of these forms with suspi-

6

82 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

cion, quite erroneously, and many a good "picking" is lost in consequence.
The rules given in sundry cookery-books and rural handbooks are literally
nothing but rubbish, when they seek to teach people by " rule of thumb " how
to distinguish edible mushrooms from others.

Pratelles ^-ill appear whei'ever horses, cattle, and sheep are pastured, from
the equator to the arctic circle, but they are most prolific in the warm tem-
perate zones. They depend on the presence of the animals mentioned, and it
seems as if the spores could not be fertilized witbout passing through the
economy of horses, cattle, or sheep, more particularly the first. The fact has
been well illustrated in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Sea. There,
before the coming of the white man and his domestic animals, Pratelles were
unknown, if the natives are to be credited ; while now they are very plentiful.
In New Zealand I have seen phenomenal crops ; paddocks gleaming white with
mushrooms, as if a snow-fall had occurred. Yet Maoris have assured me the
Pratelle was unknown to them in olden times, a statement worth attention,
siuce they are most minute observers of nature. I have further observed — at
the instance of a Yorkshire farmer — that fields where stallions or bulls have
been pastured are always the most prolific in Pratelles.

Though of universal growth, Pratelles are not universally regarded with the
same favour as in England. In Italy, Hungary, and Iceland, the rustics are
prejudiced against them. Fungophobists have made much of the fact, and have
gone so far as to say that these mushrooms were actually deleterious when
growing in those countries — a notion as absurd as irrational. Many people have
borne evidence to the contrary from their own personal experience. It has been
abundantly proved that, in whatever quarter of tlic globe Pratelles may prow,
they are the same good, wholesome esculents. And looking at their wide distri-
bntion, and to the fact that one species of them can be easily raised artificially,
there is no doubt that they are at present the most valuable of food fungi ;
though they may have to yield in daintiness to some others, aud may ncu
always remain the only cultivable kind. — W. D. H.

(59.) AaARICUS ARVENSIS ; Psalliota arvensis ; The Giaut
Pratellc.

Ilahitat. Raised gi'onnd in pastures ; amid rank herbage in and
near copses. In groups.

Season. July to October. Common.

Pileus. Two to twelve inches across, or more, snow white,
perhaps becoming bnfRsh, at first floccose, then smooth ; in youth
globose, witli incurved margin invested with veil, then expanding,
convex, plane, even.

Stem. Two to six inches high, white, stout, cylindrical, swollen
below. Ring bi-oad, thick, pendulous, double, exterior split and
radiate.

Section. Flesh very thick, white, perhaps yellowing where
wounded. Stem stuffed, spongy. Gills at first pallid, then grey-
pink, then grey-brown, numerous, thin, attenuate before and

A CATALOGUE OF ESGUIiENT BRITISH FUNGI. 83

baliini, unequal, broadest in front, free. Odour strongly aroroatic.
Flavour aromatic and agreeable. Spores brownisK-purple.

Obs. In chapter vii. Very wholesome and good. Substantial, but not so
dainty in flavour as either the White or Bed Pratelles. Much eaten in some
parts of the country, and looked upon with suspicion in others. There is a
variety having flocculose scales of a pale earth-colour ; they break up concen-
trically in maturity. — W. D. H.

(60.) AGARICUS CAMPESTRIS; Psalliota campestris ; The
White Pratelle. (Tab. IV. fig. 26.)

Habitat. In pastures. In groups, or scattered.

Season. June to October. Common in September.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, white, pex'haps at length
tinted with grey or brown, sericeo-flocculose at first, then smooth,
glistening ; at first almost globose, then expanding, obtuse, even,
convexo-plane. Cuticle projecting a little, and curled up at the
edge, separable. Margin at first involute, invested with veil.

Stem. Two to three inches high, white, smooth, silky, thick,
slightly larger below, blunt. Ring medial, white, thick, often
fugacious.

Section. Flesh thick, white, firm. Stem stuffed. Gills pink,
pale at first, becoming purplish, then brown and almost black,
numerous, broad, unequal, rounded behind, free but approximate.
Odour and taste agreeable. Spores brown-purple.

Obs. In chapter vii. Usually accepted as the typical form. Perhaps it is on
the whole the commonest. This form seldom becomes large. To be eaten at
its best it should be gathered while the gills are still pink, not kept more than
half a day, and subjected to much less cooking than is commonly the practice.
—W. D. H.

(61.) AGARICUS HORTENSIS ; Psalliota hortensis ; The
Garden Pratelle.

Habitat. On prepared beds in gardens and forcing-houses, etc.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, or more, dirty-white,
brownish, flocculose at first, soon fibrillose or squamulose ; at first
globose, soon expanding, obtuse, convex, plane. Margin at first
involute.

Stem. Two to three inches high, white, dirty-white, brownish,
thick, rather fibrillo-squamulose. Ring fugacious.

Section. Flesh thick, white, firm, not juicy. Stem nearly solid.

84 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

Gills pale dull pink at first, soon brown, broad, rounded behind,
free but approximate. Odour slight. Taste not marked. Spores
brown, scarcely purple.

Obs. This is the common form of the cultivated Pratelle. But it varies a
good deal. I have seen specimens approaching in character to the Giant
Pratelle ; others again come near the habit of the Hedge Pratelle. The flavour
is always inferior to that of the White and Ked Pratelles, and the cultivated
plant seems to be less nutritious and not quite so digestible. — W. D. H.

(62.) AGARICUS PILOSUS ; Psalliota pilosa; The Hedge
Pratelle.

Habitat. Under trees, on hedge-banks, etc. Preferring marly
and gravelly soils. In small groups.

Season. July to October. Not very common.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, light tan, or tawny brown,
squamose ; at first globose, then convex. Margin thick, incurved,
compact, even.

Stem. Two inches high, whitish tan, darkest below, thick, rigid,
bulbous. Ring whitish tan, thick, torn.

Section. Flesh white, thick, hard, compact. Stem nearly solid.
Gills grey-pink, soon brown, broad, crowded, unequal, free but
approximate. Odour earthy. Taste insipid. Spores brown-
purple.

Obs. This may be identical with A. elveusis and A. campestris var. vapo-
rarius "of some authors. It is not commendable, being tough, flavourless, and
indigestible. — Jr. D. //.

(63.) AGARICUS PRATENSIS; Psalliota pratensis; The
Brown Pratelle.

Habitat. Wet, low-lying riverside pastures. In groups,

Siason. August to October. Common.

Pileus. Three to si.x inches across, dull umber, mottled,
fibrilloso-squamosc; at first infolded, soon expanded, convex,
rounded, uneven. Margin thick, split. Cuticle soft, separable,
fragile.

Stem. Two to three inches high, pallid, thick, rigid, rugose,
unequal. Ring filamentous, torn, brownish, evanescent.

Section. Flesh pallid, thick, watery. Stem stuffed, often
fissured. Gills pale pinky brown at first, then brown, unequal,

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BEITISH FUNGI. 85

uneven, narrow, close, ventricose, free but approximate. Odour
faint. Taste insipid. Spores brown, scarcely purple.

Obs. It is good enough, but very watery. In chapter vii. Looks like
A. gramraopodius. — W. D. H.

(64.) AGARICUS RUFESCENS ; Psalliota rnfescens ; The Red

Pratelle.

Habitat. Damp z-ich pastures. In groups.

Season. August to October. Common.

Pileus. Tbree to six inches across, rufous brown, rough and
fibrillose; at first globose, then expanding, convex, or plane.
Margin thick, fimbriate with fragments of veil.

Stem. Two to three inches high, stout, white, unequal, tapered
abruptly at base. Ring white, large, torn, fibrous.

Section. Flesh white, reddening where exposed, thick, juicy.
Stem stuffed. Gills pale pink, then bright pink, lastly pinkish-
brown, unequal, broad, rounded behind, free. Odour strong.
Taste pleasant. Spores purple-brown.

Ohs. In chapter vii. I consider it the best flavoured of the Pratelles. —
W. D. H.

(65.) AGARICTJS VILLATICTJS; Psalliota viUatica ; The
Shaggy Pratelle.

Habitat. On high ground in rich meadows. Solitary, or in
small groups.

Season. August to October. Not very common.

Pileus. Six to eighteen inches across, tawny- white at first, then
tawny or red-brown, fibrillose and shaggy; rounded, even, ex-
panded, convex or plane. Margin fimbriate, sericeo-fibrillose.

Stem. Four to twelve inches high, white, perhaps brownish,
silky or scaly, thick, swollen above the base. Ring large, entire,
white, pendulous.

Section. Flesh white, reddening where exposed, thick, juicy.
Stem solid. Gills pink, then red-brown, thin, numerous, attenuate
at both ends, almost remote. Odour strong. Taste pleasant.
Spores red-brown-purple.

Obs. Very fine flavoured and luscious. It has been somewhat suspected, but
my experience is that it is quite wholesome. I believe it contains no deleterious
principle, but perhaps may disagree with some on account of its richness. —
W. D. H.

86 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-genus TRICHOLOMA.

(66.) AGARICUS ACERBTJS; Triclioloina acerba ; The
Bitterlet.

Habitat. On the ground in woods. In small groups.

Season. August to October. Uncommon.

Pileus. Three to four inches across, yellowish-white, darkly
spotted ; convex, spreading, obtuse, smooth, sleek. Margin
involute, sulcate.

Stem. One to two inches high, tint of pileus, even, slightly
swollen below, sub-squamulose above, naked.

Section. Flesh whitish, not thick. Stem solid. Gills yellowish-
white, pale at fii'st, crowded, serrulate, sinuate, almost decurrent.
Odour slight. Taste strongly bitter. Sj^ores white.

Obs. Eaten in Italy. I think it requires an educated taste to like it, bow-
ever.— U'. D. H.

(67.) AGARICUS ALBELLUS; Triclioloma albella; The
Muscat.

Habitat. On mossy lawns, borders of woods, etc. In gi'oups.

Season. April and May. Not generally common.

Pileus. Three to four inches across, white, mottled with ochry-
grey, smooth, perhaps clammy ; conical, convex, sub-umbonate,
irregularly expanded. Margin thin, even, incurved.

Stem. One to two inches high, white, striate, sericeo-fibrillose,
naked. Base enlarged, deeply implanted.

Section. Flesh white, thick, brittle. Stem solid, becoming
•spongy. Gills white, numerous, crowded, broad before, attenuate
behind, sinuate, adnexed. Odour musky. Flavour peculiar,
pleasant. Spores white.

Obs. In chapter vii. Not often met with, but an especial dainty. —
W. D. H.

(88.) AGARICUS ALBO-BRUNNEUS; Tricholomaalbo-'brTmnea;
The Brownie.

Habitat. Hilly pine-woods. In groups.

Season. August to October. Common.

Piletis. Two to four inches across, at first dirty-white, soon
rusty-brown ; globose at first, then expanding, rounded, convexo-
plano ; fioccosc in youth, afterwards glutinous.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 87

Stem. One to three inches high, whitish above, brown below,
sub-squamulose, thick, naked, unequal.

Section. Flesh pallid, thick. Stem solid. Gills pallid, then
brownish, crowded, broad, sinuate, adnexed. Odour and taste
farinaceous. Spores white.

Obs. A fairly good comestible. Rather tough and juiceless, so should be
prepared like Paxils. — IF. D. H.

(69.) AGAKICUS BREVIPES; Tricholoma brevipes ; The
Dwarf.

Habitat. Plantations, woodland glades, roadsides. Solitary or
scattered.

Season. June to September. Not uncommon.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, grey-brown ; at first con-
cave, then plane, perhaps convexo-plane, obtusely sub-umbonate ;
even, smooth, soft. Margin sleek.

Stem. Very short, brown, thick, bulbous, rigid, smooth, naked.

Section. Flesh pallid, pex'haps reddish, fragile. Stem solid.
Gills pallid, soon brownish, crowded, unequal, pointed in front,
emarginate, adnexed. Odour slight. Taste a little astringent.

Spores white.

Ols. Not a bad viand, but infrequent in occurrence. — IF. D. H.

(70.) AGARICUS COLUMBETTA; Tricholoma columbetta; The
Columbette.

Habitat. In woods, under oaks, on heaths. Solitary.

Season. September and October. Not common.

Pileus. One to three inches across, white, disc greyish ; convex,
perhaps ovate, then plane, rounded ; at first smooth, then silky,
fibrilloso-squamulose, moist. Margin sub-involute, split at length.

Stem. One to two inches high, white, stout, unequal, bent,
silky-striate, naked.

Section. Flesh white, thickish, firm. Stem solid. Gills white,
crowded, thin, sub-serrulate, sinuate, almost free. Odour earthy.
Flavourless. Spores white.

Obs. Fairly good. Must be carefully distinguished from the suspicious
Tri. spermatica, which resembles it, but has a stuffed or hollow stem, eroded
gills, and a pungent, disagreeable scent. — W. D. H.

88 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

(71.) AGARICUS GAMBOSUS; Tricholoma gambosa; The
St. George.

Habitat. Pastures and fields, near copses and plantation^.
Singly, or in groups and rings.

Season. April to June. Common.

Pileus. One to four inches across, white, creamy, perhaps pale
buff on disc, moist ; convex, expanded, irregular, often lobulate,
obtuse. Cuticle adnate, smooth like kid, minutely tomentose, rimu-
lose. Margin at first involute, uneven.

Stem. Two to three inches high, white, stout, firm, sub-
flocculose above, incrassate below, naked.

Section. Flesh white, compact, very thick. Stem solid, or
perhaps fistulose below. Gills pallid, creamy, numerous, very
narrow, irregular, unequal, emarginate, denticulato-adnexed.
Odour strong, musky-fungic. Taste pleasant. Spores white.

Obs. In chapter vii. In all respects a first-class esculent, and most com-
mendable.—IF. D, //.

(72.) AGAKICUS GRAMMOPODIUS; Tricholoma grammopodia;
The Field Darkie.

Habitat. Damp, poor pastures. In rings.

Season. August to October. Common.

Pilens. Three to five inches across, dusky grey-brown, black in
wet weather, smooth, moist; convex, then expanding, plane, de-
pressed, perhaps obtusely umbonate, repand. Margin thin, brittle.

Stem. Two to three inches high, pallid, striate with grey, rigid,
thick, sulcate, naked, sub-incrassate and villose below.

Section. Flesh pallid, stained, brittle, not thick. Stem stuffed.
Gills pallid, narrow, arcuate, unequal, sinuate, adnate. Odour
sickly. Taste nauseous. Spores white.

Ohn. It appears to be a good deal cateu on the Continent ; but it is very
unplcasing, and not at all commendable. It would need preparation like the
Stuniptuft. It may easily be mistaken for that much better esculent the Brown
I'ratelle, which grows on the same site. — Jr. D. H.

(73.J AGARICUS GRAVEOLENS ; Tricholoma graveolens ; The
False ^luHcat.

Habitat. Heathy pastures, under firs. Solitary.
Season. April to June. Rare.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 89

Pileus. Two to three inches across, pallid, or ochreish, dry,
velvety ; at first conical, then expanding, convex, rather repand.
Margin thin, sub-involute.

Stem. One to two inches high, white, not thick, rigid, cylindri-
cal, equal, fibrillose, naked, rooting.

Section. Flesh white, not thick, brittle. Stem solid. Gills
pallid, then ochreish grey, crowded, thin, arcuate, nnequal, scarcely
sinuate, adnate. Odour strong, mouldy, rather musky. Taste
good. Spores white.

Obs. Accounted edible abroad. I have found and tried it here, though I
beheve it has not been previously noted among British species. It seems good
in quality, but must be very rare. — W. D. H.

(74.) AGARICUS HUMILIS ; Tricholoma humilis ; The Little
Darkie.

Habitat. Among grass in damp situations. In groups.

Season. August to October. Not common.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, slate-grey, brownish on disc,
blackish in wet ; convexo-plane, depressed and sub-umbonate ;
minutely toraentose, smooth, hygrophanous. Margin thin, waved,
projecting.

Stem. Two inches high, brownish, fragile, slender above, swollen
below, pulverulent above, tomentose and rimose below, naked.

Section. Flesh pallid, not thick, brittle. Stem stuffed, brown.
Gills pallid, then brownish, broad, crowded, undulate, unequal,
sub-ventricose^ denticulato-adnexed. Odour and taste unpleasant.
Spores white.

Obs. Gastronomically it is identical with Tri. grammopodia. — W. D. H.

(75.) AGARICUS IMBRICATUS; Tricholoma Imbricata; The
Lapped-cap.

Habitat. On the ground in fir and pine woods. In imbricated
tufts.

Season. September and October. Rare.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, rich red-brown ; conical,
then convex, plane, rounded, sub-umbonate, dry, rimulose, squamu-
lose or sericeo-fibrillose. Margin involute, pale, pubescent.

Stem. Two to four inches high, tint of pileus, pruinose above,
thick, firm, swollen below, naked.

90 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BE,ITISH FUNGI.

Section. Flesh pallid, thick, compact. Stem stuffed, then
fistulose. Gills pale rusty-white, browning where bruised, crowded,
not broad, serrulate, sinuate, adnexed. Odour agreeable. Taste
sweet. Spores white.

Obs. Scarce and little known here, but esteemed a wholesome esculent iu
France.— IF. D. U.

(78.) AGARICUS lONIDES; Tricholoma ionides; The

Purple-cap.

Babitat. Amid grass in damp woods. Solitary, or in gi^oups.

Season. September and October. Uncommon.

Pileus. One to three inches across, dull purple; campanulate,
then convex, expanded, umbonate, even, nearly smooth. Margin
at first pubescent.

Stem. Two inches high, pale purple, slender, elastic, attenuate,
fibrillose, naked.

Section. Flesh pallid, thickish. Stem stuffed. Gills pallid,
crowded, thin, narrow, eroded, sinuate, adnexed. Odourless.
Flavourless. Spores white.

Obs. Of but slight value. It is wholesome, but insipid. — JV. D. H.

(77.) AGAEICUS MONSTROSUS ; Tricholoma monstrosa ; The

Big St. Geoi'ge.

Habitat. In pastures and fields, near trees. In groups.

Season. April to June. Uncommon.

Pileus. Four to twelve inches across, opaque white ; convex,
umbonate, at length lobulate, repand. Mai-gin thick, inflexed.

Stem. Three to six inches high, opaque white, thick, uneven,
striate, pubescent above, bulging below, naked, rooting.

Section. Flesh very thick, white, compact. Stem solid, or
fissured. Gills creamy, distant, narrow, scarcely sinuate, adnate.
Odour pungent, musky. Taste agi-eeable. Spores white.

Obs. In chapter vii. It is practically the same as the St. George, but an
uncommon form. — IT. U. 11.

(78.) AGARICUS PESSUNDATUS ; Tricholoma pessundata;
The Turnover.

Habitat. In plno woods. Solitary.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 91

Season. September and October. Rare.

Fileus. Three to four inches across, chestnut or reddish, squa-
mose, spotted, viscid; convex, repand, bent. Margin uneven, pale.

Stem. Two to three inches high, white, bulbous at first, then
nearly equal, thick, villoso-squamose, naked.

Section. Flesh thick, compact, stained. Stem solid, hard.
Gills pallid, at length reddish, narrow, shining, crowded at first,
then more distant, very emarginate, adnexed. Odour mealy.
Taste good. Spores white.

Obs. Closely allied to A. russula of Scbaeffer, which is eaten on the Conti-
nent.—U". D. H.

(79.) AGAHICUS VACCINUS ; Triclioloma vaccina ; The

Calf-skin.

Habitat. In pine woods. Solitary, or in groups.

Season. September and October. Uncommon.

Pileus. — One to two inches across, rufous brown, dry, floccoso-
squamose ; campanulate, then expanded, obtusely umbonate.
Margin involute, fibrillose.

Stem. Three to four inches high, pallid above, pale brown
below, thick, equal, fibrillose, naked.

Section. Flesb pallid, thickish. Stem fistulose. Gills pallid,
then brownish, spotted with red, sub-distant, broad, emarginate,
adnexed. Odour feeble. Taste rather bitter. Spores white.

Obs. Reported to be a wholesome esculent, but of inferior quality. — W. D. H.

Genus AGAEICUS. Sub-genus VOLVAEIA.

(80.) AGAEICUS BOMBYCINUS ; Volvaria bombycina; The

Silky Volvar.

Habitat. In open grassy woods, under trees, corners of fields,
etc. Singly.

Season. July to October. Not common.

Piletis. Three to six inches across, fawn, becoming brown ; at
first conical within the volva, then campanulate, convex, expanding,
perhaps plane and umbonate ; viscid within the volva, then sericeo-
fibrillose, bearing evanescent patches of volva, smooth, even, very
silky. Margin even, silky.

Stem. Three to seven inches high, pallid, smooth, attenuate.

92 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

swollen below, not annulate, soft, firm. Volva fawn or pallid'
slimy, large, at length cup-like about base.

Section. Flosli white, firm, elastic, thick. Stem solid. Gills
pallid, then pink, unequal, broad, numerous, fx'ee. Odour slight.
Taste mild. Spoi-es pink.

Ohs. I have met with it several times, and, knowing it to be considered
esculent abroad, I have eaten it. It is of similar quality to A. vaginatus. —
W. D. II.

Gemis CANTIIARELLUS.

(81.) CANTHARELLUS CIBAEITJS ; The Chantarelle.

Habitat. In shady woods, on the bare ground, or amid moss and
leaves, on marly soils. Scattered.

Season. July to October. Common.

Pileus. One to five inches across, bright yellow, tint of egg-
yoke; at first rounded, convex, depressed, involute, then expanding,
repand, lobulate, sinuate, depressed, irregular, uneven, smooth.

Stem. One to two inches high, tint of pileus, thick and con-
tinuous above, attenuate below, smooth, naked.

Section. Flesh white, firm, tough. Stem solid, perhaps at
length fistulose. Gills tint of pileus, folded, plicate, wrinkled,
forked, thick, decurrent. Odour of plums or apricots. Taste
peppery. Spores pallid.

Obs. In chapter vii. Supremely excellent when properly dressed. —
jr. D. JJ.

Genus COPniNUS.

(82.) COPRINUS ATRAMENTARIU3 ; The Inkcap.

Habitat. On the gi-ound in well-manured fields, sites of old
dung-heaps, gardens, etc. In groups and tufts.

Season. June to October. Common.

Pileus. Two to four inches high, whitish at first, soon dirty
brown ; ovate, conical, campanulate, expanding, obtuse, squamoso
on apex, corrugate. Margin soon uneven, split, waved, sti-iate.

Stem. Three to eight inches high, white, smooth, half an inch
thick, attenuate above, cylindrical, nearly equal, fibrillose, imprint
of ring remaining.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 93

Section. Flesh thin, fragile. Stem hollow, banded within.
Gills whitish, then brown, lastly black and deliquescent, ventricose,
roanded behind, free. Odour slight. Taste pleasant. Spores
black.

Ohs. In chapter vii. It must always be gathered young, and is then
good.— TF. D. H.

(83.) COPRINUS COMATUS ; The Maned Inkcap.

Habitat. Rank soil in pastures, gardens, woods, railway embank-
ments, etc. In groups.

Season. August to November. Common.

Pileus. Three to four inches high, two or three across, white,
squamose with broad, feathery, fibrillose scales ; ovate, conical,
apex tinted lilac or pinky-brown. Margin thin, splitting, curling
outward.

Stein. Four to six inches high, white, perhaps pinky, cylindrical,
attenuate upward, bulbous below, rooting, brittle, fibrilloso-
squamose. Ring movable.

Section. Flesh white, pinky under cuticle, thick at apex, finely
plicate, fragile. Stem hollow, containing fibrils, base solid. Gills
pinky-lilac at first, then brown, black, and liquefying, numerous,
linear, entire, free. Odour farinaceous. Taste agi^eeable. Spores
black.

Obs. In chapter vii. It is the best edible of the genus. — W. D. H.

(84.) COPRINUS OVATUS ; The Little Maned Inkcap.

Habitat. On rank soils, manure-heaps, etc. Solitary.

Season. August to October. Not common.

Pileus. Two to three inches high, one to two inches across,
white ; ovate, conical, campaniform, striate, delicate. Cuticle at
first woven into densely imbricate, thick, concentric scales, which
at length become feathery. Margin thin.

Stem. Two to four inches high, white, floccose, attenuate,
bulbous, rooting. Ring evanescent.

Section. Flesh thin, fragile. Stem hollow above, solid below.
Gills at first whitish, then pinky, brown, black, and liquefying, lan-
ceolate, narrow, remote. Odour slight. Taste pleasant. Spores
black.
Ob$. Young specimens are good, very similar to C. comatus. — W. D. H.

94 A CATALOGUE OP ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

(85.) COPEINUS STERaUILINUS ; The Dingy Inkcap.

Habitat. On cow-dang. Singly, or in groups.

Seaso7t. June to October. Not common.

Pileus. One to two inches across, dingy grey ; conical, then
expanded, sericeo-villose or fibi-illose, then squarrose. Margin
sulcate, uneven.

Stem. Three to five inches high, whitish, attenuate, bulbous,
fibrillose. Ring evanescent.

Section. Flesh thickish at apex, white, fragile. Stem hollow
above, solid below. Gills whitish, then lilac, brown, black, and
liquescent, numerous, ventricose, free. Odour slight. Taste
bland. Spores black.

Obs. Of very trifling account. It is wholesome, however. — IF. D. H.

GeniLS CORTINARWS. Sub-genus DERMOCYBE.

(86.) CORTINARIUS CINNAMOMEUS ; Dermocybe cinna-
momea ; The Cinnamon-cap. (PL II. fig. 5.)

Habitat. In woods. Solitary, or by twos and threes.

Season. August to October. Not uncommon.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, red-bay, silky, at length
smooth ; convex, then plane, obtusely umbonate. Margin thin,
splitting.

Stem. Two to three inches high, slender, yellow-brown, equal,
minutely fibrillose. Veil yellowish, ax'achnoid.

Section. Flesh yellowish, thick centrally. Stem stuffed, at
length hollow. Gills reddish-yellow, broad, crowded, lustrous,
serrate, adnate. Odour and taste like cinnamon or cassia.
Spores rusty- brown.

Obs. It is wholesome, and may be used for the spice it resembles, fresh or
dried. -W. D. H.

Genua CORTINARIUS. Sub-penus HYGROCYBE,

(87.; CORTINAEIUS CASTANEUS ; Hygrocybe castanea; The
Chestnut-cap.

Habitat, Bare ground in woods and shrubberies. In groups.

Season. July to October. Common.

Pileus. Ono to two inches acro.ss, bay'brown, sleek, at first

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 95

silvery with veil ; convex, sub-uinbonate, expanding. Margin pale,
rimulose, perhaps elevated.

Stem. One to two inches high, violet-brown, silvery from veil,
slender, fibrillose, even, rigid. Veil white, silvery, delicate,
arachnoid.

Section. Flesh thin, discoloured. Stem stuffed, at length
hollow. Gills violet-umber, then bay-brown, crowded, unequal,
broad, fixed, adnate. Odourless. Flavour strong but agreeable.
Spores rusty-brown.

Obs. A very good esculent. Resembles the Oread when dressed like it. —
W. D. H.

Genus CORTINARIUS. Snb-genus INOLOMA.

(88.) CORTINARIUS VIOLACEUS ; Inoloma violacsa; The
Imperial.

Habitat. In woods, especially of pine. In groups.

Season. August to October. Not common.

Pileus. Three to six inches across, dark purple, velvety, villose ;
convex, then expanding, plane, rounded. Marginat first fimbriate
with veil.

Stem. Three to four inches high, dark purple, cylindrical,
tomentose, swollen below. Veil silvery, arachnoid.

Section. Flesh violet, thick, juicy. Stem stuffed, spongy. Gills
purple, soon tawny, brown, thick, fixed, broad, distant, unequal,
adnate. Odour and taste appetizing. Spores rusty-brown-

Obt. A singularly handsome species, and a rich and luscious esculent. It
has always been highly extolled by those who have tried it, and it is perfectly
•wholesome. — W. D. H.

Genus CORTINARIUS. Sub-genus MYXACWM.

(89.) CORTINARIUS COLLINITUS ; Myxacium collinitum ;
The Glue-cap. (PI. II, fig. 2.)

Habitat. In woods and on heaths. Singly, or scattered.

Season. August to October. Common.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, ochry-brown, viscid,
shining ; convex, then expanded, rounded, even. Margin thin.

Stem. Three to four inches high, white, veil forming a silky
glutinous coat, which cracks and exposes a red-brown surface

96 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

beneath ; stout, fibrillose above obsolete ring. Veil slimy, arach-
noid, fugacious.

Section. Flesh white, thick at centre. Stem solid, white above,
red-brown below. Gills ochry-grey, then tawny, broad, distant,
venate, ventricose, rounded behind, denticulato-adnate. Odour
feeble. Taste not pronounced. Spores rusty-brown.

Ohs. It is eaten on the Contment, but I cannot commend it. — W. D. H.

Genus CORTINARIUS. Sub-gcnus TELAMONIA.

(90.) CORTINARIUS ARMILLATUS ; Telamonia armillata ;
The Bracelet-stem.

Habitat. In woods, especially of oak. Solitary.

Season. July to October. Not common.

Pileus. Three to five inches across, tawny or brick-red, dry,
smooth, innato-fibrillose or squamulose ; campanulate, then convex,
plane, expanded. Cuticle separable. Margin thin.

Stem. Three to six inches high, tint of pileus, middle marked
with a blood-red zone, half-inch thick, silky, fibrillose, swollen at
base. Veil reddish-white, arachnoid.

Section. Flesh thickish, discoloured. Stem solid. Gills pallid,
soon rusty, unequal, broad, distant, fixed, rounded behind, adnate.
Faint smell of radishes. Taste sharp. Spores rusty-brown.

Obs. A very commendable esculent, sometimes plentiful, and readily recog-
nised by its bracelet. — W. D. H.

Genus GOMPHIDIVS.

(91.) GOMPHIDIUS GLUTINOSUS; The Peg-top. (PL III.
fig. 5.)

Habitat. In ])ine woods. Solitary.

Season. August to October. Not rare.

Pileus. Two to five inches across, purplish- brown, glutinous ;
obtuse, flattened, continuous, top or peg-shaped. Margin thin,
even.

Stevi. Two to four inches high, yellowish below, continuous,
tapered downward. Base enlarged, perhaps scaly. Veil glutinous.
Ring fragmentary.

Section. Flesh thick, tough, stained. Stem solid. Gills pallid,
then dusky lilac, furcate, soft, glutinous, narrow, decurrent.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BEITISH FUNGL 97

Odour slight. Taste insipid. Spores greenish-grey, becoming
purple-black.

Obs. It is used in France. Schummel called it dangerous,, apparently with-
out reason. It is not commendable. — W. D. H.

(92.) GOMPHIDIUS VISCIDUS ; The Rhubarb-stem.

Habitat. On the ground, chiefly in fir and pine woods. Solitary,

Seaso7i. August to October. N"ot uncommon.

Fileus. Two to three inches across, tawny or red-brown, viscid,
lustrous ; at first conical, then convex, flattened but umbonate, per-
haps peg-shaped, continuous. Margin dark, thin, at first involute.

Stem. Two to three inches high, colour of rhubarb root, largest
above, confluent, striate, fibrillose, viscid. Ring filamentous,
obsolete.

Section. Flesh reddish, tough, thick. Stem solid, rhubarb
colour. Gills lilac-brown, firm, elastic, thick, entire, branched,
distant, decurrent. Odour feeble. Taste insipid. Spores greenish
grey, becoming purplish black.

Ohs. Better known than the preceding. Wholesome, but not delicate. To
be prepared like Paxils. — W. D. H.

Genus HYGROPHORUS.

Obs. The white species of this genus have all been well tested, and proved to
be good safe esculents. But the majority are brilliant in colouring, like parrots,
and only one or two of these are proved edibles. Of the remainder — namely,
H. miniatus, H. puniceus, H. obrusseus, H. chlorophanus, H. psittacinus, and
H. conicus — nothing is known with regard to their qualities, though the presump-
tion is that they are not deleterious. H. conicus turns black when bruised, and
has been susjDected because of that circumstance, which is of course no criterion
of its qualities at all. H. puniceus is large and blood-red, and so has lain uuder
reproach, without any reason. But amateurs will do well to let them alone
until experiment has proved their several characters. Sound esculents are
plentiful at the season of their appearance. The following Hygrophores are the
approved esculents of the genus. — W. D. H.

(93.) HYGROPHOHUS CERACEUS ; The Waxy-Hood.

Habitat. On lawns and wet mossy pastures. Solitary.

Season. September to November. Common.

Pileus. One inch across, yellowish-buff, viscid, hygrophanous,
wax-like ; convexo-plane, obtuse, sub-umbonate. Margin striate.

Stem. Two to three inches high, yellow, waxy, lustrous,
equal, flexuose, not thick, naked.

H

98 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

Section. Flesh thin, brittle, translucent. Stem fistulose. Gills
yellowish, broad, distant, ventricose, venate, adnate or sub-decur-
rent. Odourless. Taste bland. Spores white.

Obs. It is eaten in Germany, and may be pronounced of second-rate quality.
— ir. D. II.

(94.) HYGROPHORUS COCCINEUS ; The Scarlet-Hood.

Habitat. In grassy places. In scattered gToups.

Seasoji. August to November. Common.

Pileus. One to two inches across, scarlet above, shading into
orange and yellow below; obtuse, conical, campanulate, expanding,
sub-umbonate, perhaps inverted, or splitting from centre ; thin,
viscid in wet, hygrophanous, smooth, undulate.

Stem. One to two inches high, yellow, streaked with scarlet,
thick, smooth, flexuose, tough, easily split, naked.

Section. Flesh thin, fragile, coloured, translucent. Stem hollow.
Gills yellow or red, broad, ventricose, wrinkled, venate, thick,
denticulato-decurrent. Odourless. Taste agreeable. Spores
white.

Ohs. It is a commendable esculent. But sundry of the untested species may
be mistaken for it. — JT. D. H.

(95.) HYGROPHORUS EBURNEUS ; The Ivorine.

Habitat. On the ground under trees, in the shade. Scattered.

Season. September to November. Not very common.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, ivory-white, lustrous,
smooth, viscid in wet ; hemispherical at first, then plane, sub-
umbonate, pcrha])s concave. Margin at first involute, entire, even.

Stem. One to three inches high, ivory-white, unequal, punctate
above with minute brown scales, naked.

Section. Flesh thin, white, elastic. Stem stuffed, at length
hollow. Gills ivory white, straight, distant, firm, adnate or sub-
decurrent. Odour pleasing. Taste agreeable. Spores white.

Obs. I have placed it in chapter vii., as being highly commendable. — W. D. H.

(96.) HYGROPHORUS NIVEUS ; The Snowdrop.
Habitat. Mossy lawns, pastui'cs, and banks. In groups.
Season. September and October. Common.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 99

Pileus. Half to one incli across, snow-white, smooth, hygropha-
nous, viscid in wet ; campanulate, convex, then nmbilicate, striate.

Stem. One to two inches high, slender, even, smooth, straight,
naked, snow-white.

Section. Flesh of equal thickness, white, thin, tough, trans-
lucent. Stem fistulose. Gills snow-white, thin, entire, arcuate,
distant, decurrent. Odourless. Flavour inviting. Spores white.

Obs. In chapter vii. Though small, it is often plentiful, and makes good
dishes.— TT. D. H.

(97.) HYGROPHORUS OVINUS ; The Sheep-hood.

Habitat. On pasture flats and moorland sheep-walks. Scattei-ed.

Season. August to November. Common.

Pileus. One to two inches across, dingy, brownish, viscid in
wet, at length sub-squamulose ; conical, convex, then expanding,
revolute, undulate, gibbous.

Stem. Two inches high, pallid, dingy, slender, smooth, glossy,
unequal, bent, naked.

Section. Flesh pallid, thin, tough. Stem stuffed. Grills pallid,
then dingy, broad, arcuate, veined, decurrent. Odour and taste
agreeable. Spores white.

Obs. According to Duchesne it is wholesome and good. — IV. D. H.

(98.) HYGROPHORUS PRATENSIS ; The Melon-hood.

Habitat. Downs and close-cropped pastures. In groups or
tufts.

Season. July to November. Common.

Pileus. One to two inches across, tawny-buff, dusky or whitish,
glabrous, moist ; convex, then plane but umbonate. Margin thin,
rimose, lobulate, undulate.

Stem. One to two inches high, whitish, sleek, even, attenuate
below, naked.

Section. Flesh thick centrally, whitish, tough. Stem stuffed.
Gills white or dusky, few, distant, thick, arcuate, unequal, deeply
decurrent. Scent like that of melon. Taste pleasing. Spores
white.

Obs. This is a very commendable species, much liked by some Eaglish
fangus-eaters.— ^V. D. H.

100 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

(99.) HYGROPHORUS VIRGINEUS ; The Virgin.

Habitat. On lawns, commons, pastures, downs, etc. In groups.

Season. July to October. Very common.

Pileus. One to two inches across, satin-white, glossy, viscid in
wet, hygrophanous, at length discoloured ; convex, then plane and
umbonate, or depressed, wrinkled, lobulate. Margin thin, trans-
lucent, inflexed at first.

Stem. One inch high, firm, tapered below, satiny white, smooth,
even, cylindrical, naked.

Section. Flesh thin, translucent. Stem stuffed, fibrous. Gills
satiny white, few, thick, unequal, distant, broad, veined, decurrent.
Odour slight. Taste good. Spores white.

Obs. Included in chapter vii. A very excellent comestible. — W.D.H.

Genus LACTARIUS.
Obs. The grand characteristic of this genus is the milky juice which exudes
from the gills or flesh when wounded. In roost species this juice is white like
milk, in some it is coloured, and in some it changes colour on exposure. We
have about thirty species in this country, and they are of common occurrence.
There are but two which are so entirely wholesome and of such excellent quality
as to be really commendable esculents, viz. the Eedmilk and the Kidney.
English fungus-eaters will do well to regard these two apart from their con-
geners. But it would be wrong to confound all the rest together under the ban
of suspicion. In France, Germany, and Eussia a good many kinds are com-
monly eaten, in the last mentioned country loarticularly. Yet many of these
are acrid, and they ought all to be subjected to a certain preparation before
being cooked, for which I have given a receipt. Not otherwise is it agreeable or
perhaps safe to partake of them. Moreover, cautious attention must be paid
to the differences of species, for it will be found that several undoubtedly very
poisonous species of Lactar are included in my list of detrimentals. I here
describe several species which arc freely eaten abroad, and which are therefore
edible, in spite of the great suspicion which their close alliance with poisonous
congeners has caused to be aimed at them. But I do not personally recommend
any of these edibles — except the Eedmilk and the Kidney ; and I advise any
who wish to try them to be very careful in preparing them according to the
process I have elsewhere indicated. — W. D. H.

(100.) LACTARIUS CONTROVERSUS ; The Bloodstain.

Habitat. Under trees on lawns, in woods. In groups.

Season. July to October. Common.

Piletcs. Three to six inches across, white, with blood-red spots
and streaks, floccose at first, then smooth, soapy to the touch, viscid
in wet ; convex, then plane, depressed, sub-infundibuliform.
Margin at first involute and villose, thin, irregular.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 101

Stem. One to two inches higli, white, with blood-red streaks,
thick, unequal, excentric, swollen, base attenuate, naked.

Section. Flesh white, compact, fragile. Milk white, plentiful.
Stem solid. Gills pink, thin, crowded, serrulate, unequal, attenu-
ate, sub-decurrent. Odour slight, pleasant. Taste very acrid.
Spores white.

Obs. Much eaten in France, and dried for storage. Not commendable. —
W. D. H.

(101.) LACTARIUS DELICIOSUS ; The Redmilk.

Habitat. In grassy places under firs, in hilly woods. In
groups.

Season. July to November. Common.

Pileus. Three to five inches across, salmon, zoned with orange-
tawny, smooth, viscid in wet; convex, then plane, depressed, ex-
panding. Margin at first involute and finely tomentose.

Stem. Two to three inches high, salmon-yellow, spotted, firm,
thick, bent, scrobiculate, strigose below, naked.

Section. Flesh thick. Juice abundant, orange-red, becoming
dull olive-green on exposure. Stem stuffed, becoming fistulose.
Gills salmon, stained by juice, broad, distant, forked, decurrent.
Odour good. Taste sharp. Spores whitish.

Obs. In chapter vii. Truly delicious. One of the best of all fungus
esculents. — W. D. H.

(102.) LACTAEIUS MITISSIMUS ; The Bright Lactar.

Habitat. Hedge-banks, woods, wastes. Solitary.

Season. September to November. Not uncommon.

Pileus. One to three inches across, bright orange, smooth,
polished, papillate at first, dry ; convex, then depressed, even.

Stem. One to three inches high, orange, smooth, even, firm, not
stout, naked.

Section. Flesh thin, pallid, fragile. Milk white. Stem stuffed,
at length hollow. Gills pale orange, crowded, thin, at first arcuate,
then straight, narrow, adnate. Odour feeble. Taste bland.
Spores white.

06s. Letellier and others pronounce it esculent. It has not any acridity. —
W. D. H.

102 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BEITISH FUNGI.

(103.) LACTARIUS PIPERATUS ; The Peppery Lactar.

Habitat. On the ground in woods. Scattered.

Seaso7i. July to October. Common.

Piletis. Two to six inches across, white, browning or blackening
where bruised, sub-farinose, glabrous, umbilicate, then infundibuli-
forni, sub-rugulose. Margin involute, then undulate.

Stem. One to three inches high, white, thick, farinose, cylin-
drical, naked.

Section. Flesh white, blackening, thick, compact, brittle. Milk
white, not copious. Stem solid, spongy, becoming fissured. Gills
creamy, or faintly glaucous, bi-owning where bruised, numerous,
straight, narrow, close, nnequal, furcate, adnate, or sub-decurrent.
Odour slight, unpleasant. Taste very peppery. Spores white.

06,5. It is much eaten on the Continent. Badham pronounced it esculent,
but Cooke calls it poisonous ! I find it difficult to remove the acridity, even of
young individuals. — W. D. II.

(104.) LACTARIUS aUIETUS ; The Modest Lactar.

Habitat. In woods. Singly, or in twos and threes.

Season. September to November. Not uncommon.

Pileus. Two to four inches across, liver-brown, at length pale
red, slightly zoned, viscid at first, then dry, smooth ; rounded,
plane, then umbilicate. Margin pale, incurved, pubescent.

Stem. Two inches high, tint of pileus, thick above, firm, cylin-
drical, naked.

Section. Flesh white, compact. Milk white. Stem stuffed,
spongy. Gills at first whitish, soon reddish, unequal, numerous,
narrow, forked below, sub-decurrent. Odour faint, like bugs.
Taste mild. Spores white.

Obs. Eaten about Bordeaux, and held in some estimation. Its scent has
repelled me from trying it. — W. D. II.

(105.) LACTARIUS SUBDULCIS ; The Sweet-milk.

Habitat. In woods. Scattered.

Season. July to November. Common.

Pileus. One to three inches across, tawny or cinnamon, smooth,
dry, polished ; convex, soon umbilicate, with central papilla.
Margin even, at length undulate.

Stem. One to two inches high, tint of pileus, pale, not thick,
equal, sub-pruinosc, naked.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 105

Sectio7i. Flesh thin, reddish. Milk white. Stem stufied, then
hollow. Gills pink, then reddish, unequal, crowded, straight,
narrow, fragile, not furcate, adnate. Odour slight, agreeable.
Taste sweet, eventually sub-acrid. Spores white.

Obs. Too like the poisonous L. rufus to be safely gathered, and also like
L. camphoratus, a species with a bad reputation, smelling of camphor. The
Sweet-milk seems to be a tolerably good esculent, however. — W. D. H,

(106.) LACTARIUS THEIOGALUS ; The Primrose-milk.

Habitat. In woods. Solitary.

Season. September to Ifovember. Uncommon.

Pileus. One to three inches across, tawny-red, somewhat zoned,
glabrous, dry ; convex, then depressed, irregular. Margin thin,
viscid at first, shining.

Stevi. One to two inches high, tint of pileus, smooth, even,
thickish, naked.

Section. Flesb yellowish, thick centrally. Milk white, changing
to primrose-yellow. Stem stuffed. Gills pink, then reddish,
crowded, thin, narrow, fragile, unequal, straight, adnate. Odour
slight. Taste bitter. Spores yellowish.

Obs. Paulet and Leveille have demonstrated by experiment that this species
is harmless, and it seems to be eaten abroad. But it is ill-flavoured and not
commendable. — W. D. H.

(107.) LACTARIUS TORMINOSUS ; The Fringed Lactar.

Habitat. In woods, shrubberies, and wastes. Scattered.

Season. June to October. Not uncommon.

Pileus. Two to five inches across, strawberry red, zoned, smooth,
at first viscid; convex, then unibilicate, even. Margin involute,
thickly villose.

Stem. Two to three inches high, tint of pileus, pale, thickish,
smooth, sleek, equal, tomentose, naked.

Section. Flesh thickish, white, firm, feeling soapy. Milk white.
Stem stuffed, soon hollow. Gills yellowish-pink, straight, unequal,
thin, narrow, sub-decurrent. Odour feeble. Taste very acrid.
Spores white.

Obs. Letellier and others pronounce it esculent, and it seems to be eaten in
France and Russia. The ill-fame of the malignant L. rufus appears to have
been unjustly attached to it. But it cannot be commended. — W. D. H.

104 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

(108.) LACTARIUS TURPIS ; The Dirty Lactar.

Habitat. In woods of fir and pine. Scattered.

Season. June to October. Common.

Pileus. Three to seven inches across, buff or olive-brown,
glabi'ous, sub-viscid ; convex, depressed, rigid. Margin involute,
pale, tomentose, at length perhaps sulcate.

Stem. One to three inches high, tint of pileus, pale, thick,
attenuate below, viscid or dry, not spotted, naked.

Section. Flesh compact, pallid. Milk white. Stem stuffed.
Gills pallid, then reddish, thin, numerous, unequal, straight, adnate.
Odour musty. Taste very acrid. Spores white.

Obs. Lenz and others pronoimce it esculent, though it has been stigmatised
deleterious. It certainly cannot be much commended. — W. D. H.

(109.) LACTARIUS VOLEMUS ; The Kidney.

Habitat. In woods. Singly.

Season. June to September. Not common.

Pileus. Thi'ee to four inches across, rich golden-tawny or orange-
brown, dry, not zoned, smooth, eventually rimose, sub-pulverulent ;
convex, then obtuse, depresso-umbonate. Margin inflexed, not
involute at first, wrinkled.

Stem. Two to three inches high, tint of pileus, pale, pruinose,
stout, hard, unequal, perhaps grooved, naked.

Section. Flesh thick, white, compact. Milk white, brownino-
on exposure. Stem solid, spongy. Gills pallid, then pale buff,
browning where bruised, numerous, unequal, straight, adnate and
almost decurrent. Odour pleasing. Taste sweet and mild. Spores
white.

Obs. In chapter vii. A most delicious and truly first-class esculent. —
W. D. H.

Genus LENTINUS.

(110.) LENTINUS TIGRINUS ; The Tiger- tuft. (PI. IV. fig. 6.)
Habitat. On old willow, poplar, and elm trunks. In tufts.
Season. July to October. Uncommon.

Fileus. Two to three inches across, yellowish, covered with
small, tawny, numerous, and silky scales, thickset towards centre ;

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 10;

orbicular, nmbilicate, irregular, almost infundibuliform. Margin
rounded, pendent, depressed, split.

Stem. One to two inches high, tint of pileus, squamosa, slender,
unequal, twisted, continuous. Veil fragmentary, fugacious.

Section. Flesh white, thin, fragile at first, then tough. Stem
solid. Gills creamy, yellowish, crowded, unequal, sinuate, narrow,
finely crenulate, pointed, decurrent. Odour strong, pleasant.
Flavour good. Spores white.

Ohs. While young a good esculent. Must be cooked at once, as it toughens
if kept. Another species, Lent. Duualii, is probably also esculent. — W. D. H.

Genus LEPISTA.

(111.) LEPISTA NUDA ; The Wood Blewit. (PL III. fig. 3.)

Habitat. In woods, especially of fir and pine. In groups.

Season. July to October. Common.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, pale lilac, discoloured,
smooth, moist ; convex, obtuse, then expanded, depresso-umbonate,
plane, or waved and concave. Margin thin, glabrous, involute.

Stem. One or two inches high, lilac, farinose above, tomentose
below, thickish, sub-incrassate, elastic, naked.

Section. Flesh thick centrally, lilac, brittle. Stem stuffed.
Gills lilac, then tawny, crowded, narrow, unequal, pointed before,
rounded behind, venate, adnate or sub-decurrent. Odourless.
Taste good. Spores whitish.

Obs. In chapter vii. A good esculent. Somewhat local in growth. A
correspondent tells me he has seen it abundant about Killarney, and has largely
eaten of it.— IF. D. H.

(112.) LEPISTA PEESONATA ; The Blewit.

Habitat. In pastures. In rings or groups.

Season. September to November. Common.

Pileus. Two to six inches across, pallid, grey, or partly lilac,
glabrous, sleek, even, moist ; convex, expanded. Margin involute,
sub-tomentose.

Stem. One to three inches high, tinted with violet or lilac,
farinose or tomentose, thick, firm, naked, incrassate.

Section. Flesh pallid, firm. Stem solid, mottled, hollow in age.
Gills pallid, perhaps stained with lilac, obscurely pink where

106 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

hrnised, crowded, bi'oad, narrow before, rotinded behind, free.
Odour aromatic. Taste good. Spores pallid.

Ohx. In chapter vii. When fresh, not <at all decayed or rainsoaked, it is
a first-class viand. It has always been favourably regarded in England. —
W. D. H.

Genus MARASMIUS.

(113.) MARASMIUS ALLIACEUS ; The Little Onion-cap.

Habitat. Among dead leaves in hilly woods. In groups or
scattered.

Season. October and November. Rare.

Fileus. One inch across, grey-white, perhaps reddish, smooth,
then striate ; campanulate, then expanded, plane, sub-umbonate.

Stem. Two inches high, elongate, blackish, slender, rigid,
velvety or pruinose, naked. Base curved and rooting.

Section. Flesh membranaceous. Stem hollow, horny. Gills
pallid, brownish, unequal, pointed before, rounded behind, distant,
free. Odour and flavour of onion. Spores white.

Obs. Small and scarce. It can be used instead of onion, fresh or dried. —
W. D. U.

(114.) MARASMIUS OREADES ; The Oread. (PI. I. fig. 4.)

Habitat. On pastures, downs, commons, meadows. In ring's.

Season. July to October. Very common.

Fileus. Half to two inches across, fawn or buff ; conical, then
convex, plane, sub-umbonate, smooth ; inverted, sinuate, crisped,
and dark in wet ; wrinkled, shrivelled, and pale in dry weather.

Stem. One to three inches high, tint of pileus, pale, equal,
twisted, tough, elastic, slender, silky, not villose, naked, root-
ing-

Section. Flesh thin, white. Stem solid, fibrous. Gills tint of
pileus, pale, unequal, not numerous, distant, ventricose, broad,
free. Odour aromatic. Flavour decided, aromatic. Spores
white.

Obs. In chapter vii. Always very highly esteemed by English fungus-
eaters, though not valued much abroad. There has been a disposition to call
it the Chamfignon, but that is the generic French title for all mushrooms, and
should not be used for one in particular. The Oread is very commendable. —
W. D. II.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 107

(115.) MARASMIUS PORREUS ; The Garlic-cap.

Habitat. Among fallen leaves. In groups.

Season. October and November. Uncommon.

Pileus. Half to two inches across, pallid, disc ochry, opaque ;
convex, then plane, orbicnlar, depressed. Margin thin, striate.

Stem. Two to three inches high, red-brown, slender, tough,
incrassate above and below, tomentose, naked. Base villose.

Section. Flesh membranaceous, tough. Stem stuffed, at length
hollow. Gills pale fawn, distant, firm, truncate, remote. Odour
and taste of garlic. Spores white.

Obs. This and the other alliaceous mushrooms are a good deal employed on
the Continent.— fF. D. H.

(116.) MARASMIUS SCORODONIUS ; The Little Shallot-cap.

Habitat. On heaths, commons, hill pastures, stubble-fields, etc.
In groups.

Season. July to September. Rather common.

Pileus. Half to one inch across, pale red-buff ; convex and
smooth, then plane and rugose ; tough, even, thin, elastic.

Stem. One inch high, red-brown, slender, glabrous, polished,
equal, scarcely rooting.

Section. Flesh thin, tough. Stem hollow. Gills pallid, crisped,
distant, adnate. Odour and taste like shallot. Spores white.

Obs. May be used dry or fresh to impart its flavour to soups, gravies, etc.
—W. D. H.

Genus PANUS.

(117.) PANUS CONCHATUS ; The Conch.

Habitat. On trees. In tufts.

Season. August to December. Uncommon.

Pileus. Two to five inches across, pinky-buff or pale tan,
glabi^ous, then squamulose, thin, flaccid, tough; excentric, dimi-
diate, unequal, irregular, conchate or infundibuliform. Sessile.
Base unequal, tomentose.

Section. Flesh thick centrally, white, tough. Gills pinkish or
buff, attenuate behind, branched, anastomosing, pointed before and
behind, deeply decurrent. Odour and flavour farinaceous. Spores
white.

Obs. It is a good edible, and should be dressed like the Oyster. Must not
be confounded with P. stypticus. — W. D. H.

lOS A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

(118.) PANUS TORULOSUS ; The Bavarian Sprout. (PI. V.

fig. 1.)

Habitat. On stumps, cliiefly of bircli. In tufts.

Season. August to October. Uncommon.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, red-buff or flesh colour,
smooth, sleek, leathery ; dimidiate, depressed, concave. Margin
incurved, thin, perhaps split. Sessile. Base thick, oblique,
greyish, tomentose.

Section. Flesh pallid, tliickish, tough. Gills pale tan, or red-
dish, unequal, not crowded, serrulate, a little crisped, pointed
before and behind, decurrent. Odour and taste pleasing. Spores
white.

Obs. Eesembles the preceding. It seems to be very plentiful in Bavaria,
and is much esteemed there. It appears to be exported thence to France under
the name of Chair de Baviere. — W. D. H.

Genus PAXILLUS.

(119,) PAXILLUS INVOLUTUS ; The Paxil. (PL III. fig. 2.)

Habitat. On the ground in and about woods and copses.
Scattered and singly.

Season. June to November. Very common.

Fileus. Three to six inches across, clay-colour, dull rusty brown,
mottled, moist, viscid in wet ; compactly convex, then plane and
depressed, ii-regular, sinuate or repand. Margin involute, tomen-
tose, striate when unrolled.

Stem. One to three inches high, tint of pileus, pale, thick,
blunt, continuous, naked, perhaps bent or excentric, tapered to
base, firm, sub-tomentose or rough.

Section. Flesh thick, firm, yellowish, becoming rusty where cut.

Stem solid. Gills pale ochre, rusty where bruised, numerous, thin,

unequal, moniliform below, furcate, anastomosing, broad, attenuate

back and front, separable, decurrent. Odour of musty meal.

Taste bland. Spores rusty brown.

Ohs. In chapter vii. It must not be confounded with any of the Lactars
growing side by side with it, but it is easily recognisable. It is of inferior
llavour and tough, but wholesome, substantial, and nutritious. I think our
])easantry and rural poor might be benefited by knowing of it, as is the case
abroad.— jr. D, II.

Genus RUSSULA.
Obs. We have twenty-eight species, of which eleven are esculent and several

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 109

of the remainder poisonous. I should certainly recommend all the esculents
for popular use were it not that there is immense difficulty in differentiating
some of them from others. They vary in tint, and are extremely similar, so
that though nothing is easier than to distinguish Eussules from other genera,
it is only an expert who can certainly determine the several species. The
edible Eussules are remarkably nice and dainty, and are extremely common.
I have placed two of them — the Bisotte and Verdette— in chapter vii., because
those species can be pretty easily recognised. Some others, such as E. alutacea,
are not hard to distinguish, when one has grown accustomed to handling mush-
rooms and observing their characters, and I recommend readers to compare
their points and acquire knowledge of them. In France they are largely and indis-
criminately eaten, and to guard against accidents, it appears to be usual to steep
them in vinegar, which is said to destroy the hurtful principle of the poisonous
kinds. But the objection to this plan is that it quite spoils the delicate flavour
of the good esculents. I therefore advise readers to learn to distinguish such
species as are most dissimilar from the poisonous Eussules, and to be content
with eating those only. — W. D. H.

(120.) RUSSULA ALUTACEA ; The Baff-gilled Redcap.

Habitat. In woods and parks. Singly and in groups.

Season. July to November. Common.

Pileus. Three to four inches across, usually dark lake-red,
sometimes pinky, or red lilac, smooth, viscid in wet ; rounded,
expanded, plane, depressed. Margin thin, even, then irregular,
pale, eventually striate or tuberculose. Cuticle separable.

Stem. One to three inches high, white, perhaps stained with
red or buff, sub-rugulose, glabrous, thick, blunt, swollen above
base.

Section. Flesh white, thickish, brittle, red under cuticle. Stem

solid, spongy. Gills creamy buff, broad, equal, thick, sub-distant,

straight, venate, free. Odourless. Taste mild, acrid in age.

Spores buff.

Obs. Distinguished by the colour of its giUs. Very good and quite whole-
some, though Badham thought it was unsafe. I have often enjoyed it. When
mature and acrid, the unpleasantness is removable by double scalding and
rinsing. — IF. D. H,

(121.) RUSSULA AVRkTA; The Golden-cap.

Habitat. In woods of pine and fir. Solitary.

Season. July to October. Not common.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, bright golden yellow, smooth,
polished ; convex, plane, rigid. Margin striate. Cuticle insepar-
able.

Stem. Two to three inches high, lemon, pale, blunt, stout,
cylindrical, naked, sub-striate.

110 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

Section. Flesh thick, compact, brittle, pale lemon. Stem solid,
spongy. Gills white -with yellow margins, broad, equal, sub-
distant, shining, rounded behind, free. Scentless. Taste mild,
slightly acrid in age. Spores yellowish.

Obs. Wholesome and good. When old should be doubly scalded and rinsed.
—W. D. H.

(122.) RUSSULA CYANOXANTHA ; The Chameleon.

Habitat. In open glades of woods. Singly or in groups.

Season. August to October. Not uncommon.

Pileus. Two to four inches across, lilac, or dull blue and lilac
mixed with yellow, rugose, spotted, disc pale; convex, then plane,
depressed, perhaps concave. Margin blue, even, sub-striate.
Cuticle adnate, except at margin.

Stem. Two to three inches high, white, stained with pink or
bufE, cylindrical, perhaps bent, venate, rugose, naked, at length
lacunose.

Section. Flesh thick, white, red under cuticle, cheesy. Stem
solid, spongy. Gills white, thick, straight, equal, broad, veined,
sub-distant, furcate, rounded behind, free but approximate. Odour
and taste pleasing. Spores white.

Ohs. Of first-rate quality. Akin to K. vesca, but often like the Bisotte. —
W. D. H.

(123.) RUSSULA DECOLORANS ; Badham's Redcap.

Habitat. In woods, under beeches. Scattered.

Season. July to November. Common.

Pileus. Two to four inches across, dull crimson, paling at length,
smooth, polished ; spherical at first, then convex, plane, depressed.
Margin thin, even. Cuticle separable.

Stem. One to three inches high, white, then dingy, cylindrical,
rugose, thick, blunt, swollen above base, naked.

Section. Fle.sh thin, firm, white, creamy when dried. Stem
solid, spongy, at length dusky within. Gills white, pale creamy
in age, fragile, veined, thick, broad, simple, equal, attenuate be-
hind, free. Odour faint. Taste bland. Spores creamy.

Obs. This appears to be the species called " Agaricus ruber " by Dr. Badham,
and recommended as an edible by him. It is certainly a good comestible, but
must be cautiously distinguished. — W. L, II.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. Ill

(124.) RUSSULA DEPALLENS ; The Bleached-cap.

Habitat. Borders of woods, heaths, mossy banks. In groups.

Season. June to October. Not uncommon.

Pileus. One to three inches across, pale red, becoming whitish
or huffish, opaque, perhaps viscid; convex, then irregular, undu-
late. Margin even, at length sub-striate. Cuticle thin, adnate.

Stem. One to two inches high, white, at length dingy, firm,
stoutish, enlarged above, smooth, naked.

Section. Flesh white, compact, brittle. Stem solid. Gills
pallid, fragile, crowded, equal, furcate, broad, adnexed. Odourless.
Taste bland. Spores white.

Ohs. It is quite devoid of acridity and perfectly wholesome. — W. D. H.

(125.) RUSSULA FURCATA ; The Fork-gilled Green-cap.

Habitat. Dry bare woods. Singly or scattered.

Season. June to September. Uncommon.

Pileus. Three to four inches across, dull olive-green, smooth,
sleek, moist in wet ; convex, then plane, depressed. Margin thin,
even, smooth, at first incurved.

Stem. One to three inches high, white, stout, rigid, tapered
below, smooth, naked.

Section. Flesh white, thickish, dry, brittle. Stem stufPed,
spongy, hollow in age. Gills white, distant, thick, equal, bifurcate
at their middle, adnate. Odour slight. Taste bitterish saline.
Spores white.

Obs. The species has lain under suspicion, but Hartig, Paulet, and Cordier
have proved it to be innocuous. I find it to be of unpleasant flavour, and
recommend it to be left alone. It is readily distinguishable from the Bisotte by
its forked gills, its taste, and its smooth, sleek, uniformly tinted cap. — IV. D. H.

(126.) RUSSULA HETEROPHYLLA ; The Bisotte.

Habitat. Open woods and wastes. Scattered.

Season. July to October. Common.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, tint varied, dull green, gi-ey,
brown, but never red or purplish, smooth, even, minutely reticulate ;
convex, then plane, depressed. Margin thin, even, finely striate.
Cuticle thin, separable.

Stem. Two to three inches high, white, stout, rigid, unequal,
sub-rugulose, a little swollen above, blunt, naked.

112 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BEITISH FUNGI.

Section. Flesh white, thick, brittle. Stem stuffed, at length
fistulose. Gills watery white, thin, crowded, narrow, dimidiate,
attenuate behind, nearly equal, almost free. Odour and taste bland
and pleasant. Spores Avhite.

06s. In chapter vii. I strongly recommend it. — W. D. H.

(127.) RUSSULA LACTEA ; The Milky-cap.

Habitat. Under beeches, and in woods. Scattered.

Season. July to September. Uncommon.

P ileus. Two to thi-ee inches across, milk-white, creamy at
length, dry, opaque, perhaps rivulose ; convex, then plane, perhaps
depressed. Margin thin, rounded, even, perhaps split.

Stem. One to two inches high, very stout, white, rigid, cylin-
drical, blunt, naked.

Section. Flesh white, thick, compact. Stem solid, spongy.
Gills white, thick, distant, firm, broad, equal, rather branched,
projecting, free or adnexed. Odourless. Taste sweet and good.
Spores white.

Obs, It is sometimes plentiful, as I have seen it in Blenheim Park. Its
■vvholesomeness has been well attested, and it is of good flavour. — IV, D. H.

(128.) RUSSULA LEPIDA ; The Rosy-cap.

Habitat. Under beeches and oaks. In groups.

Season. August to October. Common.

Fileus. Two to four inches across, rosy, paling where exposed,
opaque, farinose or sericeo-squamulose, rimose ; convex, then plane,
sub-depressed, rounded. Margin even, at first incurved, pale or
whitish, perhaps split.

Stem. Two to three inches high, white, flushed Avith rose, stout,
smooth, blunt, perhaps swollen below or bent, naked, lacunose.

Section. Flesh Avhite, thick, brittle, cheesy. Stem solid. Gills
white, broad, thick, equal, close, straight, rounded before, adnexed.
Odour slight. Taste bland and sweet. Spores white.

Ohs. Much commended, but it must be carefully differentiated from the
noxious R. emetica, which is very like it. Mrs. Hussey especially commended
this species, but she thought every individual should be tasted when gathered,
to make sure no acrid species were taken by mistake. The rosy cuticle of
II. lepida becomes green in cooking. — W. D. H.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 113

(129.) EUS3ULA VESCA; The Ruby-cap.

Hahitat. In open woodlands. Scattered.

Season. July to October. Common.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, ruby red, darkest on disc,
rugulose, streaked, viscid; convex, then plane, much depressed.
Margin even, tuberculose, or sub-striate, at length elevated.
Cuticle thin, separable at margin.

Stem. Two inches high, white, reticulate or rugose, firm, stout,
tapered downward, blunt, naked.

Section. Flesh thickish, white, reddish under cuticle, cheesy.
Stem solid. Gills white, crowded, equal, furcate, broad in front,
attenuate behind, adnexed. Odour slight. Flavour mild and nice.
Spores white.

Obs. An excellent viand, but it must be carefully distinguished from the
noxious R. rubra.— ir. D. H.

(130.) RUSSULA VIRESCENS; The Verdette.

Habitat. In woods and wastes. Scattered or in groups.

Season. July to October. Common.

Pileus. Three to four inches aci-oss, pale livid green, tinted with
yellow, chequered and areolate, dry, opaque ; at first globose, then
expanded, convexo-plane, sub-depressed, irregularly rounded.
Margin even, obtuse, often depressed, cuticle warty, adnate.

Stem. One to three inches high, white^. stout, sub-rugulose,
unequal, bent, blunt, naked.

Section. Flesh white, thickish, cheesy. Stem solid. Gills white,
straight, close, nearly equal, anastomosed below, firm, elastic, free.
Odour agreeable. Taste mild and sweet. Spores white.

Obs. In chapter vii. It is the best of the Russules, and far more dainty
than the Pratelles.— JI". D. H.

ORDER AURICULARINL
Genus CRATERELLUS.

(131.) CRATERELLUS CORNUCOPIOIDES ; The Craterelle.
(PI. IX. fig. 2.)

Hahitat. On the ground in woods. In small tufts.

Season. July to November. Uncommon.

Habit. Shaped like a trumpet, funnel, or cornucopeia, wide
above, apex thin, hollow, rooting. Sessile.

114 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BEITISH FUNGI.

Pileus. Internal. About three inclies across at mouth of funnel,
brown-black, shaggy or squamulose, continuous downward within
funnel. Margin flanged out, sinuate, lobulate, irregular.

Hymenium. External. Pale grey brown, wrinkled, veined,
decurrent.

Section. Flesh thin, membranaceous, tough, elastic. Odourless.
Taste insipid.

Ohs. It is a wholesome edible, but of inferior quality. Other members of
the genus are eaten abroad, but are not found here. The remaining British
species have not been tested. — W. D. H,

OBDEB GLAVABIEI.

Genus CLAVARIA.

Ohs. There is no evidence of any Clavaria being actually noxious, though
some may be inedible by reason of toughness or bad flavour. I have been in the
habit of eating them without much discrimination, and find them very tasty, so
have placed them in chapter vii. The species now to be named are most suit-
able for use. I think them quite worth the trouble there is in picking and
cleaning them. — W. D. H.

(132.) CLAVARIA AMETHYSTINA ; The Amethystine.

Habitat. On the ground in woods. In tufts.

Season. August to November. Uncommon.

Habit. A bunch of branches rising from a common trunk, about
three inches high, violet. Branchlets numerous, large, fragile,
smooth, rounded, even, simple, not undulate. Flesh soft. Odour
faint. Taste good. Spores white.

Obs. Excellent. Has a nice flavour peculiar to the species. — W. D. H.

(133.) CLAVARIA AUREA ; The Burning Bush.

Habitat. On the ground in woods. In tufts.

Season. October and November. Uncommon.

Habit. Two to four inches high, golden yellow. Trunk pallid,
thick, elastic, often elongate, perhaps obsolete. Branches numerous,
stout, straight, unequal, rounded. Bi-anchlets dichotomous, toothed.
Scent and flavour good. Spores yellow.

Ohs. Of capital quality. Possibly identical with the exotic C. flava. —
W. D. H.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 115

(134.) CLAVARIA BOTRYTIS ; The Goat's-beard.

Habitat. On the ground in woods. Singly.

Season. July to October. Uncommon.

Habit. Two to three inches high, pale white. Trunk thick,
fleshy, unequal. Branches thick, swollen, short, numerous, unequal,
rugulose. Branchlets short, compressed, red-tipped, denticulate.
Odourless. Taste good. Spores white.

Obs, Of more substance than sundry of the others, and of excellent flavour.
—W. D. H.

(135.) CLAVARIA CINEREA ; The Rat's-paw.

Habitat. On the ground in woods. In tufts.

Season. August to IS^ovember. Common.

Habit. Two to three inches high, dingy grey. Trunk thick,
short, spreading. Branches numerous, fragile, irregular, unequal,
swollen, rounded, rugose, deformed. Branchlets of like character.
Odourless. Taste mild. Spores pallid.

Ohs. Quite good, but a little inferior in quality. — W. D. H,

(136.) CLAVARIA CORALLOIDES ; The White Coral-tuft.

Habitat. In damp woods, under firs and hollies. In tufts.

Season. September to November. Common.

Habit. One to two iaches high, snow-white. Trunk short, thick,
hollow. Branches irregular, numerous, short, fragile, dilating.
Branchlets bundled, unequal, crowded, serrate, pointed. Odour
feeble. Taste good. Spores white.

Obs. A good species, though small, and difficult to pick clean. — W. D. H.

(137.) CLAVARIA CRISTATA; The Feather-tuft.

Habitat. In shady woods. In scattered tufts.

Season. September to November. Common.

Habit. One or two inches high, pallid, white, or dingy. Trunk
short, small, even, stuffed. Branches numerous, short, tough.
Branchlets crowded, serrate, dilate, fimbriate. Odour feeble
Taste bland. Spores dingy.

Obs. Very small, but often abundant. It is very nice. — W. D. H.

116 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

(138.) CLAVARIA FASTIGIATA ; The Yellow-twig.

Habitat. Among moss and grass in pastures, woods, heaths, etc.
Scattered.

Season. August to November. Common.

Hahit. About one inch high, yellow. Trunk short, small.
Branches numerous, short, divaricate, fasciculate, smooth, toughish.
Branchlets tapered, pointed, equal, straight, vertical. Odour
sweet. Taste good. Spores yellowish.

Ohs. Very plentiful and pleasant-flavoured. C. umbrina resembles it, and is
probably equally good. — iV. D. II.

(139.) CLAVARIA FORMOSA ; The Elegante.

Habitat. On the ground in woods, heaths, pastures, and com-
mons. Singly.

Season. August to November. Rare.

Habit. One to four inches high. Trunk white, thick, fleshy,
spreading. Branches orange, thick, elongate, rounded, serrate.
Branchlets yellow, numerous, rounded, fasciculate, dentate, blunt.
Flesh white. Odourless. Taste good. Spores buff.

Ohs. It bears the reputation of being peculiarly well flavoured, but it is
scarce. — W. D. H.

(140.) CLAVARIA FUSIFORMIS ; The Golden Spindlespike.
(PI. XI. fig. 3.)

Habitat. Among grass and fern. In bundled tufts.

Season. August to November. Common.

Habit. One to five inches high, egg-yolk yellow. Spikes
densely fasciculate, firm, simple, smooth, fusiform, attenuate above
and below, tough, elastic, fibrous, slender, elongate, upright, twisted.
Odour slight. Taste slightly styptic. Spores yellow.

Obs. In chapter vii. I relish its flavour much, and find it light and easy of
digestion, though tough if not properly sweated with butter. It is often found
in large bundles. I have gathered one such in Richmond Park weighing over
three pounds. — W. D. U.

(141.) CLAVARIA GRISEA ; The Grey-twig.
Habitat. In woods and on moors. Scattered.
Season. September to November. -Uncommon.
Habit. One to three inches high, dingy grey. Trunk thick,
attenuate below, spreading. Branches not numerous, rugulose,

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BEITISH FUNGI. 117

rounded, tapered. Branchlets many, unequal, blunt, slight, elas-
tic, toothed. Scent sweet. Taste agreeably bitter. Spores
brownish.

Obs. Plentiful in some localities. A pretty good edible.— IT. D. H.

(142.) CLAVARIA MUSCOIDES ; The Moss-gold.

Habitat. Among thick moss. Scattered.

Season. August to October. Common.

Habit. Two or three inches high, egg-yolk yellow. Trunk
slight, slender, tomentose. Branches few, graceful, slender, dis-
tant, smooth. Branchlets elongate, tapered, arcuate, unequal,
pointed. Odourless. Taste piquant. Spores yellow.

Obs. It is good, though sparing in quantity. May be mingled with other
species.— TF. D. H.

(143.) CLAVARIA PISTILLARIS ; The Dryad's Club.

Habitat. Among grass, fern, and undergrowth. Singly, or by
twos and threes.

Season. September to November. Uncommon.

Habit. Four to twelve inches high, dull tawny or red-brown,
simple, club-shaped, large, fleshy, stuffed, smooth, obovate above,
tapered to base, perhaps bent or not vertical. Odour slight.
Taste bitterish. Spores white.

Obs. Though wholesome, it is tough and poor in flavour. Young individuals
only should be gathered. — W. D. H.

(144.) CLAVARIA RUGOSA ; The Wrinkle-twig.

Habitat. Damp corners of shady woods. Scattered.

Season. August to November. Common.

Habit. One to three inches high, pallid or dingy. Trunk
almost simple, thick, attenuate below, rugose. Branches few,
irregular, rounded, rugose, dilate, furcate, blunt. Odour slight.
Taste good. Spores white.

Obs. Pretty plentiful, and of excellent quality, though small. — W. D. H.

(145.) CLAVARIA VERMICULATA; The Little White Fascine.
Habitat. On lawns, meadows, amid short grass. In bundles.
Season. August to November. Common.

118 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

Habit. One to three inclies liigh, white, simple, in bnnches
looking like miniature bundles of tallow candles, fragile, nearly
even, smooth, usually vertical, sometimes twisted, bluntly pointed.
Odour slight. Taste pleasant. Spores white.

Ohs. Often plentiful in garden-grounds, and a very excellent comestible. —
W. D. H.

Genus SPARASSIS.

(146.) SPARASSIS CRISPA; The Sparassis. (PI. XI. fig. I.)

Habitat. On moors, and at the foot of trees in young planta-
tions. Singly.

Season. July to October. Rare.

Habit. A mass of crisp, petaloid, or ligulate branches, of creamy
fawn tint, forming a tuft six or eight inches high, and perhaps
twenty inches across. Trunk short, thick, rooting, spreading
above. Branches many, fragile, ligulate or petaloid, interlaced,
rugose, the tips laciniate, curled. Odour of mouldy meal. Taste
strong. Spores creamy.

Obs. So scarce, I have only met with it once. It is well known to be a good
esculent, and possesses a good but peculiar flavour. It may be cut up and
cooked like Clavarias. It quickly putrifies. — IF. D. H.

OBDEB HYBNEI.

Genus HYDNVM.

Obs. Of the twenty-nine British species of this genus, eight may be called
esculent. The rest are of inedible substance, but none of them are known to be
poisonous. — W. D. II.

(147.) HYDNUM AURISCALPIUM ; The Fir-cone Sprout.

Habitat. On half-buried rotting fir-cones. Singly.

Season. October to December. Common locally.

Fileus. Half to one inch across, bright red-brown, then dusky,
perhaps zoned ; rounded, reniform, lobulate, dimidiate, tomentose.

Stein. One to three inches high, tint of pilous, elongate, slen-
der, straight, lateral, villoso-tomentose, rooting.

Section. Flesh thin, brown, tough. Stem stuffed. Spines pale
brown, equal, adnexed. Odour aromatic. Taste resinous.

Obs. Of very inferior quality as an esculent, yet commonly eaten in France
and Italy.— IF. D. II.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BEITISH FUNGL 119

(148.) HYDNUM CAPUT-MEDUSiE ; The Medusa's Head.

Habitat. On trunks of dead trees. Solitary.

Season. July to September. Rare.

Habit. Large, fleshy, size of a man's head, snow-white, then
dingy. Trunk short, thick, enlarging upwards into a pileus which
terminates in a mass of spines. The spines are slender, simple,
elongate, pointed, at first upright, then bent, contorted, drooping,
irregular, unequal. Odour and taste agreeable.

Ohs. A singular-looking species, scarce here, but common in Italy, where it
is much eaten, and is regarded as an esculent of good quality. — W. D. H.

(149.) HYDNUM CORALLOIDES ; The Faun's Delight.

Habitat. ' On old oaks, firs, beeches, and ash trees. Singly,

Season. July to November. Rare.

Habit. At first pure white, sprouting like a cauliflower, at
length creamy yellow. Trunk fleshy, thick, small at base, spread-
ing and branching. Branches attenuate, intricate, interlaced,
flexuose, angular, forked, elongate. Branchlets numerous, short,
incurved, imbricate, bearing the spines in long, pendant tassels.
Odour and taste agreeable.

Ohs. One may say of this singular and beautiful plant, " When found make
a note of," and, it may be added — eat ! Here it is very rare, but abroad it has
been pronounced a first-class viand. — W. D. H.

(150.) HYDNUM ERINACEUS; The Satyr's Beard.

Habitat. In clefts of old oaks and beeches, often high up and
quite hidden. In clumps.

Season. August to November (?) Uncommon.

Pileus. Five to nine inches across, yellowish-fawn, pale tan;
lateral, obtuse, immarginate, sessile ; upper surface fibrillose, the
fibres fasciculate, outer edge bearing spines. Base short, thick,
lateral, recurved above.

Spines. Tint of pileus, numerous, one to three inches long,
thin, pendulous, imbricate, regular, close set, connected, soft,
attenuate.

Section. Flesh soft, tough, elastic, white, thick. Odour fra-
grant. Taste good.

Ohs. Not so rare, but hard to find and get at. It is a first-class esculent,
digestible, and eats like the Pratelle. — W. D. H.

120 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BKITISH FUNGI.

(151.) HYDNUM FRAGILE ; The Pine-iree Urchin.

Habitat. At the foot of pine trees. Singly.

Season. August to November. Uncommon.

Pileus. Three to six inches across, whitish, soon dusky red-
fawn, at first pubescent, then smooth, perhaps rugulose, waved,
irregular, repand. Margin undulate, lobulate, gi'eyish.

Stem. Two to three inches high, tint of pileus, pale, short,
unequal, thick, firm, smooth, central.

Section. I'lesh greyish, not thick, soft, fragile. Spines dusky,
slender, elongate, acute, crowded. Odour and taste aromatic.
Spores grey.

Obs. A little-known esculent. It is of poor quality. — W. D. H.

(152.) HYDNUM IMBRICATUM ; The Scaly Urchin.

Habitat. On the ground in fir and pine woods. In groups.

Season. August to November. Common locally.

Pileus. Three to five inches across, umber, perhaps tawny,
squamose ; convex, rounded, then plane, depressed, of irregular
outline. Scales thick, flaky, numerous, erect, imbricate.

Stem. Short, white, stout, irregular, smooth, rigid.

Section. Flesh pale buff, thick, compact, tough. Stem solid.
Spines dingy white, numerous, short, equal, smooth, decurrent.
Odourless. Taste good. Spores fawn.

Obs. A fairly good esculent, but inferior to the succeeding. It is apt to be
tough.— T^'. D. //.

(153.) HYDNUM REPANDUM; The Urchin of the Woods.
(PI. VIII. fig. 4.)

Habitat. On bare ground in woods ; amid grass and fern in
glades and parks; on yellow clay soils. In groups, and con-
fluent.

Season. August to October. Common.

Pileus. One to six inches across, pale creamy buff; compact,
irregular, sinuate, arcuate, repand, smooth. Margin irregular,
undulate.

Stem. One to three inches high, pale creamy buff, stout, un-
equal, deformed, excentric, perhaps finely tomentose.

Section. Flesh white, unchanging, thick, firm, compact. Stem
solid. Spines creamy buff, looking velvety in the mass, short,

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 121

unequal, conical, fragile, separable, decurrent. Odour slight. Taste
faintly aci-id. Spores cream-colour.

Obs. Included in chapter vil. I esteem it one of the very best edible
fungi. Abroad it is much eaten, but considered less recherche than the Chan-
tarelle. However, I think I prefer it of the two. I am told it is very abundant
in the woods bordering the White Sea, We might profitably import it thence,
if the British public could be awaked to a just appreciation of it. It is common
enough here. — W. D. H.

(154.) HYDNUM EUFESCENS ; The Red Urchin.

Habitat. On bare ground in woodlands ; under pines and oaks.
Solitary, confluent, or in groups.

Season. August to October. Not very common.

Fileiis. One to four inches across, tawny or red-tan ; compact,
irregular, undulate, lobulate, repand ; smooth or finely tomentose.
Margin arcuate, sinuate, acute.

Stem. One to two inches high, white, at length tawny, stout,
irregular, compressed, excentric.

Section. Flesh white, turning tawny where exposed, thick, com-
pact, brittle. Stem solid. Spines whitish, then buif, numerous,
unequal, conical, short, fragile, decurrent. Odour of horse-radish.
Taste pungent and bitterish. Spores whitish.

Ohs. In chapter vii. It has been regarded as a mere variety of H. repan-
dum ; but I find it differs a good deal in locality as well as in habit, and
deserves specific place. It is good, but not quite so excellent as the other. —
W, D. H.

OBDEB POLYPOBEL
Genus BOLETUS.

Obs. I would here refer the reader to the remarks on the Bolets which I
have made in chapter vii. I repeat that the blackish-blue stain which affects
many species when bruised is not any indication as to whether that species be
esculent or noxious. The natural tint of the Pores is a more reliable guide, and
should be attentively studied by comparison. There are nineteen species well
attested to be wholesome edibles, and their great abundance and large size
ought to make them valuable. Yet it is this genus which bears the deepest
stigma among our country folk, and to which they most emphatically apply the
opprobrious epithet of " toadstools." In the other catalogue I shall describe
such Bolets as are really noxious, and shall also indicate the remaining British
species whose qualities have not been ascertained as yet. The amount of
nutritious food offered by Bolets every year is something prodigious, and this
at present goes all to waste in England. I deplore the fact, and would do all
I can to remedy it. — IV. D. H.

122 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

(155.) BOLETUS ^STIVALIS; The Summer Bolet.

Habitat. In pastures and parks near copses ; in woodlands.
Solitaiy.

Season. May to August. Tolerably common.

Fileus. Four to eight inches across, grey, grey-brown, umber,
soft, silky, becoming rivulose and granulate ; convex, then expand-
ing, pulvinate, unequally plane.

Stem. Two to five inches high, dingy white, stout, firm, even,
smooth, incrassate below, naked.

Pores. Pallid- white, yellow, lastly greenish.

Section. Flesh white, soft, unchanging. Stem solid. Tubes
pallid, then greenish, elongate, cylindrical, minute, even. Odour
faint. Taste sweet and nutty. Spores greenish-brown.

Obs. One of the largest and best in quality of the genus. In chapter vii.
—W. D. H.

(156.) BOLETUS BADIUS; The Bay Bolet.

Habitat. On high ground in woods of fir and pine. Solitary.

Season. August to October. Rare.

Piletcs. Some two inches across, bay-tawny, soft, polished,
viscid in wet, smooth ; convex, pulvinate, rounded.

Stem. One to two inches high, pale bay, farinose, nearly even,
sub-attenuate, not bulbous, smooth,, naked.

Pores. Pale yellow, becoming greenish.

Section. Flesh pallid, slightly blueing on exposure, soft, thick,
stem solid. Tubes large, angular, sinuate, depressed, adnate,
yellow-green. Odour feeble. Taste good. Spores dingy green.

Ohs. Not well known, but it is eaten abroad and is quite wholesome.—
W. D. n.

(157.) BOLETUS BOVINUS ; The Ox Bolet.

Habitat. Heathy woods of fir and pine. In groups.

Season. September and October. I^ot uncommon.

Pileus. One to three inches across, dusky, red-brown, or tawny-
buff, smooth, glossy, viscid in wet ; rounded, then convex, pulvi-
nate, expanding, undulate. Margin incurved, at first white and
tomentosc, soon yellow and glutinous.

Stem. Two to three inches high, tint of pilous, striate, not
thick, cylindrical, equal, smooth, naked, sub-flexuose.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 123

Fores. Dingy yellow, eventually dusky brown.

Section. Flesli dingy, unchangeable, thick. Stem solid. Tubes
very shallow, tint of pores, angular, compound, irregular, sub-
decurrent. Odour aromatic. Taste bland. Spores dingy gi'een.

Ohs. It has been suspected, but seems quite wholesome. Young specimens
only should be eaten. — W. D. H.

(158.) BOLETUS CASTANEUS; The Chestnut Bolet.

Habitat. On the ground in woods. Solitary.

Season. August to October. Not common.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, chestnut or cinnamon,
velvety-tomentose, opaque ; convex, expanding, pulvinate, slightly
depressed, firm.

Stem. Short, tint of pileus, soft, unequal, swollen, bent, irre-
gular, not stout, naked.

Pores. Whitish, then yellow.

Section. Flesh white, unchanging, soft, floccose. Stem stuffed,
soon hollow. Tubes yellow, short, cylindrical, narrow, free.
Odour slight. Taste pleasant. Spores yellow.

Obs. An agreeable esculent, but soft, and liable to early decay. — W. D. H.

(159.) BOLETUS CHRYSENTERON ; The Red-crack Bolet.

Habitat. In woods, parks, pastures, etc. Solitary.

Season. July to October. Common.

Pileus. Two to four inches across, dull brown, rimose and
stained with bright crimson, finely tomentose ; convex, pulvinate,
at length almost plane.

Stem. Two to four inches high, yellowish, streaked and splashed
with red, not thick, bent, rigid, fibrillose, sub-incrassate below.

Pores. Greenish-yellow.

Section. Flesh thickish, pale yellow, red under cuticle, blueing
where cut. Stem stuffed. Tubes greenish -yellow, large, angular,
unequal, adnexed. Odour slight. Taste bland. Spores brownish-
yellow.

Ohs. In chapter vii. The blueing is often hardly perceptible. It seems to
depend on the weather. Of good quality. — IF. D. H.

(160.) BOLETUS CYANESCENS ; The Blue Bolet.
Habitat. Bare woods and wastes. Solitary.

124 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

Season. August to Octobor. Uncommon.

Pileus. Two to four inches across, straw-colour, buff, tomentose ;
convex, expanding, plane, pulvinate. Margin acute, equal.

Stem. Some two inches high, buff, apex constricted, middle
swollen, base even, brittle, not reticulate, villoso-pruinose.

Pores. White, then primrose.

Section. Flesh compact, thick, white, becoming instantly bright
blue. Juice blue. Stem stuffed, spongy. Tubes yellow, minut
round, equal. Odour slight. Taste good. Spores primrose.

Oha. Quite wholesome, and a very fair comestible while young and tender.
— ir. D. II.

(161.) BOLETUS EDULI3 ; The Dainty Bolet.

Habitat. In pastures, parks, and woodlands. In twos and
threes.

Season. July to October. Common.

Pileus. Three to eight inches across, pale tan or buff, smooth or
sub-rugulose, moist in wet, sometimes rimose ; convex, expanded,
pulvinate. Margin infolded at first, whitish.

Stem. Three to six inches high, white or buff-white, reticulate
above, stout, unequal, incrassate, naked.

Pores. White at first, soon lemon yellow, finally greenish.

Section. Flesh thick, compact, white, unchanging, stained red
under cuticle. Stem solid. Tubes greenish, minute, elongate,
nearly free. Odour faint. Taste sweet and nutty. Spores yellow-
green.

« » * # #

Var SYLVESTRIS.

Grows more frequently in the shade of woods. Colour of pileus

is dull brown or umber. Otherwise identical.

Ohs. In chapter vii. A most excellent, plentiful, and commendable delicacy.
—W. D. H.

(162.) BOLETUS ELEGANS ; The Elegant Bolet.

Habitat. In and about plantations of fir. In twos and threes.

Season. May to November. Common.

Pileiis. Two to foui' inches across, bi'ight golden yellow, disc at

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BEITISH FUNGI. 125

length rusty, smooth, glossy, viscid in wet ; convex, regular, ex-
panding, plane. Margin even, thin.

Stem. Three to four inches high, yellow, firm, equal, perhaps
flexuose, sub-incrassate below, punctate above, annulate.

Pores. Pale yellow, minute, alveolate.

Section. Flesh thin, soft, glutinous, yellowish. Stem stuffed.
Tubes yellow, numerous, small, angular, decurrent. Odour of
mouldy meal. Taste insipid. Spores yellow.

Obs. Wholesome, but of iuferior quality. Useful for puree and soup. —
W. D. H.

(163.) BOLETUS ELEPHANTINUS ; The Giant Bolet.

Habitat. Corners of meadows and commons ; chiefly on
calcareous soils. Solitary.

Season. August to October. Uncommon.

Fileus. Six to fourteen inches across, pale tan or buff, opaque,
whitish-streaked, smooth or sub-rugulose ; convex, pulvinate, then
unevenly plane. Margin thick, incurved at first.

Stem. Two to four inches high, whitish, reticulate above, very
stout, bulbous, rugose, firm, unequal, naked.

Pores- Whitish, soon primrose, finally greenish, minute.

Section. Flesh thick, white, blueing a little. Stem solid. Tubes
long, dense, minute, yellow-green, blueing if bruised. Odour
mealy. Taste a little piquant. Spores greenish.

Obs. Perhaps only a variety of B. edulis. Of equally good quality. — W.D.H.

(164.) BOLETUS FLAVUS ; The Yellow Bolet.

Habitat. In and about fir and pine woods. Scattered.

Season. May to November. Common.

Pileus. Two to five inches across, yellow, brownish when dry,
shining, viscid; convex, plane, expanded, equal, firm.

Stem. Two to three inches high, yellow, punctate with puiple-
brown, stout, sub-reticulate above, incrassate, annulate.

Pores. Golden-yellow, becoming somewhat ruddy, angular.

Section. Flesh not thick, soft, glutinous, yellow, unchanging.
Stem stuffed. Tubes yellow, long, large, sinuate, unequal, angu-
lar, decurrent. Odour mouldy, unpleasant. Taste insipid. Spores
brownish yellow.

Obs. Wholesome. Closely akin to B. elegans, and of similar quality. —
IT'. D. H.

126 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

(165.) BOLETUS FRAGRANS ; The Scented Bolet.

Habitat. In woods, especially under oaks. Solitaiy.

Season. August to October. Uncommon.

Pileus. Two to six inches across, bronze-umber, tomentose,
scabrous ; convex, pulvinate, sub-repand. Margin inflexed.

Stem. Two to three inches high, brown, perhaps splashed with
red and yellow, scabrous, even, incrassate.

Pores. Yellow, then greenish, small.

Section. Flesh thickish, white, blueing brightly. Stem stuffed.
Tubes greenish, small, close, cylindrical, nearly free. Sweet
scented. Taste good. Spores pale greenish yellow.

Ohs, A tasty and pleasant edible. I found it in a parcel of dried Bolets
which lately reached me from Russia, together with B. edulis, B. granulatus,
B. scaber, and other species. I may add that Russians seem to like their
mushrooms maggoty, just as we like our Stilton " all alive." — W, D. H.

(166.) BOLETUS GRANULATUS; The Sprinkled Bolet.

Habitat. Among grass under firs. Scattered.

Season. August to October. Not very common.

Pileus. Two to four inches across, bright bay brown, very
slimy ; at first hemispherical, then convex, expanded, plane,
uneven and undulate. Margin at first incurved and sub-
torn entose.

Stem. One to two inches high, yellowish, covered with milky
drops which dry into sugary granules, scabrous, finely tomentose,
thick, neai'ly equal, naked, rooting.

Pores. Whitish and milky at first, soon yellow and granulose,
compound.

Section. Flesh thick, whitish, unchanging. Stem stuffed.
Tubes short, simple, small, yellow, adnate. Odour unpleasant.
Taste sour. Spores tawny yellow.

Obs. This is an esculent, though not of first-class quality. It is variable,
but well marked.— IF. D. H.

(167.) BOLETUS IMPOLITUS; The Dingy Bolet.
Habitat. Woodsides, under oaks and beeches. In twos and
threes.

Season. August to October. Common.

Pileus. Three to six inches across, gi-eyish or brown, fiocculose

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BEITISH FUNGI. 127

or granulose, rimulose ; convex, pulvinate, expanded, dilate,
uneven. Margin thick, rounded.

Stevi. Some two inches high, dirty white, stout, rigid, even,
rugulose, cylindrical, swollen below, naked.

Fores. Lemon yellow, large, alveolate.

Section. Flesh thick, compact, white, blueing dingily. Stem
solid. Tubes greenish, long, large, unequal, adnexed. Odour
slight. Taste good. Spores greenish.

Ohs. In chapter vii. It is not unlike the brown B. edulis, and is of abaost
as good quality. — W. D. H.

(168.) BOLETUS LUTEUS ; The Collared Bolet.

Habitat. In woods, generally fir and pine woods. In small
groups.

Season. August to October. Common.

Pileus. Three to four inches across, dingy yellow or brown, per-
haps tawny and streaked with red, viscid ; unequally convex,
pulvinate, smooth, soft, sleek.

Stem. Two to four inches high, white, then brownish, not
stout, flexuose, punctate and scabrous above, pruinose below. King
large, patent.

Pores. Dull yellow, small, round.

Section. Flesh fii'm, thick, white, unchanging, at length
yellowish and soft. Stem stuffed. Tubes dull yellow, minute,
round, simple, adnate. Odour mouldy. Taste rather tart. Spores
brownish yellow.

Obs. An esculent of inferior quality, best adapted for boiling down into soup.
—W.'D. H.

(169.) BOLETUS PACHYPUS ; The Big-stem Bolet.

Habitat. On high ground in woods. Singly or in groups.

Season. July to October. Common.

Pileus. Four to eight inches across, pale tan or clay-brown,
dry, sub-tomentose ; pulvinate, bulging, uneven. Margin depressed,
blunt.

Stem. Three to four inches high, clay-colour, variegated with
red, very thick and bulbous, unequal, finn, reticulate, naked.

Pores. Primrose, soon dull yellow.

Section. Flesh thick, white, compact, blueing slightly. Stem

128 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

stuffed or hollow. Tubes greenish, elongate, short behind, round,
simple, adnexed. Odour slight. Taste agreeable. Spores yel-
lowish.

Obs. In spite of having been su.spected, it seems to be quite wholesome.
But it is hard, and only young and tender plants should be gathered. It is of
inferior quality. — W. D. H.

(170.) BOLETUS SCABEE ; The Rough Bolet.

Habitat. In woods. Solitary.

Season. July to September. Common.

Pileus. Three to six inches across, dusky brown or bistre,
smooth, tomentose, viscid in wet ; at first narrow and orbicular,
then convex, pulvinate.

Stem. Four to eight inches high, white-brown, tuberculose,
scabrous and corrugate, thick, attenuate upward, coarse and
rough, naked.

Fores. Minute, round, pulvinate, whitish, a little rusty at edges.

Section. Flesh thick, white, soft, unchanging in youth, redden-
ing or blackening when mature. Stem staffed, fibrous. Tubes
small, elongate, fi'ee, dirty white. Odourless. Taste somewhat
salt. Spores pale brown.

Obs. In chapter vii. A ■well known and very commendable esculent. —
IT'. D. H.

(171.) BOLETUS SUBTOMENTOSUS ; The Yellow-crack Bolet.

Habitat. In woods. Singly or scattered.

Season. July to October. Common.

Pileus. Two to four inches across, bronze, olive brown, I'imose
with lemon yellow ; pulvinate, expanded, convexo-plane ; soft,
dry, subtomentose.

Stem. Three to five inches high, yellow, marked with red,
slender, bent, striato-sulcate, punctate above, sub-incrassato at
base, naked.

Pores. Primi'osc, l)ecoming greenish, coarse.

Section. Flesh thickish, soft, brittle, yellowish, blueing or not.
Stem stuffed, fibrous. Tubes large, irregular, angular, elongate,
greenish, short behind, rather remote. Odour slight and pleasant.
Taste peculiar, good. Spores brownish yellow.

Obg. In chapter vii. Closely allied to B. chryscnteron, but of somewhat
better flavour.— JF. D. II.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BEITISH FUNGI. 129

(172.) BOLETUS VERSIPELLIS; The Orange Bolet.

Habitat. In woodlands. Solitary.

Season. August to N"oveniber. Common.

Pileus. Three to five inches across, tawny, or orange, or verm.i-
Hon, dry, at first tomentose, then smooth, perhaps sub-squamu-
lose ; hemispherical, then convex, rounded, pulvinate. Margin
thick, obtuse, in youth fimbriate with veil.

Stem. Four to nine inches high, whitish-brown, tuberculose,
scabrous and corrugate, thick, rigid, unequal, straight, incrassate
downwards.

Pores. Small, pulvinate, dingy white, edges rusty.

Section. Flesh very thick, soft, white, reddening when old.
Stem stuffed, fibrous. Tubes minute, elongate, straight, whitish,
tinged with rust. Odourless. Taste good. Spores pale brown.

Obs. In chapter vii. Closely allied to B. scaber. Both, if full grown, are
best if " sweated" with butter before being stewed. The Swiss prefer the stems
to the caps, scraping and slicing them longitudinally. — IV. D. H.

(173.) BOLETUS VISCIDUS ; The Gummy Bolet.

Habitat. In woods. Solitary.

Season. August to October. Not common.

Pileus. Three to four inches across, dingy yellow, smooth, very
viscid ; pulvinate, convex, rounded, soft. Margin fimbriate with
veil.

Stem. Two to three inches high, whitish, dingy, not thick,
unequal, uneven, scabrous, rimose, reticulate, attenuate upward.

Pores. Large, angular, dingy greenish yellow.

Section. Flesh not thick, whitish, soft, slimy. Stem stuffed.
Tubes greenish, large, angular, adnate. Odour sickly. Taste
insipid. Spores greenish.

Obs. Wholesome, but of very inferior quality. Useful for soups. — W. D. H.

Genus FISTULINA.

(174.) FISTULINA HEPATICA ; The Oaktongue. (PI. VII.

fig. 2.)
Habitat. On trunks of old living oaks. Solitary.
Season. June to November. Common.

Pileus. Two inches to two or three feet across, flesh pink to
blood-red, in age liver-colour, soft, clammy, viscid ; obtuse, unequal,

K

130 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

lateral, spathulate, dimidiate, etc., papillate at first, then smootli,
spotted with red. Sessile. Base short, thick, lateral, woody.

Pores. Convex, huffish or salmon-pink, dotted with rosy papillae,
viscid.

Section. Flesh very thick, red, marbled, soft like meat, jnicy.
Tubes short, reddish, continuous with flesh, minute, unequal.
Odour slightly vinous. Taste obscurely acid and vinous. Spores
salmon-pink.

Ohs. In chapter vii. Most excellent, either for the cottage or the palace
of Dives \—W. I). II.

Genus POLY PO BUS.

(175.) POLYPORUS CORYLINUS ; The Roman Stump-sprout.

Habitat. On charred stumps of a species of hazel (Corylus
avellana), a native of Italy. In tufts.

Season. Autumn and winter. Exotic.

Filetis. One to three inches across, buff- white, smooth, dry ;
expanded, unequal, plane, uneven. Margin incurved, then undu-
late, thin.

Stem. One inch high, whitish, thick, continuous, cylindrical,
nearly central, unequal, incrassate, reticulate, naked.

Pores. Tint of pileus, small, even.

Section. Flesh white, thick, compact. Stem solid. Tubes
whitish, short. Odour slight. Taste bland.

Obs. It may be cultivated anywhere in hothouses, upon its particular
matrix. See chapter xi. — W. D. H.

(176.) POLYPORUS CRISTATUS ; The Crested Polypore.

Habitat. On the ground in old beech woods. Singly.

Season. September to November. Rare.

Habit. A clump of fragile, fleshy branches, rising from a
common base or trunk. The Pilei are three to four inches across,
tawny-green, entire or dimidiate, depressed, irregular, imbricate ;
sub-pulverulent or tomentose, eventually rimoso-squamose. Mar-
gins involute. The Stems are long and short, white, then greenish,
iiTegular, latei-al, farinose. Pores white, then yellowish, minute,
angular, unequal, torn. Odour slight. Taste rather acrid.

Ohs. Very scarce here ; I have not seen it. Fries says it is esculent, and
BO does Curtis.— jr. U. U.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUKGI. 131

(177.) POLYPORUS FOMENTAEIUS ; The Amadou Poljpore.

Habitat. On old oaks, beeclies, etc. Singly.

Season. Perennial. Common.

Pileus. To twenty inclies across, or more, dusky, grey-brown,
farrowed or zoned concentrically ; triangular, crescent-stiaped,
hoof- shaped, etc.; dilate, thick, smooth, opaque, nodulose. Margin
stratified. Cuticle thick, hard, persistent, inner layer dark and
shining. Sessile. Lateral.

Section. Flesh brown, at first soft, floccose, soon coriaceous,

thick, hard. Pores glaucous, then brownish, concave in the mass,

veiy long, minute, regular, stratified. Odour ligneous. Taste

bitter-astringent.

Obs. It is the principal and best of the Polypores used for making German
tinder, or Amadou. In extreme infancy the German and French peasants eat
it, but even then it is very tough. — W. D. H.

(178.) P0LYP0RU3 GIGANTEUS ; The Giant-tuft. (PL VL
fig. 3.)

Habitat. At the foot of old trees. In single clumps.

Season. Autumn and winter. Rare.

Habit. A mass of pileated, fleshy, coriaceous branches rising
from a tuberose trunk, the "whole from one to three feet across.
Pilei broad, bright brown, zoned, becoming black, flocculose or
squamoso-fibi-illose ; sub-lateral, imbricate, dimidiate, flaccid, ir-
regular, unequal, rigid, depressed. Stems short and long, connate,
lateral, branched, fibrillose, bi-ownish. Pores pallid, browning,
round, minute, torn. Odour slight. Taste not unpleasant.

Obs. Abroad it is eaten when very young, but is even then rather tough. —
W. D. H.

(179.) POLYPOEUS INTYBACEUS; The Hen of the Woods.

Habitat. At the foot of old trees. In single clumps.

Season. Autumn and winter. Rare.

Habit. A mass of spathulate, fleshy, fragile branches ri.sing
from a common base, up to six inches high and sixteen across.
Pilei half to one inch across, dusky, grey-brown, numerous, dimi-
diate, upright, imbricate ; discs dilate, flattened, irregular, smooth.
Stems continuous, confluent. Poi-es white, then dingy, compound,
small. Odour of mice. Taste agreeable. Spores white.

Obs. The best edible Polypore. Very good until old and tough. Much
esteemed on the Continent. — W. D. H.

132 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

(180.) POLYPORUS SaUAMOSUS ; The Dryad's Saddle.

Habitat. On stumps, tree-trunks, branches, roots. Singly, or
imbricated.

Season. April to September. Very common.

Pileus. Four inches to three feet across, cream}^ or pale buff,
tawny or brown-squamose ; flabelliform, expanded, dimidiate,
imbricate, depressed behind, irregular. Margin often incurved.
Sessile ; or short, continuous, thick, excentric, lateral stem. Base
black, enlarged, woody. Pores pallid, at first small, round, then
large, angular, torn.

Section. Flesh thick, white, juicy, tough. Odour strong, sickly.

Taste acrid, then mild. Spores white.

Ohs. It is eaten abroad, but only in extreme youth. It is a very inferior
esculent.— H'. D. H.

(181.) POLYPORUS SULFUREUS; The Sulphur-clump. (PI.

VI. tig. 4.) ^ y~ _ ~~^— _

Habitat. On tree-trunks, chiefly of willow. In imbricate clumps.

Season. May to October. Common.

Habit. A mass of confluent, imbricate pilei, two or three feet

across, compacted. In age sometimes encrusted with crystals of

pota.ssic binoxalate. A single Pileus is six to sixteen inches ^cross,

sulphur-yellow, tinged with red, smooth, undulate, irregulai^

lateral. Sessile. ]\Iargin uneven, irregularly indented. Pores

sulphur- 3-ellow, plane, minute. Flesh thick, yellow, doughy.

Odour pleasant. Taste sour. Spores "wdiite, abundant.

Obs. While young it is esculent, and certainly better than the preceding. It
rpquires to be sliced, well scalded and rinsed, before sweating and cooking. —
ir. D. JI.

(182.) POLYPORUS TUBERASTER ; The Italian Stone-tuft.

Habitat. On an argillaceous tufa found in Italy, called Pietra
fungaia. In tufts.

Season. At all times in a temperature of G5° to 75° Fahr.

Pileus. Four to eight inches across, white, soon tawny, villoso-
squamose ; plane, then infundibuliform, undulate, thin.

Stem. Short, tint of pileus, rigid, slender, continuous, uneven,
unequal, smooth, tapered downward.

Pores. Straw- tint, large, equal, angular, torn, decurrcnt. Odour

aromatic. Taste sharp.

Ohs. May be cultivated anywhere on the Italian " Fungus-stone," under
proper conditions. See chapter xi. — W. D. II.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BPJTISH FUNGI. 133

ORDER TBEMELLINL

Genus HIRNEOLA.

(183.) HIRNEOLA ATJRICULA-JUDJE ; The Jew's-ear. (PL
XII. fig. 2.)

Habitat. On elder-trees, etc. In gi-oups.

Season. October to May. Common locally.

Habit. Irregularly cup-shaped., ear-shaped, one to two inches
deep, two to four inches across ; thin, soft, elastic ; exterior dusky,
grey-brown, wrinkled, velvety-tomentose. Hymenium on interior
surface, dingy flesh-pink, corrugate, convolute, ear-like, interstices
smooth. Sub.stance gelatinous, horny when dry. Odourless. Ta.ste
insipid.

Ohs. According to monkish legend, this is the ear of Judas, wliich sprouts
for ever upon the tree on which he hung himself. In China this and kindred
species are accounted great delicacies, and are imported at great expense from
New Zealand, Tonga, and Samoa, and in huge quantities. I have tried the
Jew's-ear both there and here, but do not Und it nice. In Europe it has been
regarded as a medicine, but it possesses none of the qualities assigned to it.
Eabelais mentions it as eaten in salad (Pantagruel, liv. iv.). It is simply a taste-
less, mucilaginous viand. — W. D. H.

Genioi TREMELLA.

(184.) TREMELLA FIMBRIATA; The Dark Jelly-sprout.

Habitat. On stumps, logs, branches, etc., in wet. In tufts.

Season. September to November. Uncommon.

Habit. Purple-black or dusky olive, two or three inches broad,
gelatinous, tremulous, soft, elastic, amorphous ; erect, undulate,
lobulate, corrugate, dilate. Margin fimbriate. Substance jelly-
like. Odourless. Tasteless.

Ohs. Used abroad to colour and thicken soup. It yields a good colour by
infusion. It is nutritious, but almost flavourless. It can be dried, and will
revive when soaked in water. — W. D. H.

(185.) TREMELLA LUTESCENS ; The Yellow Jelly-sprout.

Habitat. On stumps, logs, branches, twigs. In tufts.

Season. September to January. Uncommon.

Habit. Amorphous, .small, pale yellow ; jelly-like, tremulous,
soft, elastic, undulate, lobulate, gyrose, entire. Substance gela-
tinous, not watery. Odourless. Flavoui'less.

Ohs. Used in Germany as a substitute for Morels. Of little value. — W. D. H.

134 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BEITISH FUNGI.

(186.) TRETjIELLA MESENTERICA; The Orange Jelly-sprout.
(PL. XII. fig. 4.)

Habitat. On stumps, logs, branches, old posts, etc. In tufts.

Season. September to January. Common.

Habit. Amorphous, spreading to two or three inches broad,
orange-yellow, smooth ; ascending, expanded, gelatinous but
toughish, plicate, undulate ; several individuals confluent. Odour-
less. Taste bland.

Obs. It is commoner, and possesses a trifle more flavour than the preceding.
— IF. D. H.

(187.) TREKELLA MORIFORMIS ; The Mulberry Jelly-sprout

Habitat. On stumps, logs, branches, and on the ground near
them. In tufts.

Season. September to November. Common.

Habit. Amorphous, small, mulberry-purple or blackish, wrinkled,
folded, undulate, gyrose ; smooth and shining, toughish, elastic,
juicy, gelatinous ; many confluent. Substance jelly-like, staining
the fingers. Odour faint. Taste sub-acid.

Obs. It seems ■wholesome, and I find it palatable, having a tomato-like taste.
But it is diflicnlt to do anything with these Tremelles, except add them to soup-
This one also yields a dye. — W. D. H.

OBDEB HYPOG^I.

Genus HYMENOGASTER.

(188.) HYMENOG ASTER KLOTSCHII; Klotsch's Hymeno.
gaster.

Habitat. Subterranean. In sandy soils, in woods and wastes.

Habit. Irregularly globose, tubei-ous, obovate. Peridium

smooth, dirty buff, perhaps wrinkled. Base fibrillose, distinct.

Substance firm, whitish, veined with reddish fibres. Odour

nauseous.

Ob». It is eaten in Langucdca in spite of its smell, but is of inferior quality,
—W. D. II.

Genus MELANOGASTEIi.

(189.) MELANOGASTER VARIEGATUS ; The Red Truffle of
Bath.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 135

Habitat. Underground, or partially exposed. Beneath beeches
and poplars. Clustered. Common locally.

Habit. Rounded, oval, tubei'ous. Peridium bright rusty-brown,
minutely tomentose, without base, attached by creeping fibres.
Interior black, variegated by whitish or buffish veins, which are
the walls of cells inclosing the black pulp. Odour musky. Taste
good.

Obs. At one time much found about Bath, and sold in the market there. It
ia also eaten in France ; but it is an esculent vastly inferior to the true Truffles.
—W. D. H.

OBDEB TBICHOGASTBES.

Genus B OVIST A.

(190.) BOYISTA NIGRESCENS ; The Black Puff-ball.

Habitat. On the ground in meadows and fields. Scattered.

Season. June to October. Common.

Habit. Grlobose, about one and a half inches in diameter, sessile,
attached at base. Peridium double, outer coat whitish, smooth,
flaking off ; inner coafc becoming black, papyraceous, tough. Flesh
at first whitish, becoming coloured, eventually purple-brown dust.
Odourless. Taste good.

Obs. While young, the flesh unstained and solid, it is good. — W. D. H.

(191.) BOVISTA PLUMBEA; The Leaden Puff-ball. (PL XV.
fig. 1.)

Habitat. In fields and meadows. Scattered.

Season. June to October. Common.

Habit. Globose, about one inch in diameter, sessile, base
attached by rootlets. Peridium double, outer coat white, flaking
off ; inner coat becoming lead-grey, smooth, papyi'aceous, flexible.
Flesh at first whitish, becoming discoloured, eventually brown
dust. Odourless. Taste good.

Obs. Like the last. Edible whilst the flesh is white and solid. — IF. D.H.

Genus LYCOPERDON.

Obs. Puii-balls of any speciea are esculent if, when cut, they exhibit a solid
white substance throughout. It is to be noted that even when the capillitium

136 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

is just beginning to change, and is slightly soft and discoloured at the centre,
scent and flavour are already affected, and the PuS-ball is no longer nice to
eat. As maturity advances, the capillitium gradually changes into coloured
dust, or in wet weather often becomes a sHmy, rotting mass. It has been
thought to become poisonous in this stage, but I do not find any evidence of
its really being so. Yet the dust of Puff-balls, if inhaled, or if introduced into
the eye, will cause distressing inflammation and acute pain in the mucous
membrane. This is, however, the result of mechanical irritation only, and is
not due to any principle such as we should call a poison. The ripe, or partially
ripened. Puff-ball has its use. When dried, it may be burnt like tinder, and the
fumes are certainly narcotic. Bee-keepers make use of it in this way, and
vivisectionists stujiefy the subjects to be experimented on with it. When study-
ing physiology, I have frequently seen Puff-ball so employed, and its effects are
complete and lasting, though it is apt to be tedious in acting. Before chloro-
form was known, patients were sometimes placed under the influence of burn-
ing Puff-ball fumes, and formidable operations were conducted with the help of
this anajsthetic. In some parts of Northern Europe the dust is mixed with
milk, and given as a veterinary medicine to domestic animals. It acts thus as
an astringent. The dry Puff-ball is also used as a styptic ; but I doubt if it be
not dangerous, on account of the irritation the fine dust may cause. — W. D. H.

(193.) LYCOPERDON CiELATUM ; The Embossed Paff-ball.

Habitat. In meadows and fields. Solitary.

Season. August to October. Common.

Habit. Globose above, tapered to base, rooting. Several inches
high, three to six inches widest diameter. White, in age brown.
Outer coat of peridium broken into large, angular, persistent
warts, giving the plant an embossed appearance. Flesh white,
firm, floccose ; then yellow; at last brown dust. Odour aromatic.
Taste bland and agreeable.

Obs. Of very good quality, of course while white and solid always under-
stood.—jr. D. H.

(193.) LTCOPERDON GEMMATUM ; The Pillar Puff-ball.

Habitat. In pastures, parks, grassy woods, commons, etc.
Solitary.

Season. June to September. Common.

Habit. Two to five inches high, columnar, white, brown in age.
Lower part like a thick stem. Upper part enlarged, rounded,
umbonate, farinose, squamose, perhaps rimose. Flesh white at
fir.st, with central floccose pitli, eventually yellow powdei-. Odour
strong, aromatic. Taste good.

Obt. Of rather inferior quality, as the flesh ia woolly. — W. D. JI.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 137

(194.) LYCOPERDON GIGANTEUM; The Giant Puff-ball.

Habitat. In pastures, grass fields, parks, etc. Solitary.

Season. August to October. Common.

Habit. Globose, from four inches to two feet in diameter, white,
in age dirty green. Peridium smooth like kid, sometimes floccu-
lose and rimose. Base attached by few fibrils. Flesh firm, white,
light, in age yellow-green dust, when the peridium is rent above
to discharge it. Odour and taste faintly aromatic.

Obs. The best edible Puff-ball, and also the largest. It may be sliced from
the top while growing, and a fresh slice taken off daily.— (F. D. H.

(195.) LYCOPEEDON PUSILLUM; The Little Puff-ball.

Habitat. In meadows. Scattered.

Season. June to September. Common.

Habit. Globose, half to two inches in diameter, cream- white,
then yellowish and brown. Peridium flaccid, persistent, thickish,
rough, slightly plicate below. Base slightly rooting. Flesh white,
at length yellow-brown dust. Odourless. Flavour bland.

Obs. A good kind to eat raw, with salt and bread or biscuit, with or without
butter. Very delicate. — IV. D. II.

(196.) LYCOPEEDON PYEIFORME; The Pear-shaped Puif-
ball. (PL XV. fig. 2.)

Habitat. On conmions, heaths, and about decaying stumps.
In tufts.

Season. August to October. Common.

Habit. One to three inches high, dirty-white, soon brown ;
elongate, ovate, pyriform, umbonate. Peridium membranaceous,
squamulose. Base distinct, rooting by long fibrils. Flesh dingy,
columella conical, eventually brown dust. Odour slight. Taste
good.

Obs. Of inferior quality, the flesh being woolly and the flavour not so good.
— W.D.H.

(197.) LYCOPEEDON SACCATUM ; The Tall Puff-ball.
Habitat. Glades and borders of woodlands. Solitary.
Season. August to October. Uncommon.
Habit. Tall, erect, ovate, elongate, obtuse, variable, ding

133 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

wtite, soon brownish. Peridium thin, membranaceous, areolatp
strongly plicate underneath. Flesh dense, spongy, white, then
brown and dusty. Odour slight. Taste good.

Obs. Of fair quality, though somewhat spongy. — W. D. II.

Genus SCLERODERMA.

(198.) SCLEEODERMA VULGARE ; The Earth-ball. (PI. XV.
fig. 4)

Habitat. In or near woodlands. Singly or in groups.

Season. August to October. Common.

Habit. Two to five inches in diameter, globose, irregular, base
rooting. Peridium yellowish or brown, hard, corky, thick, squar-
I'ose, vei'rucose, areolate or dehiscent. Flesh whitey-grey, mai'bled,
becoming nearly black. Odour strong, aromatic. Taste mild.

Obs. Edible in youth according to Vittadini. I have found it far from com-
mendable, and it is too closely like S. verrucosa, which is held to be poisonous.
S. bovista alio seems to be edible, at least — innoxious. — W. D. H.

ORDER ELVELLAGEL

Genus BULGARIA.

(199.) BULGARIA INaUIlTANS; The Black Bulgar.
(PI. XLIX. fig. 7.)

Habitat. On logs, stumps, and deadwood, chiefly of oak. In
groups or tufts.

Season. April and May, August to October when wet. Un-
common.

Habit. Conical, truncate, tiu-binate, sessile, brown-black, one to
two inches in diameter. Exterior rugulose, furfuraceous, lacunose.
Disc at first saucer-shaped, margin upturned as a brim ; then
plane, perhaps slightly convex, smooth. Flesh brown, thick,
tough, elastic, gelatinous. Odourless. Taste unpleasant.

Ofis. An inferior esculent, though reported to have been largely eaten
abroad at times when it was plentiful and other food scarce. It yields a good
dye, like sepia. — IV. D. II.

Germs GYROMITRA.
(200.) GYROMITRA ESCULENTA ; The Lorchel. (PI. XLIX.

fig. 1.)
Habitat. In woods of pine and fir. In clusters.
Season. April and May, October and November. Common
locally.

A CATALOGUE OP ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 139

Pileus, Two to three inches high or broad, bay-brown, white
and tomentose underneath ; bullate, inflate, snb-orbicular, lobulate,
undulate, gyroso-plicate. Margin adnexed to stem.

Stem. One to two inches high, pinkj-white, smooth, even,
villose.

Section. Flesh finn, white, hollowed out in irregular cavities.
Odour and taste pleasant.

Oba. In the raw state it contains an actually poisonous principle, which is,
however, so sparingly diffused that a large quantity of the Loroliels must be
eaten for it to prove dangerous. The poison is removable by the simple
method of preparation I have elsewhere detailed. Lorchels are very abundant
in North and Middle Germany, and are brought to market there in huge
quantities. They are extremely nourishing food. The facts in regard to the
properties of the species have lately been demonstrated by Ponfick. Th4
genus comes between the Morels and Helvels, differing from the first in it3
pileus not being pitted, and from the last by greater solidity. — W. D. H.

Genus HELVELLA.

(201.) HELVELLA CEISPA; The Common Helvel.

Habitat. In woods, among grass and moss. In groups.

Season. October and November. Common.

Pileus. Free, lobed, deflexed, bent all ways, crisped, pallid on
upper sides, pale tawny below, pinky when dry.

Stem. Two to five inches high, white, glabrous, stout, deeply
lacunose and canaliculate.

Section. Flesh white, elastic. Stem fissured throughout. Odour-
less. Taste good.

Ohs. It gives me the idea of a piece of old kid glove crumpled up and stuck
on tue top of a worm-eaten cabbage-stalk. The stem is here the principal part
in regard to flesh. In chapter vii. This species is perhaps the commonest,
and is of first-class quality. — W. D. H.

(202.) HELVELLA ELASTICA ; The Little Dark Helvel.,
(PI. XLIX. fig. 3.)

Habitat. In woods. In small groups.

Season. September and October. Common.

Pileus. Bistre, dark grey, mitre-shaped, lobed, free, inflated,
uniform on both surfaces, thin, pendulous.

Stem. Tint of pileus, pale, elongate, slender, attenuate, pruinose
not lacunose, hollow.

Substance. Thin, greyish, elastic. Odourless. Taste good.

Obs. Slight, but if plentiful it makes a very good viand. — W. D. H.

140 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

(203.) HELVELLA GIGAS ; The Big Helvel.

Habitat. On sandy soil under ti'ees. Solitary.

Seaso7i. April and May, September and October. Rare.

Pileus. Dusky brown above, whitish on under surface, large,
lobed, undulate, plicate, costate with white lines ; the lobes down-
curved and adpressed to stem. Margins irregularly sinuate and
crisped.

Stem. Three to six inches high, thick, smooth, glossy, canali-
culate. Substance thick, whitish, elastic. Odour strong. Taste
good.

Obs. Seldom met •with here. It is of first-class esculent quality. — W. D. H.

(204.) HELVELLA LACUNOSA ; The Mitred Helvel.

Habitat. On sandy soils in woods, among grass and moss. In
groups.

Season. April and May, September to November. Common.

Pileus. Bistre or dark grey, inflated, in two or three lobes,
these erect from centre, curving, deflexed, adnexed at margins.

Stem. Two to three inches high, whitish, dingy, thick, firm,
very costate, lacunose. Substance white, thick, elastic, hollow.
Odourless. Taste good.

Obs. With the rest in chajjter vii. Of excellent quality. — IF. D. H.

Genus LEOTIA.

(205.) LEOTIA LUBRICA ; The Lizard-tuft. (PL XLIX. fig. 5.)

Habitat. On the gixjund in woods. In tufts.

Season. June to October. Not very common.

Pileus. Small, one inch across, greenish yellow, soft, gelatinous,
tremulous, broadly wi-inkled, smooth, viscid ; convex, obtuse,
irregularly undulate. Margin revolute on stem.

Stem. One to three inches high, tint of pileus, cylindrical,

slender, soft, pulpy or hollow. Flesh slight, gelatinous. Odourless.

Taste bland.

Obs. Small and slight, but quite good. It may be eaten with Helvels. —
W. D. II.

Genus MORCIIELLA.
Obs. The Morels are included in chapter vii. They are true luxuries, being
the most dainty in flavour and nutritive in substance of all mushrooms. Their

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 141

reputation abroad is only equalled by that of Truffles. Here they are very
much localized, but reappear annually, often in large quantities. It is matter
of indifference which species is found, as they are all of first-class quality. —
W. D. II.

(206.) MOHCHELLA CRASSIPES; The Great Morel.

Jlahitat. Damp sites under hedges, bushes, and trees. Singly.

Season. April and May. Rare.

Pileus. Two to three inches high, brown, large, costate, lacu-
nose ; sub-conical, soft, irregular. Pits unequal, large, deep,
wrinkled at bottom. Margin incurved, adnate.

Stem. Four to nine inches high, pinky white, stout, bulbous
below, smoothly lacunose, hollow. Substance soft, not easily
dried, soon decomposing. Odour peculiar. Taste good.

Obs. Practically only a rare and large variety of the following. — W. D. H.

(207.) MORCHELLA ESCULENTA ; The Common Morel.
(PL XLIX. fig. 3.)

Habitat. In woods, parks, and damp shady corners. In groups.

Season. April to June. Common locally.

Pileus. Two to three inches high, dirty-white, grey, ochreish,
or brown, costate, lacunose ; ovate, sub-conical, rounded, pyramidal.
Ribs pale. Pits irregular, deep sunk, polygonal. Margin infolded,
adnate.

Stem. One to three inches high, pallid, stout, smooth, scarcely
lacunose, hollow. Substance whitish, soft, compact. Odour faint.
Taste good.

Obs. The commonest and best species. Most excellent. — IF. D. H.

(208.) MORCHELLA SEMILIBERA ; The Tall Morel.

Habitat. Damp shady places in woods, etc. Singly, or in
groups.

Season. April to June. Not uncommon.

Pileus. One and a half inches high, one inch broad, olive-buff,
or brown, costate longitudinally, lacunose ; conical, pyramidal.
Pits oblong, irregular, wrinkled at bottom. Margin incurved,
free. Pileus adnate half-way between margin and apex.

Stem. Three to five inches high, pallid or brownish, one inch
thick below, smaller above, sub-lacunose, even, granulose, hollow.

142 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BEITISH FUNGI.

Substance tliin, vrliitc, crisp. Odour peculiar, pleasant. Taste
good.

Obs. An amateur might mistalje the Stiukhorn for this species. But the
Stinkhorn is autumnal, and has a disgusting odour. The Tall Morel is of
first-rate quality. — W. B. H.

Genus PEZIZA.

Obs. The genus comprehends over a hundred and sixty British species. The
series Aleuria is composed of those which are of fleshy substance, comparatively
large, and of terrestrial growth. These are said to be all esculent, and certainly
none are noxious. But few are really commendable, and eveii those are insipid
to eat alone. But they improve various made dishes, can be stuffed, and so
forth. The best will be separately described as follows. — W. D. H.

(209.) PEZIZA ACETABULUM ; The Chalice. (PI. XLIX. fig. G.)

Habitat. On the ground in shady woods. In groups.

Seasofi. March to May. Not common.

Cup. Two inches broad, one and a half high, dusky brown
within, paler without, thin, mouth contracted, smooth within,
externally costate, venate, floccose, furfuraceous. Flesh thickish,
firm, tough, Avaxy.

Stem. Very short, whitish, thick, costate and lacunose, hollow.

Ohs. In chapter vii. The largest species, or nearly so. Wholesome, but
not possessing much flavour. — IF. D. II.

(210.) PEZIZA AURANTIA ; The Orange Elf-cup.

Habitat. On the ground in shady woods. In clusters.

Season. July to October. Common.

Cup. One to four inches across, bright orange, rounded at first
by folded margin, then expanded, broadly waved, i-epand, irregular,
almost plane. Exposed surface or interior smooth, bright-coloured.
Exterior below paler and fai'inose. Sessile, attached at one point.
Substance tough, elastic, rather wax-like. Scentless. Taste
bland.

Obs. Very brilliant and attractive. It is a safe edible, but has little flavour.
In chapter vii. — )('. D. II.

(211.) PEZIZA BADIA ; The Common Brown Elf-cup.
Hahifat. On the ground near ponds, in woods, gardens, etc.
In clusters.

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 143

Season. June to September. Common.

Cup. One to two inches across, varied bi^own, entire, flexuose,
irregular, margin at first inrolled, then repand, spreading ; smooth,
perhaps slightly porous. Exterior below, pale, pruinose. Base
tomentose. Flesh thin, elastic, fragile. Odoai^ess. Taste bland.

Obs. It is often very plentiful, and makes a good addition to sundry dishes.
W. D. H.

(212.) PEZIZA COCHLEATA ; The Snail-shell.

Habitat. On the ground among grass, in woods, gardens, etc.
In clusters.

Season. July to September. Not very common.

Cup. One inch high, two and a half broad, buif-brown, whorled
spirally, convolute in two lateral lobes, thin, large, fragile, sessile.
Exterior farinose. Odour none. Taste agreeable.

Obs. In chapter vii. Sometimes abundant locally. Has been gathered
here as a substitute for Morels. Perhaps its quality makes it more commend-
able than other Elf-cups. — W. D. H.

(213.) PEZIZA HEMISPHERICA ; The Hairy Elf-cup.

Habitat. On the ground in damp woods. In clusters.

Season. Autumn probably. Uncommon.

Cup. A quarter to one inch broad, brown without, greenish
white within ; hemispherical, erect, regularly cyathiform, very
villose. Substance thickish, fragile, waxy. Sessile. Scent and
taste agreeably sour.

Obs. I can only say of it that it has been reported among esculent Elf-cups.
— W. D. H.

(214.) PEZIZA LEPORIHA ; The Bat's-Ear.

Habitat. On the ground in pine woods. In tufts.

Season. June to September. Not uncommon.

Cup. One to two inches high, rusty brown, smooth and dark
•within, farinose and pale without ; one side elongate, folded below,
sub-stipitate. Substance thin, elastic. Odour slight. Taste
pleasant.

Obs. It has been spoken of as an esculent of fairly good quality. — IT. D. H.

14i A CATALOGUE OP ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

(215.) PEZIZA MACROPUS ; The Long Stem Elf-cup.

Habitat. On the ground in woods. In groups.

Season. April and May, September and October. N'ot un-
common.

Cuj). Half to one and a half inches across, dusky grey ; at
first hemispherical, then open, flat, perhaps unevenly depressed,
undulate ; exterior tomentose. Substance slight, elastic, "waxy.

Stem. Two or three inches long, tapered downwards, flexuose,

perhaps lacunose, soft. Odourless. Taste mild.

Oh.t, It is commonly eaten by French rustics, but is almost flavourless. —
W. D. H.

(216.) PEZIZA ONOTICA ; The Hare's-ear.

Habitat. On the ground in woods. Solitary.

Season. April and May, September and October. Rare.

Cup. Two or three inches high, rosy or orange within, fawn
without and farinose; dimidiate, one side elongate, irregular, bent,
folded below, sub-stipitate, wrinkled in age. Base rugose, flexu-
ose, rooting. Odour feeble. Taste agreeable.

Ohs. Very scarce here, but abroad considered almost a dainty. — W. D. H.

(217.) PEZIZA VENOSA; The Scented Elf-cup.

Habitat. On the ground in woods. In clusters.

Season. March to May. Common.

Cup. One to four inches across, dark velvety brown within,

opaque white and farinose without ; irregular, twisted, oblique,

spirally folded, or repand. Exterior rugose, venose, costate.

Substance thin, tough. Scent like nitric acid. Taste mouldy.

Obs. It is of fair quality, as it possesses some flavour of its own. — W. D. H.

(218.) PEZIZA VESICULOSA ; The Bladder Elf-cup.

Habitat. On hot-beds, dunghills, garden plots, etc. In small
groups.

Season. March to May, September to November. Common.

Cup. One to three inches across, dingy drab or brownish ; at
first spherical, mouth conti-acted, then more tui-binate or cyatlii-
form. Margin crenulate, sinuate, convolute. Exterior granulose,

A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BKITISH FUNGI. 145

furfaraceous. Base tomentose. Substance thin, fragile, sab-
translucent, waxy. Odourless. Taste bland.

Obs. It may be dressed raw for salad, or cooked like the others.— Jr. D. //,

Genus VEEP A.

(219.) VERPA DIGIT ALIFORMIS; The Thimble-finger.
(PI. XLIX. fig. 4.)

Habifat. In damp, shadj sites. Solitary.

Season. March to May. Rare.

Pileics. Half an inch high and broad, dull brown at apex,
greyish below ; obtusely conical, irregular, free, but adpressed to
stem. Margin smooth or sub-rugalose. Inside whitish and
minutely tomentose.

Stevi. One to thi-ee inches high, white, with tawny fiocCose
patches, stout, nearly equal, perhaps bent, rooting.

Section. Flesh thin, fragile. Stem loosely stuffed, or hollow
below. Odourless. Taste bland.

Obs. It seems rare with us, but is a good deal eaten in Italy. It is of
inferior quality. — W. D. H.

OBDEB TUBEBAGEL

Genus TUBER.

(220.) TUBER ^STIVUM ; The Summer Truffle. (PI. L. fig. 1.)

Habitat. Underground, in beech woods. In clusters.

Season. June to October. Supposed to be common.

Habit. Globose, irregular, one to three inches in diameter, dark
brown-black, strongly verrucose. Warts large, polygonal, pyra-
midal, transversely striate.

Section. Solid, flesh whitish at first, soon clay-colour, white-
veined. Odour aromatic. Taste peculiar.

Obs. This species may be common enough, but of course there is difSculty
in searching for and finding it. It is of good quality, though it has less flavour
than T. magnatum or T. cibarium, the most prized French species, which have
not been found in Great Britain. — W. D. 11.

(221.) TUBER BRUMALE ; The Winter Truffle. (PI. L. fig. 2.)
Habitat. Underground, in oak woods. In clusters.

146 A CATALOGUE OP ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI.

Senann. October to January. Supposed to be common.

Hahit. Globose, irregular*, one to three inches diameter, bright
brown, blackish, verrucosa. Warts dark, polygonal, smooth.

Section. Solid, flesh grey or gi'ey-buff, marbled with very distinct
white veins. Odour aromatic. Taste agreeable.

Ohx. Of finer flavour than the other. Possiblj' abundant locally. These
two species are the only ones, out of a conaiilerable number indigenous to
Great Britain, which are known esculents. — W. D. H.

CHAPTER IX.

On the Chemistry a.\d Toxicology of Fl'ngi.

It would seem that English men of science have not been attracted
to the study of Fungi, in regai'd to the chemistry of them, or to the-
physiological properties their various components possess. At pre-
sent all our available information of this sort must be drawn from
foreign sources. A variety of facts have been gathered up abroad,
by one person and another; and though investigation has been,
very partial, limited, and desultoiy, the aggregate knowledge thus
acquired is not inconsiderable, and is sufficient to prove the im-
portance of the subject, and to serve as a sure basis for further
research.

Investigation has proceeded in various ways. First, information
has been collected of that kind we may term folk-lore. The
practice of the populace in different countries and localities has
been noted, in respect of the particular species of Fungi employed
as food or otherwise, and the special methods of such employment.
Here and there medical men have had opportunities of watching
the effects of a fungus diet, or have had to study and contend
with cases of fungus poisoning. Again, chemists have under-
taken the minute analysis of sundry species of Fungi ; and lastly,
physiologists have experimented and practically tested some of the
effects produced by different Fungi on the economy of men and
animals. Information so acquired is fragmentary, and must be
gathered piecemeal from the various countries of civilization
during an extended period. Putting together and comparing all
results obtained, we shall find a fair accumulation of ascertained
facts, some abstract of which is here set forth.

The first thing we learn is to appreciate the distinctions and
differences which make one species unlike another, in constituent
character as in external habit. This separation of genus from
genus and species from species has been emphatically urged fre-
quently in this work. And, indeed, it cannot be too strongly forced

U7

143 ox THE CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY OF FUNGI.

upon attention ; for persons new to the subject appear to find a
difficulty in receiving the idea of discrimination. Thej are domi-
nated by the erroneous notion that species of Fungi differ Httle
from one another, and that a few broad generalized distinctions
are enough to know. But though all Fungi have much in common,
there are not onlj- external features but also elements of their
composition Avhich divide the mo^st closely allied species from one
another, and which give to each a distinctive identity which is
fixed and invariable, wherever and whenever that species may
grow.

Various analyses concur in showing that there are certain con-
s!:ituents which are held in commoii by all of the larger Fungi yet
examined. But there is entii'e difference among the species as to
the proportions in which these common constituents are severally
blended in them. They are as follows : —

Water ; sometimes in certain species nine-tenths of the gross
"weight.

Cellulose or Lignose, constituting the fibrous structure of the
plant (CioH.gOig).

Proteids ; namely, a nitrogenized substance insoluble in water ;
a second nitrogenized substance soluble in water and coagulable by
heat (albumen) ; and a third nitrogenized substance soluble in
alcohol (osmazome).

A fatty matter analogous to wax (adipocere).

A fatty matter like tallow, resolvable into a fluid (olein), and a
body solid and crystallizable at ordinary temperatui^es (stearin).

Sugar, of the kind called specifically mannite.

A resinoid matter, which becomes brown on exposure to the air.

Traces of salts of potash and silica, and of sulphur.

Over and above the foregoing constituents. Fungi possess others
Avhich are not common to all species, but one or other of which
may be found in particular species. These peculiar and especial
constituents are gelatine, gum, mucilage, bassorine, inuline, dex-
trine, glucose, es.sential oils, colouring matter; also citric, malic,
oxalic, phosphoric, and fumaric acids; also salts of ])otassium,
sodium, and calcium ; and other matters unnamed or not yet
isolated, on certain of which may depend the scent and taste of
the .species. For the odours and fiavours of Fungi are exceedingly
various, and differ very greatly in one species and another, often
affording great assistance in the determination of species. Many
being peculiar, without common analogues, arc almost impossible

ON THE CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY OF FUNGI. 1-49

to describe in set terms. But it will be seen from the two cata--
logues that scent and taste afford no indication of the relative
wholesomeness or noxiousness of species generally. They do not
depend upon the same essences which exert an injurious influence
on our bodies.

Lastly, we find that sundry species of Fungi are infiltrated by
extractive essences, some of which set up a peculiar moi'bid action
when taken into the bodies of men or animals. These essences
may be alkaloids, but none pf them have yet been isolated, or, at
least, have not been found to act as bases in the presence of acids
and to form salts with them. Until further examination of them
has been carried out, we must be content to call them active
principles, extractives, or essences. Some of these principles have
been to some extent examined, and have been named, such as
Agaricine, Amanitine, Bulbosine, Ergotine, Geine, Muscarine,
Mycetine, etc. But some of the names are indistinctive. It must
be borne in mind that these fungus essences vary exceedingly in
action and power of action. There is little community between
them. True, there is usually a similitude of action in the principles
found in different species of the same genus or sub-genus ; but
there is diametric difference between these and others. Nor are
we justified in supposing, for instance, that the Bulbosine of
Amanita phalloides is identical with the Muscarine of Amanita
muscaria, though both act similai-ly ; or that it is right to consider
these principles, together with those of other Amanites, nnder the
one title of Amanitine. Belladonna, Stramonium, and Henbane
are not considered identical, though their action is very similar ;
and neither ought the essences of the sundry Amanites to be
considered only one. The cases are strictly parallel.

Passinof back to the common constituents, it is easv to under-
stand that every chemist who has analysed Fungi has been forcibly
struck by the amount of nutritive matter contained in them. In
this particular they absolutely surpass every other class of vege-
table. And observation of the effects produced by a prolonged
diet mainly composed of Fungi has established beyond doubt that
they afford an unusual amount of nourishment. There is, then,
scientific evidence to support the popular instinct which — in most
countries but our own — causes people to eat Fungi, to regard them
not merely as tasty adjuncts to a meal, but as the meal itself, and
to bestow on them such grateful names as "manna of the poor."
And this, too, despite risks of poisoning, despite the spectacle of

150 ON THE CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY OF FUNGI.

occasional accidents ! In the analysis of a mushroom is made clear
the reason why of fungus eating. The wisest investigators of
Fungi have studied, not to deter people from eating material so
remarkably well adapted by Nature to the needs of the human
body, but to increase a knowledge of species, so as to lessen the
risk of mistakes and accidents, and to veiify means of rendering
noxious kinds harmless and wholesome.

The name of Fungine has been applied to the solid matter of
Fungi, as apart from the water and soluble extractives contained
in them. This is the nutritive part, but it owes its alimentary
excellence cbiefly to the proteids. These belong to the same class
of matters as the gluten of wheat, the legumin of beans and lentils,
and the caseine of milk. Their composition is identical with that
of the constituents of blood, and hence they are flesh-and-blood-
making material. They exist in all species, but not in the same pro-
portions; consequently some kinds are more nourishing than others.
An analysis of the dry Fungine of certain well-known esculents
sliowed nitrogen to be present in the followiug proportions : — The
Pratelle {Agaricus campestris), 7'26 per cent. The Black Bolet
{Boletus oereus), 4" 70 per cent. The Kedmilk {Lactarius deliciosus),
4"68 per cent. The Bisotte (Russiila Jieterophylla), 4'25 per cent.
The Chantarelle {Cantliarellus cibarius), 3'22 per cent.^

Another chemist ^ found a less percentage in the Pratelle, but
ihe circumstance is attributable to his having employed the cul-
tivated variety {A. hortensis) , for analysis. And other reseai'ches
indicate that the Pratelle loses protein the wider the circumstances
of its growth depai't from the natural condition. As might be
safely supposed, too, it has been proved that the young mushroom
or "button" is far less nutritious than the mature plant. The
proportion of nitrogen in the dried Fungine of the various parts of
the Pratelle is given by the same analyst as follows : — Cap, 3'51
per cent. Gills and Spores, 2"10 per cent. Stem, "34 per cent.

From the most recent analyses it would seem that the commonest
species of Truffle and Morel are the richest in proteinaceous
matter. The relative values are thus set forth, the percentage
being that of the proteids found in the diy Fungine : The Truffle
(Tuber cihariwrn), 35 per cent. The Morel (Morchella et>culenta) ,
3G"25 per cent. The Lorchel {Gyroniitra enculeuta), 2G"31 per
ccnt.'^

' Hopping and Scblossberger. - Lcfort.

^ Die brcdauar urztliche ZciUchriJ't; pro. 1882, Nr. 10, u. 17.

ON THE CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY OF FUNGI. 151

By way of comparison, let some familiar examples of vegetable
food be similarly examined. We sball find tlie proteids in their
dry substance to be as follows : — Lentils, 29"31 per cent. Peas,
28'02 per cent. Barley, 17 per cent. Wheat, 16 per cent. Rye,
12 per cent. Potatoes, 1'66 per cent. Turnips, l"o per cent.

These are among the most valuable vegetable foods we possess,
their value depending on the amount of nourishment they afford,
and that being estimated by their richness in proteids. As mush-
rooms are shown to possess proteids in greater quantity, it is evident
they must be of higher nutritive value. But besides the pro-
teinaceous components of Fungi, there are others to be considered.
Foremost is the Cellulose, which constitutes on the average 40 to
50 per cent, of the dry Fungine. This may be held equivalent to
the starch of the other vegetables just mentioned, as an amyloid,
or heat-producer. In the Morel, mannite and glucose exist to the
amount of 9'58 per cent. ; in the Lorchel to that of 5'59 per cent. ;
and in other species in varying proportions. They are important
in an estimate of nutritive constituents. Starch is not found in
Fungi, but the fatty matters, which average 10 or 15 per cent, of
the Fungine, are certainly of alimentary value..

Consideration of these facts shows that Fungi have a very high
economic value. They afford food which is readilj^ adaptable,
agreeable, and especially sustaining. The knowledge that there
exist species permeated by poisonous juices has not been sufficient
to* deter men from eating innocent ones. It is instinct which
tempts the poor forester or peasant to resort to the use of Fungi
— a true instinct, because a natural craving for suitable food.
Even in our own country, where the knowledge of Fungi has
always been popularly most limited, where dread and prejudice
have ever been exaggerated, there has always been a great liking
for, and large consumption of, the familiar Pratelles. In these
days of light, of increased and widespread knowledge, of waning
prejudice and advanced utility, there is hope that the economic
importance of Fungi may cease to be disregarded. Here are
annual tons of food, now wasted ; and here, too, are poverty and
hunger ! Is it, then, absurd to advocate the use of this food, to
relieve, as far as it may, this distress ? If the more delicate species
could be brought into general favour, then they would assume
marketable value, as is the case abroad ; and the humble gatherers
would gain thereby, while also learning to make use themselves of
less choice kinds. In Ireland, a few years ago, there was failure

152 ON THE CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY OF FUNGI.

of tlie harvest and consequent famine. But the same unusual
moisture which accelei*ated the potato-disease, also favoured the
growth of Fungi. People starved — even to death — ignoi'ant that
all around, in every wood, field, pasture, waste, and even bog, the
earth was offering a store of food, nutriment of a far richer sort
than the potato. One autumn the author saw, in Yorkshire, im-
mense quantities of certain Fungi, which are best adapted for drying,
salting down, and otherwise being stored up, neglected as usual,
a:id rotting where they grew. In the same neighbourhood there
was great distress in the ensuing winter. Had those crops of
Fungi been utilized, surely they would have been of some avail,
even if not of much ! These are high grounds, but they are true
grounds, on which to base advocacy of fungus-eating, a subject
which English people are prone to consider a ridiculous one !

Those Fungi which contain poisonous elements are in other
respects similarly constituted to their innocuous congeners. Hence
they are equally nourishing food, if they could be deprived of their
veuom. In some cases this can be done. Some pi'ocess of washing
or maceration removes or neutralizes the poisonous principle, and
the fungus becomes fit for food. In this way some species which
are undoubtedly poisonous are actually treated and eaten by the
peasantry of ilussia, France, and elsewhere. But it is advisable
to remember that a method sufficient in the case of one species or
a series of species may be quite ineffective in the case of other
species. Yet it is quite possible that a process might be found
that would eliminate the poison of any species, and render the
mushroom harmless and esculent. Let not the reader be surprised
at this. There is analogy in the case of the common article of
food known as tapioca. That substance is prepared from a root
whose juices are poisonous in a high degree ; jet no one hesitates
to eat it, therefore. Why may not th.e richer material of Fungi be
freed from deleterious essences likewise ? Nor has the fact that
poisonous species of Fungi may be rendered harmless and edible,
been gathered solely from rural traditions and usages. It has
been tested and expei'imented on by many men of science, and
various noted names ^ can be cited in support of it, to a greater or
less extent.

Such English authors of medical and scientific works as make
any allusion to the poison of Fungi, or to its effects, appear to

• Boudicr, Bulliard, Chansarel, Cordier, Gerard, Germnnn, Gobley, Krapf,
Leu/., Letellier, I'aukt, Poutick, I'ouchet, Scbradcr, etc., etc.

ON THE CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY OF FUNGI. 153

have been under the impression that the poisonous element in all
kinds of Fungi must necessarily be identical, both as to its charac-
ter and as to its effects. Nothinar could be farther fi"om the truth.
The poisonous essences of different Fungi are radically diverse. In
species of the same genus or sub-genus, where there is close alliance,
the poisonous essences preserve a certain family resemblance as
to their action, generally, though not invariably. But those of
different genera often manifest entirely vai-ious characters. There
are fungus poisons belonging to each of the three gi-and classes :
narcotic, narcotico-acrid, and irritant or caustic. Some of these
have specific action, influencing some particular organ or organs
of the body. A prominent example of these is Ergotine, which
is a principle found in Glaviceps purpurea, a kind of bunt parasitic
in the ear of rye and some other cereals. Its peculiar action is
well known, and has caused it to be largely employed in medicine.
Among the larger Fungi, the objects of our present inquiry, one
or two specific principles have also been found. But researches
into these particulars have been so limited that a vast field still
lies open to the explorer. It is the more to be regretted that
inquiry is practically forbidden here, by that singular enactment
of ignorant philanthropy, which makes it an offence to conduct
experiments on animals. For that is, of course, the only way in
which satisfactory knowledge of the actions of these principles
could be obtained. We Britons must look to foreign sources for
more light.

The great genus Agaricus contains a number of poisonous
species. The principles of these have severally a widely diverse
action. But where more than one species in a sub-genus are
permeated by a noxious constituent, then these essences are found
to be of similar character, though not perhaps actually identical.
Those of which most is known are the poisonous species of the
sub-genus Amanita. This sub-genus contains some entirely whole-
some and esculent species, and six which have been demonstrated
to be poisonous ; besides some others whose qualities have not yet
been determined. The order of their relative noxiousness may be
stated as follows: — The worst is Am. phalloides ; then come ^7?i.
mappa and Am. verna ; then Am.^ muscaria ; and lastly. Aim. excelsa
and A'm. pantherina. Whether the poisons of these Amanites are
identical or not, when they are extracted, is yet uncertain. But there
is no doubt that the plants are not equally virulent. To eat but a
portion of one mature specimen of Am. phalloides is almost certain

154 ON THE CHEMISTEY AND TOXICOLOGY OF FUNGI.

death, and the two next are but little less dangerous. Am. muscaria,
whose scarlet cap with white warts is so often seen, enjoys a worse
reputation in England than it deserves. It has rarely proved
fatal, though eaten in large quantity. The remaining two are
even less deleterious. Am. muscaria is the poisonous mushroom
best known in England. This is partly because it is conspicuous
and common, and partly because a decoction of it is an old-fashioned
means of exterminating flies. Great cajoital has also been made of
the story that it is used as an intoxicant by the natives of Kam-
stchatka. This tale, so often repeated, decidedly wants sifting.
No doubt there is some substratum of truth in it. But the eifects
produced by this species of fungus, or by its active principle
]\Iuscarine, differ altogether from the kind of intoxication the
Kamstchatdales are said to derive from it. But these circum-
stances have drawn much attention to the species. Muscarine, or
an extract so called, has been introduced into medicine as a
sialogogue, which it is in small doses, and as a remedy for epilepsy,
which it cei'tainly is not. The plant is eaten both in North
Russia and in Southern France, but of course after being boiled
and washed to carry off the Muscarine.

The Anianitines, as we may term the various extractive essences
of these Amanites, are narcotico-acrid. If the mushrooms are
eaten, they are wholly digested before symptoms appear, so that
evacuation is impossible or useless. Often twenty-four hours
elapse between ingestion and the commencement of morbid symp-
toms. Tliese are principally of a nervous character, though there
is some irritation of the digestive canal as well. Progress is
speedy ; delirium, narcotism, coraa, death ; or in fortunate cases,
very slow and j^ainful recovery. Am,, phalloides kills in a few
hours after the first symptoms appear. The poison, in this species,
resides most largely in the bulb of the stem. If any of these
plants are brought in contact with scratches or abrasions on the
hand or elsewhere, the poison will be absorbed and produce its
ordinary effects ; but no local inflammation is set up.

In 1854, Frederic Gerard proved, in a somewhat dramatic
manner, that the Amanitines could be easily separated, and the
plants rendered fit for food. He demonstrated this before a com-
mission appointed by the Conseil de Salubrite of Paris. The
method adopted was this. Gerard put three spoonfuls of A-incgar,
or two of grey salt, in a litre of water. He took 500 gi-m. of
Am. phalloides, Am, 'muscaria, and other Amanites, cut them in

ON THE CHEMISTET AND TOXICOLOGY OF FUNGI. 155

pieces, and steeped them in the solution two hours, then draining
them and rinsing in fresh water. He then put them into cold,
pure water, and brought this to boil, keeping it boiling for half
an hour. Then again the mushrooms were drained, rinsed in
fresh water, and lastly dried in a cloth. They were then dressed
in some simple fashion and eaten by Gerard and his family,
proving to be quite harmless.^ It was thus shown that any of the
Amanites, however deadly in their natural state, could be rendered
eatable. But we must be careful not to assume, without farther
proof, that this method is efficient in the case of noxious mush-
rooms belonging to other subgenera or genera.

Entoloma clypeata, and probably other Entolomes, contains an
essence which differs fi'om those of the Amanites. It begins to act
not until hours have elapsed after ingestion. The sjonptoms are
dizziness, vertigo, confusion of mind, partial paralysis, and even-
tually coma, ending in slow recovery or speedy death. There is
no irritant effect, or only slight and indirect, so the poison may
be classed as narcotic simply. The poisons of certain Hebelomes
seem to be similar, but slightly irritant as well ; whereas those
of Hypholomes are terribly irritant, and only slightly narcotic.

Poisonous species of the genus Russula act with extreme rapidity.
No sooner is the mushroom swallowed, or even taken into the
mouth if raw, than the poison attacks the mucous membrane of
the throat and aasophagus. Russuline, so to call it, is frightfully
irritant. The Avhole tract of the alimentary canal becomes rapidly
inflamed ; there is vomiting, dysentery, and severe ulceration of the
bowels. Nervous derangement accompanies the latter stage. But
the very nature of the poison minimizes its effects. The system is
relieved by the vomiting and purging, and moreover, some amount
must be eaten to produce a fatal ending. It is to be noted, too,
as will be seen in the catalogue, that there are differences in the
nature of the poisonous species of Russula. Krapf could not
separate the poison from B. emetica by boiling or maceration,
whereas B. fragilis appears to be so rendered harmless, and is then
eaten about Nice. In the North of France, people seem to eat all
sorts of Russules promiscuously, but they soak them in vinegar
and water before dressing them. Probably this destroys the poison.
B. rubra is more narcotic in its effects than B. emetica, though both
are equally irritant. All the noxious Russules sting the tongue if

' Ixcvue Scientijlque et InduUrielle, 1854,

156 ON THE CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY OF FUNGI.

tasted raw, while innocuous species are bland. Tins hint may be
a safeguard to those Avho gather them.

Lactai'ine, if the poisons found in the genus Lactarius may so be
termed, produces much the same train of symptoms as Russuline.
But it is more to be dreaded. It acts much more slowly, hence
there is little or no vomiting, the mushroom is retained in the
stomach, the poison more fully imbibed, and the resulting ulcera-
tion and agony more frightful. Convulsions and paralysis often
appear before the end. Lact. rvfus, the Slayer, is decidedly the
worst, and has caused many fatalities. A mere touch of its milk
on the tongue inflames the mo^^th and fauces, as the author knows
to his cost. But acridity in this genus is not an invariable sign of
poison, as it is in Russula. The Lactarine is blended with some
acrid resinous matter. On account of the resinous constituent, the
poison cannot be separated by boiling, washing, or maceration
in plain water. But the usage of Russians and Poles appeal's to
show that salt and vinegar neutralize Lactarine. In various parts
of Europe the poisonous Lactars are safely eaten, after having lain
in pickle or brine for some time. There is much difference, too,
in the relative virulence of species.

Boletine, a poisonous essence found in a few species of Boletus,
is a simple irritant, giving rise to no nervous derangement at all.
It appears to be slightly emetic and powerfully purgative. It acts
Avithin an hour or two of ingestion, and the effects are speeder and
transitory, leaving no ill consequences. Very rai'ely has even B.
satanas, the most virulent species, caused more than a passing colic.
B. luridus does not develop the Boletine until full grown, and in
all species containing it the essence is sparingly diffused. Debility
caused by the purging is the worst symptom to be feared. Bole-
tine is volatile, and disappears altogether when the Bolets are
dried.

Gyromitra esculenta is the only species of all the Elvellacei ascer-
tained to be poisonous. It has a unique history. As will be seen
from its name, it has always been considered edible. In great part
of Germany it is a very common mushroom, appearing in spi'ing,
and being brought to market in large quantities. But now and
then accidents Avcre traced to it, and a belief arose that it must be
unsafe sometimes, under unknown conditions. Here, Avhere the
species is uncommon, and where there are few who would eat it,
it was suflicient for Berkeley to note the circumstance. And no
doubt this helped to create or perpetuate the belief that any

ON THE CHEMISTEY AND TOXICOLOGY OF FUNGI. 157

imisliroom might be unsafe " sometimes," no one knowing why or
how. But in Germany, where this species is largely eaten, and
greatly esteemed, both for its flavour and nutritiousness, the un-
certainty regarding it attracted much attention. Prof. Ponfick,
of Breslau, undertook a protracted series of experiments, and
succeeded in establishing the character of the species, at the same
time demolishing the theory of uncertainty and variableness. He
found in the species an essential principle which may for the
present be termed Lorcheline. This, however, is but sparingly
diffused in the plant, and is removable by boiling water. (See
Culinary Receipts, No. 112.) If eaten unboiled to the extent of a
quarter or half a pound, sickness would result, and death might
follow the consumption of a pound or two. But it is customary
on the Continent to scald mushrooms before cooking, and no doubt
that practice had some effect in minimizing accidents, as they had
occurred in small proportion to the quantity of Lorchels annually
consumed. When diied, too, the Lorchel slowly loses the poisonous
essence. It begins to disappear a month after drying, and in six
months the mushrooms are quite innocuous. Lorcheline, according
to Ponfick, is not narcotic, nor does it attack the mucous mem-
brane of the alimentary canal. It has specific action on the
kidneys, causing elimination of the red corpuscles of the blood,
and setting up acute nephritis and congestion o-f the spleen and
liver.

From these examples it will be seen that the poisonous essences [
of different Fungi are of very varied kind. It is evident they
must be discriminated, one from another. Little has yet been
done to ascertain their precise and varying qualities, and no more
can be added to what has just been said on this subject. But
there are sundry reasons why the examination of fungus prin-
ciples should be recommended to the notice of physicians, chemists,
and toxicologists. In the first place, some of these essences have
specific action. The example of Ergot should encourage further
research. For there may lurk in certain Fungi as yet undreamt
of agencies of a kind invaluable in medicine. Some of these
essences may have actions as unique and valuable as that of
Ergot, though of a different kind, and might prove to be weapons
of power in the struggle with disease.

In certain instances it has been shown that the poisonous
essences are easily removable from the bulk of the plant, or that
they can be destroyed, neutralized, or rendered inert, or that they

158 ON THE CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY OF FUNGI.

are volatile and disappeai*. Extended inquiry into these charac-
teristics might enable us to render available a larger number of
Funo'i for food ; and it has been shown of what valuable quality
that food is. If Fungine were never to be taken into favour as
human food, is it not possible that it could be prepared as a food
for domestic animals ?

So little is known, generally speaking, about fungus-poisons,
that if a physician were called to a case of fungus-poisoning, he
would be quite at sea. Without knowing anything about Fungi,
or about the action of their essences, how would it be possible for
him to act ? His diagnosis would not tell him what to do ; and if
he knew nothing of the special corpus delicti, nothing of the train
of symptoms it would set up, how could he make a prognosis at
all ? He could only meet such symptoms as he saw, without
knowing what might be expected to follow. He would take
refuge in the stomach-pump, or emetics, perhaps. In some cases
this would be useless, if Amanites or Entolomes had caused the
poisoning; in others, if, for instance, Lactars were the agents, such
means would but accelerate and increase the disorder — the inflam-
mation of the membranes.

Acute attacks of indigestion, occurring after some meal of
which mushrooms have formed a part, have often been set down
to fungus-poison. The doctor warns the patient, sapiently ! the
patient never again dares to touch a mushroom, and perhaps the
local newspaper fulminates on the subject. It might have been the
cream, the cucumber, the lobster, or the wine ; but no, the mush-
room explains everything to prejudiced opinion ! Again, idiosyn-
cracy of temperament occasionally causes what may be Avrongly
deemed a case of poisoning. The stomachs of some of us have
an antipathy to certain things, which other people eat with
impunity. The author well remembers a case of " fungus-poison-
ing " apropos to this. He had gathered a basket of Chantarelles
and invited a friend to sup with him upon them. The friend was
timorous and ate sparingly ; the author devoured the greater part
of the dainty dish. A few hours later the friend finds himself
" poisoned," vomiting, purging, etc., though the author never felt
better. Curious ! People look askance at the author, and for
some days blame him severely. At length comes the explanation.
The friend was the victim of sei-ious organic mischief. His eco-
nomy was in fault, not the Chantarelles. Many wholesome and
familiar viands acted similarly upon him. Yet, seriously, mush-

ON THE CHEMISTEY AND TOXICOLOGY OF FUNGI. 159

rooms have often been set down as poisonous on no better
grounds.^

In a real case of poisoning by a fnngus, no physician is in a
position to cope with the disorder unless he knows more than
most physicians do. Unless he knows the radical differences of
fungus-poisons, knows the actions peculiar to each, or to each
series, and can recognise the one which he has to deal with, upon
what is he to base his line of treatment ? It has been stated that
the more narcotic poisons do not begin to act until digestion has
far advanced. The stomach-pump, or evacuatory remedies are
useless in such, cases. When symptoms appear shortly after
ingestion, one of tbe caustic poisons is to be feared, and then
evacuatory means would probably only aggravate the mischief.
In the latter case the author would be inclined to trust to the
exhibition of oil and demulcents in large quantities, perhaps with
subcutaneous injection of morphia, to be followed by strengthen-
ing and stimulating remedies in due course. To meet the narcotic
poisons, astringents might be useful with, in some cases, stimu-
lants, in others, such sedatives as bromide of potassium. But
these are no more than suggestions. More investigation is needed ;
more knowledge required, more certainty essential.

There is yet another startling and formidable reason why the
examination of fungus-poisons should be pressed upon the atten-
tion of those most fitted to undertake such a task. Suppose that
a modern Locusta, or, say, another Pritchard, were to arise, and
to find a weapon, secret and sure, drawn from this department of
the vegetable kingdom. Let us suppose that the poisoner used
Lorcheline, for instance. We have no physician who could
diagnose the case, because all knowledge of fungus-poisons is a
dead letter here. The poison in question acts in so peculiar a
manner, disturbing neither the brain nor the alimentary canal,
that the mischief would probably be relegated to organic or
functional disorder — to the visitation of God, as the juries say.
Suppose Bulbosine were used. Physicians could only assume
that a poison had been administered ; they could not swear to it,
because they could not recognise the symptoms. And of any

^ The author has seen esculent mushrooms selected from a heterogeneous
basketful, and upon them has found spores deposited by some poisonous species
which had lain on top of them. Now the spores are often the most virulent
part, and hence these esculent mushrooms might have been thereby rendered
hurtful. This shows that the gatherer should be able to discriminate properly
the species he gathers.

160 ON THE CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY OF FUNGI.

funfyns-poison, there lives not jet the chemist who could find a
trace in the body of one done to death thereby, supposing that
the material of the fungus itself had not been used !

For these reasons and more, the author earnestly urges upon
men of science in this country, men -who have the means, the
opportunity, and the ability for the undertaking, to disregard
Fungi no longer, but to make them the subjects of analysis and
experiment. There is a wide field for new discovery hei-e offered.
The matter is one of high importance. It is unwise to continue
in ignorance of this province of vegetation ; it is foolish to
ridicule the mycologist, as many do ; it is not prudent to disregard
this chapter in the Book of Nature 1

CHAPTER X.

A Catalogue of British Poisonous Fungi.

^*;(. In this list are described all of onr larger Fungi which have
been demonstrated to contain some essential principle which in-
duces morbid effects if taken into the body. Subjoined are notes
stating what is known of each species in pai'ticular, without re-
capitulating what has already been said in the preceding chapter,
to which the reader is referred. Mention is also made of some
species which there is reason to suspect of being poisonous, but
whose qualities have not been ascertained as yet, and which can-
not therefore be certainly stated to contain noxious essences until
further light shall have been thrown upon them. For sundi'y
" suspects " have turned cut, upon careful examination, to be really
quite harmless. This catalogue is imperfect, and affords very
limited information. Still, in conjunction with the last chapter,
the author believes he has collected all precise details on the
subject yet known to the world. The paucity of this knowledge
of fungus toxicology should evidence how desirable it is that
further investigation should be undertaken by the scientific world,
especially here, where the subject has hitherto been almost wholly
overlooked in the right quarters.

OBDEB AG ABIC INI.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-genus AMANITA.

(I.) AGARICUS EXCELSUS; Amanita excelsa ; Tlie Tall
Amanite.

Habitat. On the ground in hilly woods. Solitary.

Season. July to October. Not common.

Pileus. Three to six inches across, grey, grey-buff, moist,
verrucose ; spherical, then convex, plane. Warts large, conical,
scattered, irregular, fugacious. Cuticle tough, separable. Margin
imooth, even, or striate in age.

161 M

162 A CATALOGUE OF BRITISH POISONOUS FUNGI.

Stem. Four to seven inches liigli, white, thick, firm, striate at
apex, squamulose above, squarrose below. Base bulbous. Ring
white, large, medial, tomentose. Volva dingy, fugacious, half-
buried.

Section. Flesh white, unchanging, thick, firm. Stem stuffed.
Gills white, broad, unequal, thick, ventricose, crenulate, rounded
behind, free. Odour and taste agreeable. Spores white.

Obs. Principle narcotico-acrid. Much less virulent than other Amanites.
It3 nature was determined by Tulasne. It must not be mistaken for a Parasol.
— ir.D. If.

(II.) AGARICUS MAPPA; Amanita mappa ; The Sorceress.

Habitat. In woodlands and parks. Scattered or in groups.

Season. July to November. Common.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, usually sulphur-yellow,
sometimes white, greenish, or pale fawn, dry, smooth, glossy, sub-
verrucose ; convex, then plane, even. Warts white, few, flocculose,
fugacious. Cuticle adnate. Margin striate.

Stem. Three to five inches high, white, thick, smooth, attenu-
ate above, bulbous below. Ring membranaceous. Volva slight.

Section. Flesh thickish, white, brittle. Stem stuffed, at length
fistulose. Gills white, numerous, straight, unequal, broad, adnexed.
Odour faintly disagreeable. Taste scarcely unpleasant. Spores
white.

Obs. An exceedingly beautiful species. Its principle is narcotico-acrid, and
the plant is extremely virulent, scarcely less so than Am. phalloides. It is
mentioned in chapter ix. — W. D. H.

(III.) AGARICUS MUSCARIUS ; Amanita muscaria ; The

Scarlet Fly-cap. (Tab. 1. fig. 1.)

Habitat. In woods, parks, hedge-sides, etc. Solitary, or in
groups.

Season. August to November. Common.

Pileus. Three to seven inches across, scarlet, verrucosa, viscid
in wet ; at first spherical on bulb, then convex, expanded, nearly
plane. Warts white, large, angular, conical, numerous. Margin
often orange, thin, striate.

Stem. Two to nine inches high, white, thick, bulbous below.
Ring large, white, deflexed. Volva fragmentary at length.

Section. Flesh white, yellow under cuticle, thick. Stem stuffed.

A CATALOGUE OF BEITISH POISONOUS FUNGI. 163

Gills white, broad, ventricose, iiiiequal, adnexed. Odour faint.
Taste bitterish. Spores white.

Obs. Referred to in chapter ix. Narcotico-acrid, but much less virulent
than other Amanites. It is a species which, under favourable conditions, will
attain extraordinary size. In a bramble -covered pit I found two specimens,
the largest of which was nearly three feet high and some twenty inches across
the pileus. The differences between it and the Blusher are so obvious that a
child would not mistake one for another. But abroad it has been often mis-
taken for the Oronge, which is nearer to it iu colour. — W. D. H.

(IV.) AGARICUS PANTHERINUS ; Amanita pantherina ;
The Panther-cap.

Habitat. On high grounds in and about woodlands. Solitary,
or scattered.

Season. August to IS'ovember. Uncommon.

Pileus. Two to four inches across, livid buff or brownish, con-
centrically verrucose, viscid in wet, soft and smooth in dry weather ;
convex, then expanded, plane. Margin thin, striate. Warts
white, mealy, flat, scale-like, persistent.

Stem. Three to five inches high, white, even, thick, silky-
smooth. Base bulbous. Ring deflexed. Volva close-sheathing,
smooth, edge free.

Section. Flesh not thick, white, unchanging. Stem stuffed,
at length hollow. Gills white, unequal, broad in front, the shorter
ending abruptly, the longer adnexed. Odour slight. Taste salt
and bitter. Spores white.

Obs. Narcotico-acrid, but not virulent. Cordier proved its quality. I once
ate two specimens, before I knew better. In eight or ten hours I experienced
giddiness, vertigo, nervous trembUng, and some time after painful coUc. These
symptoms passed off, but next day urticaria showed itself, and lasted a week.
The species must not be mistaken for the Blusher. — W. D. H.

(V.) AGARICUS PHALLOIDES; Amanita phalloides ; The
Arch Bane.

Habitat. On the ground in and about woods. Singly, or scat-
tered.

Season. August to N^ovember. Common.

Pileus. Two to five inches across, pallid, or white, or livid,
yellowish, greenish ; smooth, glossy in dry weather, viscid in wet,
scarcely or not verrucose; campanulate, then convex, expanded,

164. A CATALOGUE OF BKITISH POISONOUS FUNGI.

plane, obtuse. "Warts floccose, scattered, patchy, fragmentary,
white, fugacious. Margin even, regular, not striate.

Stem. Three to five inches high, white, stout, attenuate above,
8ub-fibrillose, bulbous below. Ring large, membranaceous, de-
flexed. Volva ample, loose, expanded, free.

Section. Flesh thick, white, unchanging. Stem stuffed, at
length hollow above. Gills white, numerous, unequal, rather
broad, straight, free. Odour peculiar. Taste scarcely acrid.
Spores white.

Ohs. Mentioned in chapter ix. It is an elegant species, and probably as
virulent as any known. In youth it is enticing in appearance, and neither
scent nor taste are then against it. The principle, Bulbosine, is a narcotico-
acrid, and is always present. The green variety occurs late. This variety has
been mistaken for the Bisotte by a person who knew nothing of Fungi, and who
took an illustration for his guide, paying no attention to the verbal description.
I probably saved him from death by explaining the mistake, luckily before any
were eaten. There is really no resemblance, if the characters are known. Yet
this shows that plates are deceptive, if not used in conjunction with a descrip.
tion of structure. I think that inferior illustrations are a snare. — W, D. H.

(VI.) AGARICUS VERNUS; Amanita vema ; The Destroying
Angel.

Habitat. In and about woods. Solitary, or in small gx'oups.

Season. May to August. Common locally.

Pileus. Two to four inches across, snow-white, satin-sleek in
dry weather, viscid in wet, patchy-verrucose ; at first ovate in
volva, then campanulate, convex, expanded, plane. Warts floccose,
irregular, few. Margin even, regular, smooth, perhaps fimbriate
at first from veil.

Stem. Three to six inches high, snow-white, elongate, equal
above, bulbous at base. Ring large, high, membranaceous, de-
flexed. Volva large, loose, close-sheathing, persistent, free.

Section. Flesh thickish, white, unchanging. Stem stuffed.
Gills white, numerous, unequal, free. Odour faintly aromatic.
Taste at first mild, in age acrid. Spores white.

Obs. Angelically beautiful and demoniacally poisonous. Narcotico-acrid.
See chapter ix. It reminds me of a bride in white satin and lace. A perfect
specimen I once lit upon in the shade of a dark shrubbery, illuminated by a
stragghng ray of sunshine, through which a red admiral butterfly fluttered down
upon it, afforded me an artistic feast. It must not be mistaken for any of the
white spring esculents. Before leaving this sub-genus, I may note that Am.
spissa, Am. lenticularis, and Am. adnata are suspicious species, though nothing
pertain seems to be known about them. — W. D. H.

A CATALOGUE OF BBITISH POISONOUS FUNGI. 165

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-genus CLITOCYBE.

(VII.) AGARICUS INVERSUS; Clitocybe inversa; The
Infamous Clitocybe.

Habitat. In woods and under trees. Scattered, or in tufts.

Season. September to November. I^ot common.

Pileus. Some two inches across, red-brown, then tan, smooth,
sleek ; convex, then plane, at length infundibuliform. Margin
thin, even, involute.

Stem. One to two inches high, tint of pileus, slender, rigid,
equal, smooth, often bent, naked.

Section. Flesh pallid, thin, fragile. Stem stuffed, at length
fistulose. Gills pallid, then tan, simple, narrow, sub-serrulate, very
decurrent. Odour sour. Taste repelling. Spores white.

Obs. Paulet, L'Ecluse, and Kickx state it to be poisonous, but do not assign
character to the noxious princijile it contains. Clit. flaccida is also said to be
poisonous. It differs from the above species by flabby habit, arcuate gills, and
yellowish gills and stem, otherwise resembling it. — IF. D. H.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-genus COLLYBIA.

(VIII.) AGARICUS DRYOPHILUS; CoUyhia dryopMla; The
Leaf-bane.

Habitat. Among dead leaves under trees. Singly or in tufts.

Season. May to November. Common.

Pileus. One to two inches across, pallid, livid, dusky buff, or
pale pinky tan, smooth, perhaps polished, soft ; hemispherical,
then plane, slightly depressed, obtuse, even.

Stem. Two to three inches high, tint of pileus, pale below,
slender, smooth, sleek, fragile, perhaps split, naked, sub-incrassate,
at base, attached to leaves by villose filaments.

Section. Flesh pallid, watery, thin, soft. Stem hollow. Gills
pallid or discoloured, numerous, soft, narrow, serrulate, sinuate,
free at first, then denticulato-adnexed. Odour mouldy. Taste
bitter and nauseous. Spores white.

Obs. Its essential principle is irritant, but is not very virulent. The species
is repelling, but inexperienced gatherers might mistake it for the Oread. —
W. D. H.

166 A CATALOGUE OF BRITISH POISONOUS FUNGI.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-genus ENTOLOMA.

(IX.) AGARICUS CLYPEATUS ; Entoloma cljrpeata ; The

Buckler.

Habitat. In woods, shrubberies, and gardens. By twos and

threes.

Seaso7i. April to June. Not uncommon,

Pileus. Three to six inches across, grey-tawny, streaked and
spotted, dry, smooth, sleek, silky, sub-farinose, hygrophanous ;
campanulate, then expanding, depresso-umbonate. Margin sinuate,
undulate.

Stem. Two to four inches high, dingy or grey, streaked with
tawny, attenuate and farinose above, fibrillose below, firm, naked.

Section. Flesh not thick, white, brittle. Stem stuffed, then
fistulose. Gills dingy pink, then dull red, large, serrulate, rounded
behind, adnexed, or denticulato-adnate. Odourless. Taste mild.
Spores pink.

Obs. This species is intensely poisonous, even in small quantities. Its
principle seems to be wholly narcotic. See chapter ix. The sub-geuus is a
dangerous one, for the esculent Entolomes are closely resembled by congeners
of unknown quality, some of which, such as Ent. repanda, are reputed to be
noxious. — W. D. U.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-genus HEBELOMA.

(X.) AGARICUS CRUSTULINIFORMIS ; Heheloma crustulini-
formi3 ; The Snake in the Grass.

Habitat. In woods, parks, commons, grass-fields. In wide
rings.

Season. July to November. Common.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, whitey-bulf, yellowish, tan,
tawny on disc, smooth, shining and viscid in wet ; convex, then
plane, repand. Margin somewhat sinuate and depressed.

Stem. Two to four inches high, pallid, discoloured, firm, thick,
naked, squamulose above, glabrous and swollen below.

Section. Flesh thin, pallid. Stem stuffed. Gills fawn, then
red-brown, crowded, thin, narrow, unequal, crenulate, holding dew-
drops, free. Odour of radish. Taste nasty. Spores brown.

Obs. Narcotico-acrid, but not a powerful poison. This, as well as other
Hebelomes, is very hardy. Though the seasons assigned seem the normal ones,
yot in mild and wet winters and springs I have noticed Hebelomes appearing
iu eome abundance, — W. D. II.

A CATALOGUE OF BEITISH POISONOUS FUXGI. 167

(XI.) AGARICUS FASTIBILIS; Hebeloma fastibilis; The
Repellant. (Tab. III. fig. 20.)

Habitat. In woods and fields. In groups and clusters.

Season. July to November. Common.

Fileus. Two to three inches across, pallid, buff, perhaps tawny,
smooth, viscid in wet ; campanulate or convex, then plane, repand,
sinuate. Margin pale, involute, sub-tomentose.

Stevi. Two to four inches high, pallid, thick, bent, fibrilloso-
squamose, sub-incrassate, rooting, retaining fragments of veil.

Section. Flesh white,, thickish, compact. Stem solid, fissured
at length. Gills pallid, then tan^ broad, ventricose, irregular, un-
equal, numerous, emarginate, adnexed. Odour strong, nauseous,
like cherry-laurel flowers. Taste bitter, nauseous. Spores brown.

Obs. It is of similar quality to the preceding, but possibly more virulent. —
W. D. H.

(XII.) AGARICUS RIMOSUS; Hebeloma rimosa; The
>Slit-Cap.

Habitat. In woodlands and wastes. In groups and clusters.

Season. June to October.. Common.

Pileus. One to three inches across, brown-yellow, tawny, satin-
smooth, polished, but fibrillose ; conical, campanulate, then
expanded and sharply umbonate;. rimose, the chinks radiating
from centre and yellow.

Stem. One to three inches high, whitish, slender, farinose
above, naked, fibrillose and enlarged below.

Section. Flesh thin, white, stained yellow,, firm. Stem stuffed.
Gills pallid, soon brown, numerous, unequal, crenulate, narrow,
sinuate, adnexed or free. Odour earthy. Taste nauseous. Spores
brown.

Obs. The exact character of the poisonous principle has not been ascertained,
but may be regarded as narcotico-acrid, probably mostly acrid. No Hebelomes
are eatable, and others than these are suspected to be noxious. — W. D. H.

Genus AGABICUS. Sub-genus HYPHOLOMA.

(XIII.) AGARICUS FASCICULARIS ; Eypholoma fascicularis ;
The Sulphur- Tuft.

Habitat. On old stumps, tree roots, and buried deadwood, in
damp places. In dense tufts.

168 A CATALOGUE OF BEITISH POISONOUS FUNGI.

Season. June to N'ovember. Common.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, sulphur-yellow and greenish,
with tawny disc, smooth, glabrous, moist ; conical or convex, then
plane and sub-umbonate. Margin thin, involute, fimbriate with
veil-fragments.

Stem. Two to nine inches high, green-yellow, slender, unequal,
bent, floccoso-fibrillose, sometimes attenuate and tomentose at
base. Ring yellow, fibrous, high, patent, upper side sprinkled
with the dark spores.

Section. Flesh sulphur yellow, thickish, firm. Stem hollow,
Gills yellow, then greenish, overlaid by purple-black spores,
crowded, unequal, linear, serrulate, moist, denticulato-adnate.
Odour and taste repelling. Spores purple-black.

Ohs. A most dangerous species. The poisonous principle is intensely
virulent, and is a drastic irritant. Site and habit are those of the Spindlesbank
and Stumptuft, but the colouring of the Hypholomes is distinctive. — W. D. H.

(XIV.) AGARICUS LACRYMABUNDUS ; Hypholoma lacryma-
bunda ; The Crocodile. (Tab. IV. fig. 29.)

Habitat. On tree-trunks, stumps, and the ground. In tufts.

Season. June to November. Uncommon.

Pileus. Two to four inches across, pale red-brown, disc dark,
epotted, fibrilloso-squamulose ; campanulate, then convex, expand-
ing. Margin thin, firm, even, incurved, fringed with veil-frag-
ments.

Stem. Two to three inches high, whitish above, dingy below,
slender, flexuose, firm, elastic, fibrilloso-squamulose, enlarged at
base. Ring dusky, floccose.

Section. Flesh thickish, dingy, firm. Stem hollow. Gills
pallid, then red-brown, clouded with dark spores, numerous,
ventricose, adnate. Odour repulsive. Taste nauseous. Spores
purple-black.

Ols. Like the preceding in quality. Intensely irritant. It is bowed with
the weight of its guilt !—>F. 1>. i/.

(XV.) AGARICUS SUBLATERITIUS ; Hypholoma sublateritia -,
The Red-Tuft.

Habitat. On stumps, tree-roots, and the ground. In dense
tufts.

A CATALOGUE OF BEITISH POISONOUS FUNGI. 169

Season. September to November. Common.

Fileus. Two to three inches across, brick-red, disc dark, sericeo-
tomentose at first, then smooth, glabrous, dry; convex, obtuse,
plane, flattened. Margin involute, fimbriate with veil-fragments.

Stem. Two to five inches high, yellow above, reddish below,
slender, attenuate downwards, fii^m, flexuose, silky at first, then
fibrillose. Hing high, distinct, filamentous, fugacious.

Section. Flesh thickish, white, compact. Stem stuffed. Gills
whitish olive, then olive brown, blackened with spores, crowded,
unequal, rounded behind, denticulato-adnate. Odour feebly dis-
agreeable. Taste bitter. Spores purple-black.

Ohs. As the two last, permeated by an intensely irritant principle. Hypli.
epixantha and Hyph. velutina are strongly suspected of the same qualities.
Nothing is known of other members of the sub-genus, but no good can be said
of them. The one edible is of doubtful quality, and rare here. — W. D. H.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-genus LEPIOTA.

(XVI.) AGARICUS VITTADINI ; Lepiota Vittadini ; The Great
White Parasol.

Habitat. On the ground in woods, parks, and shady pastures
Solitary, or in twos and threes.

Season. June to October. Rare.

Fileus. Three to six inches across, snow-white, cuticle broken
into warty, serrated scales ; convex, expanded, broadly umbonate,
robust, regular. Margin fimbriate and shaggy.

Stem. Five to seven inches high, white, stout, cylindrical,
squamose below, scales reflected, rough. Ring high, large, deflexed.

Section. Flesh thick, white, compact. Stem solid. Gills white,
few, distant, thick, ventricose, free. Odour slight, not unpleasant.
Taste mild, afterwards pungent. Spores white.

Ohs. Rare here. A large and handsome species. Distinguished from it«
esculent congeners by entire whiteness. It is not virulent, but contains a
principle which is narcotic, and perhaps slightly acrid. — W. D. H.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-genus FANMOLUS.

(XVII.) AGARICUS PAPILIONACEUS ; Panffiolns papiliona-
cens ; The Butterfly-Cap.

Habitat. On dung and rich soil, anywhere. In groups.

170 A CATALOGUE OF BRITISH POISONOUS FUNGI.

Season. June to October. Common.

Pileus. Half to one incli across, fawn, sub-rufescent, smooth,
sleek, never viscid, sometimes rimose or sub-squamulose ; bemis-
plierical, then conico-convex, even. Margin projecting.

Stem. Two to tbi^e inches high, rufescent, slender, even, equal,
pulverulent above. Veil fugacious.

Section. Flesh pallid, thickish. Stem stuffed or hollow. Gills
fawn, clouded with black spores, crowded, broad, entire, at first
ascending, then plane, equal, adnate. Odour feeble. Taste
nauseous. Spores black.

06s. It is certainly poisonous, but the action of its essence is undetermined.
Others of its congeners are suspected, but they are all insignificant in size, and
not hkely to be mistaken for any esculent. — W. D. H.

Geiins AGARICUS. Sttb-gemis PHOLIOTA.

(XVIII.) AGARICUS AURIVELLUS; Pholiota aurivella ; The

Guilty-sprout.

Habitat . On trunks of willows and pollard's. Singly.

Season. September and October. Rare.

Pileus. Some three inches across, golden-yellow and tawny-
squamose, viscid in wet ; hemispherical, then campanulate, convex,
expanded, gibbous. Scales thick-set on disc, scattered at margin,
tawny, adpressed.

Stem. Three or four inches high, yellow, tawny-squamose,
curved, hard, unequal, sub-bulbous. Ring high, toi"n.

Section. Flesh pallid, thickish, tough. Stem stuffed, brown
within base. Gills pallid, then yellow, at length brown, fixed,
broad, straight, sinuate, adnate. Odour disagreeable. Taste
bitterish. Spores brown.

Ohs. Sundry authorities affirm this species to be poisonous, but the character
of its essence is unknown. It might easily be mistaken for one of the esculent
Pholiotes. Pho. radicosa is also. suspected, but apparently only because it has
the scent of bitter almonds. — W. D. 11.

Genm AGARICUS. Sub-genus PSALLIOTA.

(XIX.) AGARICUS SYLVATICUS ; Psalliota sylvatica ; The

Wood Pratelle.

Ilahitat. In woods, under trees and hedcres. Scattered.

A CATALOGUE OF BRITISH POISONOUS FUNGI. 171

Season. August to October. Not common.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, white, at length dusky-
squamose and flocculose ; campanulate, then expanded, nearly-
plane or uneven and sub-umbonate. Margin at last rimose.

Stem. Three to four inches high, white, or dingy, slender,
unequal. Base incrassate. Ring distant, simple.

Section. Flesh thin, white, yellowing where cut. Stem stuffed,
at length fistulose. Gills pallid, then grey-pink, at last brown,
thin, crowded, dry, unequal, attenuate before and behind, free.
Odour strong, not unpleasant. Taste mild. Spores purplish.

Obs. There is much uncertainty regarding this species, owing to the very
variable way in which the Pratelles have been hitherto described. I have eaten
it, I beheve, in a dish of other Pratelles. But Cordier asserts he has known a
single specimen induce symptoms. It is narcotico-acrid, but evidently not in a
powerful degree. Its site and slender habit distinguish it from other Pratelles.
—W. D. H.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-getivs PSILOCYBE.

(XX.) AGARICUS SEMILANCEATUS ; Psilocyhe semilanceata ;
The Liberty-cap.

Habitat. In rich pastures, grassy roadsides, etc. In groups
and clusters.

Season. April and May, September and October. Common.

Pileus. About three-quarters of an inch broad and high, pale
buff or drab, smooth, glabrous, sleek in dry weather, viscid in wet ;
conical, campanulate, obtusely cuspidate. Margin sub-striate,
thin, dark, translucent.

Stem. Two to four inches high, pallid, drab, very slender,
flexuose, tough, equal, smooth, naked. Base enlarged, perhaps
blue-tomentose.

Section. Flesh membranaceous. Stem fistulose. Gills brown,
then purple-black, ascending, ventricose, serrate, adnate. Odour-
less. Taste nauseous. Spores purple.

Ohs. Berkeley says it is certainly poisonous. The principle seems to e
irritant.— PT. D. H.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-genus STROPHARIA.

(XXI.) AGARICUS SEMIGLOBATUS ; Stropharia semiglobata ;
The Skull-cap.

172 A CATALOGUE OF BEITISH POISONOUS FUNGI.

Habitat. On dung, and in meadows. In tufts, and scattered.

Seas07i. May to December. Common.

Pileus. Half to one inch across, pallid, dingy, or buff-drab,
smooth, sleek, viscid in wet ; hemispherical, even, obtuse.

Stem. Two to four inches high, tint of pileus, slender, upright,
silky-smooth, viscid in wet, even, equal. Base slightly enlarged.
Ring slight, complete, membranaceous, often blackened.

Sectio7i. Flesh thin, white, soft. Stem fistulose. Gills pallid,
clouded with black, very broad, horizontal, serrulate, denticulate,
broadly adnate. Odourless. Taste insipidly disagreeable. Spores
purplish.

Ohs. Its principle is irritant, but not strongly developed. The species grows
among Oreads, and has sometimes been carelessly mingled with them. Stro.
ffirugiuosa is also suspected. — IV. D. H.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-genus TRICHOLOMA.

(XXII.) AGARICUS SPERMATICUS ; Tricholoma spermatica ;
The Stinker.

Habitat. In woods of fir and pine. Scattered.

Season. September to November. Uncommon.

Pileus. Three to five inches across, white, smooth, glabrous,
viscid in wot ; obtusely convex, then irregularly expanded, repand
or lobulate. Margin thin, membranaceous, sinuate.

Stem. Two to three inches high, white, stout, even, smooth,
perhaps bent, naked.

Section. Flesh white, thick, compact. Stem stuffed, at length
hollow. Gills white, broad, thick, distant, eroded, sub-emarginate,
adnexed. Odour strong and nasty. Taste repelling. Spores
white.

Obs. Generally regarded as poisonous. Nature of principle unknown. —
W. D. 11.

(XXIII.) AGARICUS SULFUREUS ; Tricholoma sulfurea ;
The Yellow Reptile.

Habitat. In or near woodlands, among grass and fern. Singly.

Season. September to November. Common.

nieiis. One to three inches across, sulphur-yellow, dingy, disc
dark, dry, silky-pulverulent ; obtusely conical, then convex, ex-

A CATALOGUE OF BRITISH POISONOUS FUNGI. 173

panded, depresso-umbonate, unequal, sinuate. Margin involute at
first, tomentose. Cuticle adnate.

Stem. Two to three inches high, yellow, not thick, nearly equal,
smooth, glabrous, striate, naked, rooting.

Section. Flesh yellow, thickish, compact. Stem stuffed, per-
haps hollow. Gills yellow, broad, distant, arcuate, pointed be-
hind, sinuate, adnate. Odour of rotten hemp-seed. Taste nauseous.
Spores faintly yellow.

Obs. It is provided with a principle that is strongly irritant. Some authori-
ties also suspect Tri. murinacea, Tri. saponacea, Tri. bufonia, and Tri. rutilans,
but none of them have actually been proved poisonous. — W. D. H.

Genus AGARICUS. Sub-genus VOLVARIA.

(XXIV.) AGARICUS PARVULUS ; Volvaria parvula ; The Little
Volvar.

Habitat. In meadows. Scattered.

Season. August to October. Not common.

Pileus. One inch across, white, dry, silky-tomentose ; conical
in volva, then expanded, convex, umbonate, even.

Stem. One inch high, white, slender, equal, silky-tomentose,
naked. Volva small, pallid, lobed, persistent.

Section. Flesh white, thickish. Stem stuffed. Gills rosy, un-
equal, broad, thick, free. Odourless. Taste bland. Spores pink.

Obs. Sometimes plentiful after thunderstorms. Its poison seems to be
narcotico-acrid. Probably this species has often been mistaken for "button "
Pratelles by careless or inexperienced people. It is therefore dangerous. —
TV. D. H.

(XXV.) AGARICUS SPECIOSUS ; Volvaria speciosa ; The
Specious Volvar.

Habitat. In fields and shi^ubberies, on dunghills, etc. Solitary.

Season. September and October. Uncommon.

Pileus. Two to four inches across, grey, darkest on disc, smooth,
glossy, viscid in wet ; campanulate in volva, then convex, rounded,
plane, even. Margin finely striate.

Stem. Three to four inches high, white, pinky above, attenuate
upwards, thick, glabrous. Base swollen, villose. Volva white,
loose, thin, villose, torn.

Section. Flesh not thick, white, soft. Stem solid, fibrous. Gills

174 A CATALOGUE OF BEITISH POISONOUS FUNGI.

pallid, soon rosy, numerous, unequal, broad beliind, free. Odour
sti'oug, not pleasant. Taste rather nauseous. Spores pink.

Obs. Its principle is probably narcotico-acrid, but is not very virulent. Vol.
gloiocepbala is like this, but larger, taller, and iimbonate. It is said to contain
the same principle. Either might be mistaken for the Grisette, if the pink gills
and spores were not noted. — IF. D. H.

(XXVI.) AGARICUS VOLVACEUS ; Volvaria volvacea ; The

Striped Volvar. (Tab. II. fig. 10.)

Habitat. On tan, dung, compost, etc., anywhere. In twos and
threes.

Season. June to October. Not common.

Pileus. Two or three inches across, grey, with black radiating
stripes, floccoso-fibrillose, not viscid ; campanulate in volva, then
convex, expanded, rounded, even.

Stem. Two to five inches high, white or dingy, thick, glabrous,
nearly equal. Volva grey, large, loose, unequally torn, persistent.

Section. Flesh white, thickish, soft. Stem solid, fibrous. Gills
rosy, broad, pulverulent, unequal, free. Odour slight. Taste acrid.
Spores pink.

Obs. Characterized by its site and large volva. It is rather strongly poison-
ous, acrid, and pei'haps narcotic. — IF. D. H.

Genus COPRINVS.

(XXVII.) COPRINUS FUSCESCENS; The Brown Ink-cap.
(PI. I. fig. 5.)

Habitat. On dead stumps and tree-roots. In tufts.

Season. August to October. Rare.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, brownish-grey, disc tawny,
at first opaque and pulverulent ; ovate, campanulate, then ex-
panded. Margin thin, uneven, split.

Stem. Three inches high, brownish, slender, fragile, curved,
Bub-fibrillose. Ring fragmentary, fugacious.

Section. Flesh membranaceous, fragile. Stem hollow. Gills
umber, black, numerous, linear, entire, free, deliquescent. Odour
slight. Taste insipid. Spores black.

Obs. Paulet has demonstrated this species to be poisonous in a slight
degree. Its effects are irritant. It is the only Coprinus certainly known to
be noxious, though the common Cop. micaceus and others are suspected. —
IF. D. 11.

A CATALOGUE OF BRITISH POISONOUS FUNGI. 175

Genus HYGROPHORUS.

(XXVIII.) HYGROPHORUS MURINACEUS ; The Mouse
Hood.

Habitat. In grassy woods, parks, lawns, and pastures. In small
groups.

Season. September and October. Rare.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, mouse-grey, silky-smooth,
viscid in wet, squamulose at length ; campanulate, then expanded,
irregular, peaked and umbonate, thin. Margin rimose.

Stem. Two to three inches high, grey, slender, twisted, un-
equal, squamulose, viscid, bent, naked.

Section. Flesh white, thin, waxy. Stem fistulose. Gills whitish,
then glaucous, waxy, broad, distant, venate, emarginate, adnate.
Odour nitrous. Taste unpleasant. Spores white.

Ohs. Poisonous according to Duchesne, Morel, and Barla. The principle
is probably narcotico-acrid. No other Hygrophore is certainly known to be
poisonous, though sundry are suspected. — W. D. H.

Genus LACTARIUS.

Ohs. There is some uncertainty as to which Lactars are actually impregnated
with a poisonous essence, and which are merely unpleasant to the palate. The
following are proved to be decidedly poisonous. The character of their poisons
appears to be nearly identical, differing only as to the degree in which it is con-
tained in them. Both the acridity and the poison are removable by salt and
vinegar, and the esculents, saving only the Redmilk and Kidney, should not
be eaten without such preparation as I have elsewhere prescribed for them.
These known poisonous Lactars are even eaten in some countries, after salting,
etc. See chapter ix. — W. D. H.

(XXIX.) LACTARIUS FULIGINOSUS ; The Smoky Lactar.

Habitat. In woods. Solitary.

Season. August to November. Not common.

Pileus. One to three inches across, dusky brown and grey-
pruinose, dry, not zoned, soft, hardly smooth ; convex, then plane,
depressed, round. Margin not involute, undulate.

Stem. One to three inches high, dingy, then dusky, pruinose,
stout, equal, smooth, naked.

Section. Flesh, thick, soft, white, yellowing. Stem solid, spongy.
Milk white, becoming saffron-yellow on exposure. Gills pale buff,
numerous, unequal, sub-furcate, pulverulent, sub-decurrent. Odour
slight. Taste mild, then acrid. Spores yellowish.

Obs. Very poisonous. The principle is exceedingly caustic. — W. D. H.

176 A CATALOGUE OF BRITISH POISONOUS FUNGI.

(XXX.) LACTARIUS PLUMBEUS ; The Leaden Lactar.

Habitat. In woods and wastes. Solitary.

Season. August to November. Uncommon.

Pileus. Two to four inches across, lead-grey or blackish, smooth,
opaque, dry, not zoned ; convex, round, then plane, depressed, sub-
infundibuliform. Margin sub-involute.

Stem. Two to three inches high, dingy, brownish, stout, firm,
equal, naked, blunt.

Section. Flesh thickish, compact, brittle, granulose, white and
unchanging. Stem solid. Milk white, unchanging. Gills yellowish,
crowded, unequal, narrow, sub-decurrent. Odour faintly disagree-
able. Taste acrid. Spores yellowish.

Obs. It is dangerously poisonous, in quality like the preceding. — W. D. H.

(XXXI.) LACTARIUS PYROGALUS ; The Burning Lactar.

Habitat. In woodlands and wastes. Solitary.

Season. August to November. Not uncommon.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, livid grey or ochrey, slightly
zoned, smooth, moist, glabrous ; convex, then plane, at length de-
pressed, even.

Stem. One to two inches high, tint of pileus, pale, slight,
attenuate downwards, smooth or sub-scrobiculate, naked.

Section. Flesh thickish, firm, white. Milk white, unchanging.
Stem stuffed, then hollow. Gills salmonoid, thin, distant, waved,
narrow, sub-decurrent. Odour feebly fruity. Taste mild in youth,
then burning. Spores yellowish- white.

Ohs. A species that is probably harmless while young. At any rate, it is not
acrid then. When mature it is intensely acrid, and contains a decidedly dan-
gerous caustic poison. — W. D. U.

(XXXII.) LACTARIUS RUFUS ; The Slayer.

Habitat. In woods, especially fir and pine woods. Solitary.

Season. August to November. Common locally.

Pileus. Three or four inches across, chestnut-red, tawny,
copper-colour, dry, not zoned, polished ; convex, then expanded,
nmbonate, then depressed, rigid. Margin at first incurved, sub-
striate and sub-villose, at length smooth.

Stem. Two or three inches high, tint of pileus, pale, opaque,
pruinose, browning where bruised, thick, equal, blunt, firm, naked.
Base tomentose.

A CATALOGUE OP BRITISH POISONOUS FUNGI. 177

Section. Flesh, pale reddish buff, firm, slight. Stem stuffed,
then hollow below. Milk white, unchanging. Gills salmon-buff,
crowded, unequal, sub-furcate, adnato-decuiTent. Odour slight.
Taste intensely caustic. Spores buff.

06s. It is incontestably the most dangerous species of tlie genus, and has
been the cause of many fataUties. See chapter ix. Its poison is a terrible
caustic irritant, and a very small portion of one individual is enough to induce
symptoms. No doubt the likeness of several other species to this one has
caused them to be regarded as equally bad ; Lact. torminosus, in particular, has
shared the ill-fame and name of the Slayer. I would recommend fungus-eaters
to carefully avoid this evil mushroom. — W. D. H.

(XXXIII.) LACTARIUS VELLEEEUS ; The Woolly White
Lac tar.

Habitat. In woods. In twos and threes.

Season. August to November. Common.

Pileus. Four to seven inches across, white, thickly and finely
flocculose or tomentose ; convex, then plane, at length infundi-
buliform, firm. Max'gin incurved.

Stem. One to three inches high, white, very stout, firm, blunt,
tomentose, larger above, naked.

Section. Flesh white, thick, compact. Stem solid. Milk
scanty, white, yellowing. Gills pallid, ochrey at length, reddening
where bruised, narrow, distant, venate, furcate, arcuate, decurrent.
Odour slight, repelling. Taste acrid. Spores white.

Ohs. There is no doubt this species is poisonous, though in what degree can-
not be stated. Yet Leveille and Barla both report it edible ; but that means
after due preparation. It is irritant. — W. D. H.

Genus MARASMIUS.

(XXXIV.) MARASMIUS PERONATUS ; The Hairy-foot.
(PL IV. fig. 5.)

Habitat. AmonsT leaves in woods and odd corners. In clusters.

Season. August to October. Pretty common.

Fileus. One to two inches across, clay-yellow, or reddish-tan,
pale and shrivelled in drought or age, minutely silky ; campanu-
late, then convex, expanded, broadly umbonate, even.

Stem. Two to three inches high, tint of pileus, slender, cylin-
drical, silky above, naked. Base enlarged, villose, strigose.

Section. Flesh white, membranaceous. Stem fibrous, hollow

N

178 A CATALOGUE OF BRITISH POISONOUS FUNGI.

below. Gills dull pinkj-buff, thin, narrow, ntimerous, distant,

rounded behind, free. Odour faint. Taste peppery. Spores

white.

Obs. Contains an irritant principle, but in slight degree. It must not be
mistaken for the Oread. — W. D. H.

(XXXV.) MARASMITJS URENS ; The Stinger.

Habitat. Amonfj fallen leaves. In clusters.

Season. August to October. Pretty common.

Pileus. One to three inches across, clay-yellow, or reddish tan,
shrivelled and pale in drought or age, smooth ; convex, then
expanded, plane, even. Margin thin, sub-involute.

Stem. Two to three inches high, tint of pileus, pale, slender,
white-flocculose, cylindrical, naked. Base slightly thickened, sub-
villose.

Section. Flesh white, membranaceous. Stem solid, fibrous.
Gills pale brown, numerous, narrow, firm, distant, remote. Odour
faint. Taste stinging. Spores white.

Ohs. A species very like the preceding, both in appearance and deleterious
quality.— jr. D. H.

Genus PAN US.

(XXXVI.) PANUS STYPTICUS ; The Pill-sprout.

Habitat. On dead tree trunks and stumps. More or less im-
bricated.

Season. October to January. Not common.

Pileus. About one inch across, cinnamon or pale tan, dry,
pruinose, paling in age, perhaps zoned, at length f urf uraceous ;
semi-orbicular or reniform, perhaps lobulate. Margin incurved.

Stem. Half to one inch high, tint of pileus, pale, continuous,
lateral, ascending, dilate above, pruinose or furfuraceous.

Section. Flesh yellowish, tough, not thick. Stem solid. Gills
pale cinnamon, narrow, crowded, serrulate, thin, unequal, venate,
branched, decurrent. Odourless. Taste insipid at first, soon hot
and acrid. Spores white.

Ohi. The principle it contains seems to be merely a strong cathartic, without
other effect, The consequences of eating it are unpleasant rather than harmful
BO it had better be avoided. — W. D. H.

A CATALOGUE OF BEITISH POISONOUS FUNGI. 179

Genus RVSSULA.

Obs. The general facts regarding the poisons of this genus wfll be found in
chapter ix. — W. D. H.

(XXXVII.) RUSSULA EMETICA ; The Sickener.

Habitat. In woods, and under trees on lawns, etc. Scattered.

Season. July to November. Common.

Pileus. Two to five inches across, rosy, then blood-red, per-
haps becoming tawny, ochraceous, or pale ; polished, viscid in
wet, smooth ; convex, then plane, depressed. Cuticle separable.
Margin thin, patent, at length striate.

Stem. Two to three inches high, white, flushed with rose,
thickish, elastic, smooth or sub-rugulose, naked, blunt.

Section. Flesh fragile, not thick, white, rosy where snail-eaten.
Stem solid, spongy. Gills white, equal, broad, distant, brittle,
thickish, simple, veined beneath, fi^ee. Odour slight. Taste pun-
gent. Spores white.

Obs. The poison is very irritant and rapid in action ; it has some after-
tendency to induce nervous disorder as well. Krapf found that it was not
separable either by boiling or drying the mushroom. Yet I have heard of this
species having been eaten, probably after treatment with vinegar. — W. D. H.

(XXXVIII.) RUSSULA FRAGILIS ; The Sickener's Sister.

^abitat. In woods and under trees. Singly.

Season. September to November. Common.

Pileus. One to two inches across, rose-red, perhaps becoming
ochraceous or pallid, opaque, sleek, viscid in wet ; convex, then
plane, depressed, unequal, thin, lax. Cuticle not separable. Mar-
gin striate, tuberculose.

Stem. One to two inches high, white, glossy, not stout, finely
striate, nearly equal, naked, blunt.

Section. Flesh thin, fragile, white. Stem stuffed, then fistu-
lose. Gills white, crowded, thin, equal, ventricose, sub-serrulate,
adnate. Odour faint. Taste pungent. Spores white.

Obs. It appears to be equally as poisonous as E. emetica, and is very like it.
The principle exerts the same action. But Barla says the poison of this species
can be extracted by boiling. — W. D. H.

(XXXIX.) RUSSULA OCHROLEUCA ; The Brazen-face.
Habitat. In damp parts of woods, especially under pine and fir.
Scattered.

ISO A CATALOGUE OF BRITISH POISONOUS FUNGI.

Season. August to November. Common.

Pileus. Two to five inclies across, yellow or yellow-buff, pallid,
smooth, polisbed ; expanded, plane, depressed. Cuticle adnate.
Margin thin, patent, even at length.

Stem. Two to three incbes high, white or pallid, stoutish, firm,
sub-rugulose or reticulate, equal, naked, blunt.

Section. Flesh white, thickish, brittle. Stem solid, spongy.
Gills pallid, broad, equal, connate, rounded behind, free. Odour-
less. Taste acrid. Spores white.

Ohs. It is poisonous, according to Quetelet, Roussel, and others ; its principle
being probably uarcotico-acrid. A species very like it, and commoner, is
E. foctens, which smells repulsively and is also acrid. Its qualities are not
known.— Tr. D. H.

(XL.) EUSSULA EUBRA ; The Destroyer.

Habitat. In shrubberies and thickets of woods. Solitary.

Season. August to November. Not uncommon.

Pileus. Three or four inclies across, dark vermilion, dry
polished, smooth ; convex, then plane, expanding, depressed, even.
Margin patent, blunt, even. Cuticle inseparable on disc.

Stem. Two to three inches high, white, flushed with red below,
enlarged above, stout, hard, rugulose, naked, blunt.

Section. Flesh white, red under cuticle, compact, thick, of
cellular substance. Stem solid. Gills white, crowded, equal,
fragile, the ends furcate, obtusely adnate. Odour slight. Taste
bitter. Spores white.

Ohs. This appears to be the most malignant species of the genus. Its
principle is irritant like the others, but also seems to have a stronger influence
on the nervous system. One or two specimens have been sufficient to kill.
Mentioned in chap. ix. — W. D. 11.

(XLI.) EUSSULA SANGUINEA ; The Sanguine-cap.

Habitat. Damp sites in woods. Solitary.

Season. July to November. Common.

Pileus. Two to three inches aci'oss, blood-red, dark on disc,
smooth, moist, glistening ; rounded, convex, then much depressed
irregularly. Cuticle inseparable. Margin thin, sharp, sub-striate.

Stem. Some two inches high, white, or stained with red, stout,
striate, not smooth, nearly equal, naked, blunt.

Section. Flesh thick, white, cheesy. Stem solid, spongy. Gills

A CATALOGUE OF BRITISH POISONOUS FUNGI. 181

white, numerous, thin, narrow, sub-serrulate, furcate, equal,
pointed at both ends, sub-decurrent. Odour feeble. Taste bitter
and pungent. Spores white.

Obs. It seems to contain an irritant principle, but in slight degree, and
which is separable by boiling, etc. It is reported to be commonly eaten in the
south of France, and I think I have eaten it myself. Yet in maturity it would
be hurtful, if eaten unprepared and to any appreciable extent. — W. D. H.

(XLII.) RUSSULA SARDONIA ; The Malignant.

Habitat. On bare ground in woods. Singly.

Season. August to November. Not uncommon.

Pileus. Two to three inches across, bulf, or buff and red, or
yellowish, tint changing as it develops, smooth, opaque, viscid ;
convex, then plane, depx'essed. Cuticle thin, adnate. Margin
even, smooth.

Stem. One to two inches high, white, perhaps touched with red,
stout, enlarged above, smooth, naked, blunt.

Section. Flesh white, thick, compact. Stem solid, spongy.
Gills white, yellowish at length, numerous, narrow, equal, furcate,
adnate. Odour slight. Taste sparingly acrid. Spores pallid.

Obs. It is said to be poisonous in high degree, probably narcotico-acrid. I
once found a specimen growing conjoined to a Chantarelle — a curious instance,
which shows that care is always needful. There are other Russules to which
poisonous properties have been ascribed, but the above are all I can find that
have been circumstantially proved to be so. — W. D. U.

OR.BEB POLYP OREL

Genus BOLETUS.

(XLIII.) BOLETUS CALOPUS; The Red-shank Bolet.

Habitat. In and about woodlands. Solitary.

Season. August to October. Rare.

Pileus. Two to four inches across, dull olive-brown, opaque, at
first sub-tomentose, then finely rimulose ; at first globular, then
pulvinate, convex, expanded, obtuse.

Stem. Two to three inches high, uniformly scarlet, thick, at
first conical, then sub-equal, reticulate, firm, naked.

Pores. Pale yellow or greenish, minute, angular.

Section. Flesh thick, spongy, yellowish, blueing when exposed.

182 A CATALOGUE OF BRITISH POISONOUS FUNGI.

Stem solid. Tubes small, yellow, adnata. Odourless. Taste
insipid. Spores yellow-brown.

Obs. A species easily distinguished from other yellow-pored Bolets by the
thick scarlet stem. Eeveil reports it poisonous. It contains an irritant principle
in slight degree. — W. D. H.

(XLIV.) BOLETUS ERYTHROPUS ; The Spotty-leg Bolet.

Habitat. In woodlands. Solitaiy.

Season. August to October. Uncommon.

Pileus. Two or three inches across, reddish-tan or tawny-brown,
velvety-torn entose, slightly viscid in wet; convex, then plane,
scarcely pulvinate.

Stem. Two to six inches high, drab, puTictate with red, not
stout or reticulate, sub-granulose above, nearly equal, naked.

Pores. Dark red, round, rather small.

Section. Flesh compact, thick, yellowish, blueing and partly
reddening on exposure. Tubes reddish-yellow, short, free. Stem
solid, red within below. Odour slight. Taste insipid. Spores
brownish.

Ob$. Doubtfully poisonous. If really bo, but in slight degree. It is, how-
ever, generally reckoned to be a poisonous species, by most authorities. It
would probably be irritant. — IV. D. II.

(XLV.) BOLETUS LURIDUS ; The Lurid Bolet.

Habitat. In woodlands, parks, and pastures. Solitary, or
Bcattei'ed.

Season. July to November. Common.

Pileus. Two to six inches across, or more, olive-brown, brick-
red, or tawny, tint brightest in youth, at first sub-tomentose,
then smooth, clammy or viscid ; orbicular, soon pulvinate, convex,
expanded.

Stem. Two to four inches high, yellow or rusty, blotched with
red, stout, unequal, smooth or tomentose, reticulate above. Base
bulbous.

Pores. Red-brown, orange, or vermilion, small, round.

Section. Flesh thick, compact, pallid or yellowish, quickly
blueing. Stem solid, tough. Tubes yellow-green, long, round,
simple, small, free. Odour faintly unpleasant. Taste insipid iu
youth, at length nauseous. Spores brownish-green.

A CATALOGUE OF BRITISH POISONOUS FUNGI. 183

Ohs. This species is most frequently alluded to as (/le poisonous Bolet, others
being probably confounded with it. In maturity it undoubtedly contains the
irritant principle I have termed Boletine, though possibly not strongly. In
youth this poison is apparently undeveloped. The Lurid Bolet is certainly
eaten commonly in some countries, and has been eaten here without ill result.
It seems evident, then, that the poison is easily dissipated, perhaps by simple
boiling. It is certain that all Bolets are innocuous after having been dried.
But fatalities have been traced to this species. It may be possible that the
poison is more strongly developed under circumstances and conditions yet un-
known, or it may be that it acts more powerfully on some constitutions than
on others. Till more facts are gathered together regarding the species, it must
be considered a dangerous one. — W. D. H.

(XL VI.) BOLETUS SATANAS; Beelzebub's Cushion.

Habitat. In woodlands, pai'ks, and commons. Solitary.

Season. August to October. Uncommon.

Pileus. Four to eight inches across, pale buff, whitish, shaded
and marbled with pale pink or green, perhaps quite white ; soft,
smooth, glabrous, dry, slightly viscid in wet ; convex, rounded,
pulvinate, thick.

Stem. Tv?o to four inches high, crimson, or purplish, stout,
swollen, reticulate above, bulbous at base, naked.

Pores. Blood-red or crimson, minute, round.

Section. Flesh thick, compact but soft, juicy, white, on exposure
first reddening, then purpling. Stem solid. Tubes greenish-
yellow, elongate, small, free. Odour agreeable. Taste mild.
Spores red-brown.

Obs. It is apparently the most noxious of the genus. Possibly it has been
sometimes mistaken for B. luridus, which may have caused that species to have
acquired a worse reputation than is really due to it. The principle in B. satanas
is irritant and violent. Yet, despite its name and its glaring hues, it is scarcely
so much to be dreaded as species of other genera already described. See the
mention of Boletine in chapter ix.

.-. I here append a list of the remaining British species of Boletus, such as
have not been mentioned in the catalogue of esculents, or, as yet, in this. It
will be sufiScient to record only some distinguishing characteristics of each,
instead of giving full descriptions. Since the genus affords a considerable
number of capital esculents, and many of these are very abundant, I consider
it desirable to bring them weU into notice. It seemed right, then, to make
mention of species not actually known to be poisonous, as well as the four just
described. These species, which now follow, are suspected by some authorities,
though they have not been examined. Some of them may be noxious, or they
may not. At any rate, they are to be distrusted, and not meddled with by
amateur fungus-eaters.

Boletus felleus. Pileus umber. Pores pinkish. Flesh becoming pink on
exposure. Taste bitter. Spores pink. Common locally.

184 A CATALOGUE OF EKITISH POISONOUS FUNGI.

Boletus laricinus. Small. Weedy habit. Drab tints. Drab pores. Stem
slender and pcrobiculate. Under larches. Bare.

Boletos parasiticus. Entirely golden-yellow. Very small. Parasitic on
Scleroderms.

Boletus piperatus. Small. Cinnamon pileus. Keddish-brown pores. Yellow
flesh. Slender stem. Peppery taste. Common locally.

Boletus purpureus. Pileus, stem, and pores purple-crimson. Eare. (PI. VI.
fig. 1.)

Boletus radicans. Pileus, stem, and pores drab, or stone-colour. Pileus
large. Stem slender and rooting. Uncommon.

Boletus rubinus. Tubes entirely carmine. Flesh vivid yellow, unchanging.
Rare.

Boletus sanguiueus. Very small. Pileus and stem crimson. Tubes orange,
Eare.

Boletus (Strobilomyces) strobilaceus. Pileus blackish-brown, scaly as a fir-cone.
Eare. (PI. VI. fig. 2.)

Boletus variegatus. Pileus tawny-yellow, scaly. Margin flocculose. Stem and
flesh yellow, becoming greenish where wounded. Tubes brown-yellow. In pine
woods. Bare.— ir. D. H.

Genus POLYPORUS.

(XL VII.) POLYPORUS OFFICmALIS ; The Larch-clump.

Habitat. On old larches. Sohtary.

Season. September until April.

Pileus. Up to twelve or sixteen inches diameter, white, zoned
with yellow and brown, smooth, glabrous, dry, polished ; reniform,
flabelliform, or like a horse-shoe, very thick; lateral, sessile, rimose
at base.

Fores. Minute, indistinct, yellowish.

Section. Flesh very thick, soft, tough, white, friable when dry.
Tubes short, minute. Odour mealy. Taste bitter.

Ohs. Not stated to have occurred in Britain. It is found in the Alps and
Dauphin^, and I believe also in North America. It is an old-fashioned,
popular medicine, and was once an official drug with us. It is an active
purgative, and somewhat emetic. It seems to have lately reappeared in American
pharmacy as a remedy for phthisis. The powder of it is still kept by herbalists,
under the title of "Larch Boletus," or " Boletus laricinus." I therefore include
it in this list as a species having some interest attached to it.— If". D. H.

(XLVIII.) POLYPOEUS PERENNIS ; The Brown Stump-flap.
IJahilat. On stunijis, .siei'ile ground, and charcoal heaps. Singly,
or in tufts ; perhaps confluent.

Season. Autumn, and then perennial. Uncommon.

Pileus. Two or three inches across, varying shades of bright

A CATALOGUE OF BRITISH POISONOUS FUNGI. 185

brown, zoned, striate, soft, velvety ; plane, cyathiform, or infiindi-
buliform, tliin, leathery. Margin fimbriate or laciniate. Base
brown, tbick, firm, velvety, tomentose.

Pores. Veiled at first, brown, minnte, torn, angular, decurrent.

Section. Flesh brown, thin, coriaceous. Odour faint. Taste
bitter.

Ohs. I have seen it a good deal in the Lake District. Elsewhere it seems
rare. Quetelet states that it is poisonous ; but the character of the poison is
undetermined. — W. D. H.

(XLIX.) POLYPORUS VERSICOLOR; The Striped Stump-flap.

Habitat. On stumps, trunks, and branches of trees. In single
clumps.

Season. Spring and autumn. Common.

Piletis. Two to twelve inches across, white, buff, or grey, zoned
with various colours, villose, velvety ; thin, rigid, plane, depressed
behind, or resupinate, reflexed, imbricate, dimidiate, etc. Sessile.

Pores. White or pallid, minute, torn.

Section. Flesh thin, coriaceous, whitish, rigid. Tubes short,
small, round, acute. Odour disagreeable. Taste nauseous.

Obs. It has been stated to contain an irritant principle, probably purgative.
Little is known about it. — W. D. H.

ORDER PEALLOIDEL
Genus CLATHRUS.

(L.) CLATHRUS CANCELLATUS; The Cage Fungus.
(PI. XIV. fig. 3.)

Habitat. In woods and wastes. Solitary.

Season. August to October. Rare.

Habit. Unique. At first inclosed in volva, white, globular,
ovate, rooting. Volva breaks at the top, disclosing an oval cage
or lattice of fleshy branches anastomosed together, and of a scarlet
or orange colour. The interstices of the cage-work are rectangular
or lozenge-shaped. The substance is cellular. The cage excretes a
deliquescing, viscid juice, which falls into the open volva and collects
there. Odour most abominable.

06s. The hateful stench of this curious plant has always caused it to be
thought noxious, and there is a French vulgar belief that the touch of it will
produce cancer. Paulet examined it, and proved it to contain a virulently
poisonous principle, of a narcotic Lind. — W. D. 11.

186 A CATALOGUE OF BRITISH POISONOUS FUNGI.

Genus PHALLUS

(LI.) PHALLUS IMPUDICUS ; The Stinkhorn. (PI. XIV. fig. 2.)

Habitat. In woods, among gi-ass, weeds, fern. In dry ditches.
Singly.

Season. August to October. Uncommon.

Fileus. About two inches high, green-grey, conical, hood-
shaped, apex perforate, surrounding top of stem, adherent at
margin, reticulate with polygonal cells which contain a viscid,
greenish exudation.

Stem. Four to eight inches high, whitish, thick, closely and
finely scx'obiculate. Volva cup-like and adnexed at base ; investing
the whole plant in youth.

Section. Substance of pileus gelatinous, inclosed in mem-
branaceous coats. Stem hollow, its substance thin, white, and
firm. Odour abominably foetid.

Obs. Flies are attracted by the stench of this plant, and cats are said to be
also drawn to it. The stink in a room has caused illness. Krombholz asserts
that it contains a poison ; but Cooke states that a friend of bis eats the stem,
and says it makes a relishing dish I The form of the plant has in all ages led
to the belief that it possessed aphrodisiac properties, which is not likely to be
the case, however. There is a kindred species (Cynophallus caninus ; PI. XIV.
fig. 1), though of a different genus, very like the Stinkhorn in shape and smell,
but much smaller, with imperforate red hood. It is as common, according to
my experience, and probably of like quality. — W. D, H,

OBDEB TBICEOGASTBES.

Genus SCLERODERMA.

(LIL) SCLERODERMA VERRUCOSUM ; The Warty
Earth-ball.

Hahitat. On sandy and gravelly soils, in undisturbed places.
In gi'oups.

Season. September to November. Not common.

Habit. Globose, sub-stipitate, rooting, one to three inches
diameter, drab, or brownish. Peridium thick, hard, strong, per-
sistent, covered with numerous prominent warts, thinnest at top.
Stem, when present, thick and lacunose.

Section. Flesh whitey-grey, soon purple-brown or black, even-
tually a brown powder. Odour earthy.

Obi. The powder of the ripe plant is intensely irritating to the eyes or
mncous membrane. It is asserted that the species contains a poisonous principle
in all stages, probably narcotico-acrid, and virulent enough to have sometimes
proved fatal, liut little can be gleaned about it. — W. D. II.

A CATALOGUE OF BRITISH POISONOUS FUNGI. 187

OBBEB TUBE RACE I.

Genus ELAPHOMYCES.

(LIU.) ELAPHOMYCES GRANTJLATUS ; The Lycoperdon
Nut. (PI. LI. fig. 6.)

Habitat. Undergronnd, in pine woods and heaths. In clusters.

Season. February to June. Uncommon.

Habit. Ovate, one to two inches' diameter, globular, rootless.
Peridium tawny, or earth-colour, becoming whitish when dry,
hard, rigid, covered with small angular papillae.

Section. Flesh reddish-white at first, soon brown, becoming
purple-brown powder mingled with white filaments. Odour
slightly aromatic. Taste unpleasant.

Obs. Sold by herbalists under the above English name as an aphrodisiac.
It is questionable whether it possesses that quality, and though it has also been
deemed poisonous, there seems reason to su^^pose it is actually inert. At any
rate, it should not be mistaken for an edible Truffle. — W^ D. H.

CHAPTER XI.

On the Cultivation of Certain Fungi.

Of the many kinds of esculent Fungi, only one species has been
artificially raised to the extent of proving a distinct commercial
success. Others have been cultivated as well, but hardly more
than experimentally or locally. Still, there is no reason to doubt
ihat means may be found for raising crops of various choice kinds,
Avere attention duly bestowed upon them.

The familiar Pratelle, vaguely known in England as " the
common mushroom," is now largely cultivated in various countries
besides our own. Produced under artificial and altered conditions,
the features of the original White Pratelle (A. campestris) are in
some measure modified, and a new variety appears which it may
be expedient to regard as a distinct species under the name of the
Garden Pratelle (A. hortensis). The cultivation of this species is
easy and inexpensive. In and near Paris it is carried out in sub-
terranean excavations, where thei-e are many miles of mushroom
beds in the aggregate. Here, in recent years, the demand has
greatly increased, and the Garden Pratelle is raised in large and
steadily augmenting quantities. It proves exceedingly lucrative
to the growers, who state they can rely on a return of one hundred
to one hundred and fifty per cent, per annum, at least, on capital
invested in mushroom-culture. But this production is far from
having attained its fullest development as yet. Cultivated mush-
rooms ought to be retailed at a much lower price than they are at
present. Moreover, English people still regard mushrooms as but
a mere relish and adjunct to other dishes, and have yet to learn
that they might take the place of a staple article of food, which
their wholesomencss and nutritiousness fit them to be.

The author does not propose to enter into details respecting the
cultivation of the Garden Pratelle on a large scale. The subject
will be found treated of in most modern manuals of gardening,
and numerous treatises have been published which give the fullest

ON THE CULTIVATION OF CERTAIN FUNGI. 189

particulai's.^ It is enough to say here that, for domestic use, there
is no crop that can be raised more simply, easily, and inexpensively.
Any cellar, shed, or outhouse can be utilized for the purpose.
Cottagers, particularly in the neighboui'hood of towns, would find
it very advantageous to grow this Pratelle for home use. At the
expense solely of a little time and trouble, they could secure a
sensible amount of palatable and nourishing food. An outhouse,
ten or twelve feet square, provided with two or three tiers of
shelves, would afford room enough in which to raise crops worth
several shillings a week, the greater part of the year, or which
would save more if allowed to take the place of other articles of
food. Townsfolk can easily provide themselves with a few dishes
weekly by making mushroom-beds in boxes and so forth, bestowed
in cellars or any out-of-the-way corner. This domestic cultivation
may be carried out according to either of the following sets of
instructions. The first is from Paxton's Botanical Dictionary, as
quoted by Dr. Badham : —

" Collect a sufficient quantity of fresh horse-dung, as free from straw as
possible : lay it in an open shed in a heap or ridge ; here it \vill heat violently,
and in consequence should be now and then turned for sweetening ; after this has
subsided to moderation, it will be in a fit state for forming into a bed. In the
process of making the bed, the dung should be put on in small quantities and
beaten firmly and equally together, until it is the required size. In this state
let it remain until the highest degree of heat to which it is capable of coming is
ascertained, which may be readily done by inserting a stick, occasionally with-
drawing it, and feeling the heat of it with the hand. When the heat is not much
greater than that of the hand, a spawn-brick (obtainable from any nurseryman
for 6d. or 9d.) may be broken up into pieces of two or three inches square, and
put into holes about three inches in depth and six inches asunder, over its
surface ; after this throw a very small quantity of well-broken dung over the
whole. In this state let it remain for two or three weeks, when a loamy soil
may be put on, about an inch or an inch and a half thick, and gently patted
with the spade. If the temperature of the house be kept about 60^ or 65^ Fahr.,
mushrooms may be expected in six weeks. It is not well to water the beds
much, particularly when bearing ; it is much better to throw a little water over
the paths and flues, etc."

As regards the spawn, shoiild gardener's spawn-bricks not be
obtainable, it may be got by taking the soil about the roots of
Pratelles growing naturally in. the fields. The debris of old beds
is afterwards generally sufficient wherewith to fertilize new ones.
Mushrooms may also be obtained without artificial fertilization of

^ The following can be recommended : J. Cuthill, On the Cultivation of the
Mushroom. W. Robinson, On Mushroom Culture. W. Earley, How to Qrow
MushmovAS.

190 ON THE CULTIVATION OF CERTAIN FUNGI.

the beds, by so regalating the heat that the spores present in the
horse-dune shall not be destroyed. This is described in the
followino- instructions, which are taken from Mr. Cuthill's book : —

" Addressing myself to the working classes, I advise them, in the first place,
to employ their children or others collecting horse-droppings along the high-
way, and if mixed with a little road-sand, so much the better. They must be
deposited in a heap during summer and trodden firmly. They will heat a
little, but the harder they are pressed, the less they will heat. Overheating
must be guarded against ; if the watch or trial stick inserted into them gets too
hot for the hand to bear, the heat is too great, and will destroy the spawn. In
that case artificial spawn must be used when the bed is made up. Tlie easiest
way for a cottager to save his o^vn spawn would be to do so when he destroys
his old bed. He will find all round the edges or driest parts of the dung one
mass of superior spawn ; let him keep this carefully in a very dry place, and
when he makes up his next bed, it can then be mixed with his summer drop-
pings, and will insure a continuous and excellent crop.

Tliese little collections of horse-di-oppings and road-sand, if kept dry in shed,
hole, or corner, under cover, will in a short time generate plenty of spawn, and
will be ready to spread on the surface of the bed in early autumn, say by the
middle of September, or sooner. The droppings during the winter must be put
into a heap, and allowed to heat gently, say up to 80° or 90°; then they must be
turned over twice daily to let off the heat and steam ; if this is neglected, the
natural spawn in the dung is destroyed. The cottager should provide himself
with a few barrowfuls of strawy dung to form the foundation of his bed, so that
the depth, when all is finished, be not less than a foot. Let the temperature be
up to milk heat. He wiU then, when quite sure that the bed will not overheat,
put on his summer droppings. By this time these will be one mass of natural
spawn, having a grey, mouldy, and thready appearance, and a smell like that
of mushrooms. Let all be pressed very hard ; then let mould, unsifted, be put
on to the thickness of four inches, and trodden down hard with the feet, and
watered all over ; and the back of a spade may now be used to make it still
harder, as well as to plaster the sm-face all over."

These directions should suffice for home cultivation of the
Garden Pratelle, and further information may be had, as already
indicated. Crops are obtainable all through the winter, if the
temperature of the house can be kept above 50° Fahr. During
summer, Pratelles are easily grown in the open air, by placing the
collected droppings, after heating is over, on asparagus beds or
the like, or under thin turf. So far as size and substance is con-
cerned, the Garden Pi-atelle develops well even in dark cellars or
caves. But the plant then loses something of digestibility, is less
nutritious, and poor in flavour. It requires light and air to attain
perfection in these respects. For the natural habitat, it must not
be forgotten, is the open pasture. The author feels bound to add
that the wild Pratelles gathered at the proper stage, are certainly

ON THE CULTIVATION OF CERTAIN FUNGI. 191

better flavoured, and probably more nutritious, than the Garden
Pratelle is at its best.

Some attempts have been made here to introduce the cultivation
of Truffles, but they do not appear to have been successful. We
have two esculent species, which have been described in the
catalogue, and these may be of abundant occurrence, and might be
found plentifully if properly looked for. But the most esteemed
kinds, Tuher cibarium and Tuber melanosporum, the latter being
the famous Perigord Truffle, have not been found in Britain. If
they could be introduced, there is no doubt they might become
a source of large profit. The extent of the trade in Truffles, in
some parts of France and Italy, is very considerable indeed.
Immense quantities are annually consumed or exported. Perhaps
the aggregate amount is as much as that of Pratelles consumed
here. In one small market, that of Apt, there are from 3,000 lbs.
to 4,000 lbs. of Truffles sold weekly during the season. The annual
yield of the Department of Vaucluse alone is stated to exceed
60,000 lbs. of Truffles.

In districts where Truffles are naturally prevalent, a certain
amount of cultivation is resorted to, and has proved successful.
But whether they can be induced to grow in a new country is as
yet uncertain, and no purely artificial mode of raising crops has
been devised. The choice Perigord Truffle is of course the kind it
would be most desirable to cultivate. It prefers a marly, argil-
laceous soil, resting upon chalk and flints. It has a preference for
certain trees, notably oaks of three species — quercus rohur, ilex,
and coccifera ; and some observers think that, in their early stages
of growth. Truffles draw nutriment from the rootlets of these
trees. That there is some connection appears almost certain.
Our Winter Truffle is found beneath oaks, and our Summer
Truffle beneath beeches. Although subterranean. Truffles require
light and air. The shade of the trees must not be too dense, and
the ground must be free from brushwood. Borders of woods and
open glades are the likeliest sites.

Truffle grounds are prepared by choosing suitable localities,
where the soil and timber answer the requirements just mentioned.
The ground is cleared, the trees are thinned, and trenches are
dug. Truffles are now brought from their native site, inclosed in
the earth in which they grew, and are planted in the trenches.
In time they propagate, and it is said that grounds have been
successfully fertilized in this way. Another mode emjoloyed has

192 ox THE CULTIVATION OF CERTAIN FUNGI.

been to sow barren soil of tbe rigbt sort witb acorns. In the
course of years Truffles are found among the roots of the young
trees. But this plan has only been proved to be successful in
places vrhere the Truffles had once, at some previous period, been
indigenous. Other similar experiments have been tried, with
more or less success. Whether or not Truffles have really been
induced to grow where none ever grew before is doubtful, but it is
certain that judicious treatment has done much to augment the
crops yielded by natural Truffle-grounds. Much investigation and
patient experiment are yet needed to make Truffle culture prac-
ticable and satisfactory, in spite of the attention that has been
already devoted to the subject.^

It would be very advantageous if a means could be found for
cultivating the Morel (Morchella esculenta). It is solely a spring
mushroom, and affects certain localities, in which it reappears
most years during May and early June, often in profusion. Both
in flavour and nutritiousness it is superior to the Pratelle. As it
was noticed that Morels Avere most abundant in forest clearings,
particularly where the brushwood had been fired, such places have
been made merely to promote the growth of Morels, and with suc-
cess. In Germany, the sale of Morels is so profitable that special
enactments are enforced, to prevent the peasantry from burning
the woods down right and left, in order to insure crops. A French
gentleman, M. Geflin, is said to have been successful in raising
Morels. He prepares a bed exactly as if for Pratelles, and he
sows this with Morels chopped up into pieces. Darkness and
moisture are essential to the plant, and must be secured to it.
Plentiful watering is necessary, but the bottom of the bed must
be so arranged as to provide free drainage. By this means con-
tinuous crops are secured from April to the middle of July, and
M. Geflin is stated to have succeeded in reaping rich harvests. If
this expedient is reliable, it should be widely carried out. The
Morel is a most desirable mushroom, and ranks only second to the
Truffle in the opinion of epicures. It may be added that Helvels
grow under much the same condition as Morels, and might most
likely be i-aised in a similar way. They are of excellent quality,
though less esteemed than the other.

' See, on this head, Broome, On Truffle Culture, in " Jl. Hort. Soc," i., p. 15,
18G6; Cordier, Les Clunnpi/inons, clinp. xiii., 1876 ; Eavel, Culture dc la Truffe,
1857 ; Do Borch, Sar lea TrvJJ'cs du Fiemont, 1780 ; Vittadiui, Monogra^hla
Tuberacearum, 1831.

ON THE CULTIVATION OF CERTAIN FUNGI. 193

The Dainty Bolet (Boletus edulis) is so desirable a species that it
IS not surprising to find that various people have endeavoured to
cultivate it. The method adopted has been to choose a suitable
site, similar to the natural habitat, and to water it freely with an
infusion of the Bolets. But the plan has been very partially
successful. A suggestion is offered that affords more likelihood of
success. Let the earth and mycelium about the base of the Bolets
be dug up and transported to the desired site, and then let this
transplanted spawn be watered with infusions of the plant. There
will be then more probability of a crop being reaped next year.
Similar experiments have been tried in France with regard to that
delicious species, the Verdette {Russula virescens) , Sin(\. apparently
with more success than in the case of the Bolet. The author's
present opinion is that the fecundity of spores depends on the
presence also of the mycelium, and vice-versa, at least in some
species, though possibly not in all. He has always failed in trying
to raise Bolets, using an infusion — that is to say the spores — alone.
It has often been suggested that the Oread (Marasmius oreades)
would be a good species to cultivate. Certainly it possesses a very
strong and agreeable flavour, but on the other hand it can yield
little nutriment. The author has seen it accidentally transferred
from place to place, when soil was carried, and turf taken from
one field to another. Transplantation, indeed, appears practicable
in the case of many species. It is necessary that the whole plant
should be taken, with a quantity of the earth through which the
mycelium ramifies, and the new site must afford every suitability.
It would be well worth trying to propagate the St. George (A.
gamhosits) in this or other ways. It is a mushroom only appear-
ing in mild springs, and consequently is uncommon, though very
abundant where it does occur. It is, moreover, both substantial
and richly flavoured.

The Giant Puffball (Lycoperdon giganteum) may be in so far
cultivated that, if its site be kept carefully undisturbed, it will
recur there annually. Moreover, it may sometimes be induced to
appear in a new spot, by depositing there a ripe Puffball, and
leaving it to decay undisturbed till next year. The author has
found that sundry species may be grown in this way on selected
sites, but unfortunately, except in regard to the Puffball — and
that is uncertain — none of those it is most desirable to cultivate.
Several of the Pezizas can readily be raised in gardens or con-
servatories, simply by depositing or burying the whole plant, and

0

194 ON THE CULTIVATION OF CEETAIN FUNGI.

leaving it undisturbed, but well watered, till its season recurs,
when a crop generally appears. But they are hardly worth the
trouble as esculents. Some success, but unhappily not very well
assured, has attended endeavours made by the author to multiply
the Oak-tongue (FistuUna hepatica). By grafting pieces of it in
decaying clefts of other oak-trees, he boped to insure a new
growth. In one case this really seemed successful, but in others
it has failed. Various experiments made with the Chantarelle,
the Urchin, and the Orange Bolet, have not, up to the present,
given any results.

Some species of Fungi have migrated from afar, and become
naturalized in new countries. An instance of this is the Onion-
stem (A. cepopstipes) . This is a Brazilian fungus, accidentally
imported into this country in some package of plants. It has now
become quite at home here, and has even passed over to the
Continent. The fact gives ground to hope that certain useful
exotic species may some day be naturalized here. The Perigord
Truffle is one such, and another is the famous Oronge (A. ccesareus),
which indeed is reported, though not on sure authority, to bave
already appeared here. It is a mushroom highly prized by Conti-
nental gourmets to-day, just as it was by Roman epicures twenty
centuries ago.

Then there is the ^gerita, which was one of several species
cultivated for the table in the time of Dioscorides. It is thought
to be identical with one of the Pholiotes (A. cylindraceus) , which
is now grown in the south of France. In spring-time transverse
sections are taken from stumps of black poplar. These are rubbed
all over with the flesh of the mushroom, and are then loosely
buried in some damp, dark place. During the succeeding summer
and autumn they produce plentiful crops. The ancients used to
drench the standing stumps with hot wine and water to induce the
growth of the mushroom ; or they strewed a prepared bed with
the bai'k.

In the vicinity of Naples is found a substance called Pietra
fungaja, or Fungus-stone. It consists of volcanic tufa, concreted
together by mycelium. On being placed in a warm place, and
well watered, this " stone " produces crops of a dainty esculent
mushroom, the Italian Stone-tuft (Polyporus tuheraster) . Fungus-
stone has been brought to England, and is productive in hot-houses.
But to induce the spread of the mycelium, and consequently the
real cultivation of this species, is evidently impossible without the

ON THE CULTIVATION OF CERTAIN FUNGI. 195

special nidus. Probably it would not be found in Great Britain.
But in connection with tbis a whimsical idea one day struck the
author, that possibly some good useful fungus of a similar kind
may exist, which could be induced to fertilize those immense
mounds of slag and cinder seen near collieries, ironworks, and so
forth ; and which in some places cover many acres of ground with
black and sterile oppression ! Comical as the notion may seem at
first sight, it is not altogether ridiculous. For this Italian Stone-
tuft shows us that Nature has provided plants which can feed
upon igneous mineral matter, and so transform it into fertile soil.

The Neapolitans cultivate a small fungus (A. catinus), which
grows upon coffee-grounds. The coffee-grounds are simply be-
stowed in a warm corner, and kept undisturbed and constantly
damp for six or eight months, when they begin to afford crops.
The mushroom is said to be extremely dainty. Dr. Badham
mentions another species which appears on tea-leaves sim^ilarly
treated, but there is no evidence as to whether it is edible or not.

In the Campagna of Rome, a small Polypore (P. corylinus)
appears on charred stumps and logs of hazel and cob-nut. These
stumps are brought to market. They are well singed, and then
put into a warm place, left undisturbed, and watered freely. In a
few weeks they become covered with mushrooms, and these are
said to be of first-class quality. There is little doubt that if some
of these stumps were brought to England, and so treated, that
they would bear. And it is not improbable that the spores would
disseminate themselves, and in course of time render our own
hazels and cob-nut trees similarly fruitful.

If any readers have become interested in these subjects, and if
they happen to be persons blessed with the inestimable treasure of
much leisure-time — not filled up and occupied, every minute of it,
by the unceasing drudgery of working and scheming to provide
for themselves and families — then they may be here reminded that
it is they who are privileged, they who have the opportunity, to
carry out protracted experiment and prolonged research, so as to
decipher pages in the book of nature as yet unread, and render the
gifts of nature more available to man. Here is an occupation
offered, one that may yield results which will benefit the many —
to experiment on the culture of sundry eatable Fungi ; not to
mention those other studies and investigations previously adverted
to in this work ! It has been said that he is the truest benefactor
of his race who can make two grains of wheat grow where only

196 ON THE CULTIVATION OF CERTAIN FUNQI.

one grew before. Surely, then, lie is not to be despised who can
render available a new food of the highest nutritive quality, or
increase the crops of it, even if that food be found in " fruits of
the earth," which blasphemers of nature, ignorant and prejudiced,
have hitherto only neglected, ridiculed, and aspersed !

CHAPTER XII.

A Calendar of the Common Esculent Fungi.

In both cafcalogties the season of each species is noted. These
seasons have been assigned after a careful compai-ison of many
notes, and they seem to be the normal periods of the year during
which the several species appear. Bnt the author wishes it to be
understood that the seasons he has tabulated are scarcely more
than approximate, for suflBcient attention has not been generally
bestowed by mycological observers to this point. Some species —
such as the Morel,, for example — are never found out of certain
months. Others again are very variable, and isolated specimens
may show at almost any period, depending on the weather, the
local climate, or on some peculiarity of site, although the times at
which they are generally prevalent are the seasons indicated.
The calendar that follows simply refers to those of the esculent
Fungi which have been placed in chapter vii., as kinds which
may be safely recommended for popular use. It is merely intended
as a rough guide to the fungus-hunter, to advise him as to what
eatable species he may look for in each month. Reference must
be made to the catalogues for more extended information.

MARCH. Some Elfcups ;. Morels ; The Oyster.

APRIL. Some Elfcups ; Helvels ; Morels ; The Mousseron ; The
Muscat ; The Oyster.

MAY. Elfcups ; Helvels ; Morels ; The Mousseron ; The Mus-
cat ; The Oyster ; Parasols ; The St. George ; The Summer Bolet.

JUNE. The Blusher; The Grisette ; Elfcups; Inkcaps ; The
Kidney ; Morels ; The Mousseron ; The Oaktongue ; Parasols ;
Puffballs ; The St. George ; The Spindleshank ; The Summer
Bolet ; The Paxil ; The White Pratelle.

JULY. The Bisotte; The Blusher; Bolets ; The Chantarelle ;
Clavarias ; Elfcups ; The Grisette ; Inkcaps ; The Kidney ; The
Oaktongue ; The Orcelle ; The Oread ; Parasols ; The Paxil ; Pra-

197

198 A CALENDAn OF THE COMMON ESCULENT FUNGI.

telles ; Puffballs ; The Redniilk ; The Spindleshank ; The Stump-
tuft ; The Verdette ; The Virgin ; The Wood Blewit.

AUGUST. The Bisotte; The Blusher; Bolets; The Chanta-
relle ; Clavarias ; Elfcups ; The Grisette ; Inkcaps ; The Kidney ;
The Oak- tongue ; The Orcelle ; The Oread ; Parasols ; Pratelles ;
Puffballs; The Paxil; The Redmilk : The Spindleshank; The
Stumptuft; Urchins; The Verdette; The Virgin; The Wood
Blewit.

SEPTEMBER. The Bisotte ; The Blewit ; The Blusher ; Bolets ;
The Chantarelle ; Clavarias ; Elfcups ; The Grisette ; Inkcaps ;
The Ivorine ; Helvels ; The Kidney ; The Oaktongue ; The
Orcelle; The Oread; The Oyster; Parasols; The Paxil; Pratelles;
Puffballs ; The Snowdrop ; The Spindleshank ; The Stumptuft ;
The Redmilk ; Urchins ; The Verdette ; The Wood Blewit ; The
Virgin.

OCTOBER. The Bisotte; The Blewit; The Blusher; Bolets
The Chantarelle ; Clavarias ; Elfcups ; The Grisette ; Helvels
Inkcaps ; The Ivorine ; The Oaktongue ; The Orcelle ; The Oread
Parasols; The Paxil; Pratelles; Puffballs; The Redmilk; The
Snowdrop; The Spindleshank ; The Stumptuft; Urchins; The
Verdette ; The Virgin ; The Wood Blewit.

NOVEMBER. The Blewit; Bolets; Clavarias; Elfcups; The
Grisette ; Helvels ; Inkcaps ; The Ivorine ; The Oaktongue ; The
Oyster ; The Paxil ; The Redmilk ; The Stumptuft ; Urchins.

DECEMBER. The Oyster ; Elfcups.

.•. In the above list the plural is used to denote the occurrence
of more than one species having the same generic name, as the
various Bolets, Elfcups, etc.

In January and February the Oyster may still sometimes be
found, together with its kindred, and some of the edible Polypores,
Tremelles, or Elfcups. They are very sparingly seen, however.

APPENDIX.

APPENDIX A.

On the Preparation of Fungi for the Table,

The importance of discrimination lias been strongly insisted on ;
and it must be applied in the kitchen as well as in the field. We
must get rid of the notion that esculent mushrooms are all one
kind of thing, and must look upon each species, or each little
group of kindred species, as entirely distinct one from another,
and probably needing quite different treatment to prepare for the
table. Certain species, such as the various kinds of Pratelle, or the
various kinds of Parasol, or of Clavarias, may be lumped together
without disadvantage perhaps. But as a general thing it is better
to gather one species at a time, to prepare and cook one at a
time, and to eat one at a time.

There are several rules which it is advisable not to forget.
First, no new species should be ventured on unless it has been
surely and satisfactorily identified, and unless it be one of those
which, are here recommended. And all the individuals in a basket
should be looked over before they are put into the cook's hands,
to make sure that there is no " suspect " among them. Second,
no kind of fungus is good when putrescence or decay has com-
menced in it. It is true that some appear to be harmless even
when far gone. One often sees the common Pratelles exposed for
sale when they are half -rotten, and some people appear to think
these black-gilled, putrifying specimens the most tasty. But some
other kinds become quite noxious as soon as the chemical changes
of decomposition begin, and of these the Blewit is a striking
example. Therefore it should be regarded as a rule that any
mushroom, of whatever kind, is to be rejected if at all "gone,"
or decomposed in the slightest degree.

It may be advanced as a pretty sure fact that the greater num-
ber of the " poisonings by mushrooms " we hear of every autumn,
are due simply to the consumption of half-rotten individuals,
which were very likely quite wholesome when fresh. If people

201

202 ON THE PREPARATION OF FUNGI FOR THE TABLE.

eat of rotten fruit or tainted meat they are not surprised if they
are taken ill in consequence. Yet they will eat putrifying mush-
rooms, and, when the same consequence ensues, both they and
their doctors (in England) will assume that a poisonous principle
inherent in the mushroom was to blame ; and henceforth they will
nurture the strongest prejudice against all Fungi, fresh or rotten.
Surely this is not very sensible.

It is further to be noted that no kind of mushroom is good when
it is full of the larvse of insects— maggoty, in point of fact.
Natural repugnance would generally suffice to prevent such indi-
viduals being eaten ; but some people are not particular. Mush-
rooms full of maggots are usually in the first stages of decay, and
hence are more or less nnwholesome. Unsound specimens are
always to be rejected. Relative age, too, must be taken into
account. Species of firm flesh are often too tough when old, and
only young individuals may be selected. This is especially the
case with tree-Fungi.

On the Continent many of the edible Fungi are eaten raw,
either simply with bread and salt, or dressed as salad. Probably
our palates will only be satisfied with a few species this way ; the
Puffballs and the Oaktongue, for example. A French author has
gone so far as to assert that eating mushrooms raw is the only way
to avoid accidents, and that cooking is responsible for poisonings.
He founds his advice upon the assumption that poisonous plants
taste unpleasantly, and would hence be rejected in the raw state,
wliile cookery might disguise their unpalatableness. But the theory
is wholly adverse to facts, and is therefore inadmissible. Several
very poisonous kinds are quite bland and pleasant to the taste ;
numerous thoroughly wholesome sorts are forbidding in flavour
until properly dressed. And lastly, in many kinds actually
possessing deleterious essences, these are more or less dissipated
by culinary processes. The author is an advocate for careful and
suitable cookery, and there are only a few species that he recom-
mends for consumption au naturel.

It is a certain fact, that various kinds of Fungi in whose tissues
there exists some essence deleterious to the human economy are
yet commonly eaten by the people in foreign localities. Probably
it is this fact which has given rise to a popular but erroneous
notion that the identical species of fungus might be poisonous
when it gi-ew in one place, but not so when it grew in another.
Upon careful investigation, however, it turns out that the mush-

ON THE PREPARATION OF FUNGI FOR THE TABLE. 203

rooms possess the same qualities wlierever they grow, as is the
case with other plants. The reason why poisonous kinds can be
eaten with impunity is simply because they are submitted to some
simple process which destroys or removes the noxious essence,
leaving the nutritious tissues perfectly harmless and good to eat.
This is undoubtedly a very valuable discovery, since it increases
the supply of available food. It has been elsewhere discussed in
connection with the chemistry and toxicology of Fungi. But even
the application of such processes will not allow Discrimination to
be altogether set aside. The methods employed to render one set of
poisonous species innocuous prove abortive when applied to another
series of noxious individuals. Boiling is sufficient in one case,
but not so in another. Salt is required for one, vinegar for a
second, desiccation for a third. Even in this respect we see how
entirely wrong it is to regard Fungi from a general point of view.
The only sui*e system is to appreciate each several species as some-
thing quite apart from its congeners.

Having selected our Mushrooms, of one kind or another, and
in accordance with the advice already given, the first thing to be
done is obviously to remove all adherent dirt, with the fingers and
a brush. If they be in a fair and clean condition it may not be
necessary to wash them, though it is better always to do so.
Fragile and watery sorts, like Inkcaps, are best not washed, if
they can be gathered clean enough. Washing consists in merely
rinsing the Mushrooms in cold water, and then lightly pressing
each one dry in a soft cloth.

Modes of preparation will now differ, according to the kind of
mushroom and to the way it is to be dressed. In the succeed-
ing chapter of recipes will be found directions in each case, both
for preliminary preparation and dressing. In the majority of cases
mushrooms should be scalded. When they are taken out of the
cold water in which they have been rinsed, they are at once to be
plunged into boUing water, but not left in it more than two or
three seconds, then to be immediately dried with a soft cloth. A
few need a second rinsing in cold water, after having been scalded.
These processes are for the purpose of ensui-ing a thorough cleans-
ing of the mushrooms, and the removal of any exti-aneous flavour.
Scalding has a curious result, in making the cooking which is to
follow more effective. It is essential for some kinds, but is
better dispensed with for others, as will be indicated in the proper
places.

204 ON THE PEEPARATION OF FUNGI FOR THE TABLE.

"Where the stems of mushrooms are of the same substance
as the caps, or where they are of a light and fleshy texture, only
the butt end need be pared away. But when at all tough, or
different in substance to the cap, then the whole stem must be re-
jected. In many cases it is well to scoop out the gills of Agarics
and to reject them. The tubes of Bolets must always be cleanly
removed with a spoon, as they spoil the flavour, except in very
young specimens. As a rule, it is better not to peel the cap, this
especially with regard to Pratelles. But where the peel is tough
or thick, then it is obvious it should be taken off. It will depend
on the mode of dressing whether the mushroom is sliced, minced,
or cooked whole ; but when there are big and small together,
the larger should be cut into pieces the size of the smallest. The
time required for cooking will be long or short, depending not
only on the kind of mushroom, but also on the particular receipt
employed. The ordinary rules as to this will be specified, but
much must be left to the cook's own judgment.

Since we have, in most large towns, Schools of Cookery edu-
cating the kitchen mind, amateur and professional, the assertion
ought to be comprehended that there are as many ways of cooking
mushrooms as of dressing eggs or potatoes — that is to say, legion!
The one hundred and more receipts given here may be made the
basis for many others. It should be well understood that, although
many species may be cooked in a similar fashion, others again
require a wholly different treatment. One cannot cook the Chan-
tarelle like the Pratelle, for example. Again, there are special
dishes which can only be properly prepared from some one parti-
cular species. Distinction must never be forgotten if we wish to
really know mushrooms in their best aspects. People have often
made trial of esculents new to them, and have been disappointed
simply because they did not practise proper culinary method.

Nicety in cooking does not invariably imply expense. Most of
the annexed receipts should be within the means of the humblest
cottage. A few, more luxurious, are suited for well-to-do people,
who will find that the daintier sorts of mushrooms'are well worthy
of the most elaborate ctmine. It may be added, too, that the two
or three ways in which common Pratelles are usually cooked in
England are simply barbarous. They are apparently designed to
rob the mushrooms of all flavour, and render them as indigestible
as possible. It is not expensive materials that are wanted, but
only a little care, and the employment of suitable methods.

ON THE PREPAEATION OF FUNGI FOR THE TABLE. 205

Most kinds of mushrooms can be very readily preserved for
use at a future time, and several receipts are given with that in-
tention. Some make excellent pickles. Dry-fleshed species can
usually be dried. These preserve their aroma vpell, can be used
in powder for flavouring, or can be revived and made into dishes ;
the more juicy and succulent sorts can be preserved in brine or
dry salt, like meat. Preserved in these several ways, many sorts
are regular articles of commerce on the Continent. Some kinds
are suitable for preserving in oil, or in brandy, etc. The best
species for ketchup are all the Pratelles, all the Parasols, Blewits,
and Blushers. Oreads improve the flavour of ketchup, though
they cannot yield it themselves. The juice of the Oaktongue
makes a splendid substitute for beef gravy, and will keep well, like
ketchup.

In a culinary sense, as well as in regard to their nutritive
quality, mushrooms should be considered equivalent to flesh-meat,
rather than as vegetables.

APPENDIX B.

Culinary Receipts.

Ix the last chapter it was shown that the proper handling of mush-
rooms in the kitchen involved, first, a preliminary process, and
then the actual dressing. The preliminary process varies a little
in different cases. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the
sundry methods of preparing mushrooms in the first place will be
set down once and for all ; and each receipt will commence by re-
ferring to whichever of them is proper to be adopted, prior to
following out the mode of dressing set forth in it. In every case
the mushrooms must first of all be picked as clean as possible by
hand, adherent dirt or twigs, etc., bi'ushed off, and the stems, or
the butts of them, removed, together with such other parts as it is
necessary to reject. Then comes the washing or preliminary pro-
cess, as directed in each case, and then the rest of the operation
indicated in the receipt which is being employed. ^
No. 1. — To Prepare Mushrooms.

(A.) After cleansing and paring off what is to be re-
jected, rinse the mushrooms well in cold water, take them
out and wipe them carefully dry with a soft cloth.

(B.) After cleansing, etc., rinse in cold water, then scald
by throwing the mushrooms into a pan of boiling water.
Do not let them remain in the hot water more than a few
seconds, but immediately take them out and carefully dry
them with a soft cloth.

(C.) As the last, but after scalding, rinse the mushrooms

again in cold water, and then dry them with a soft cloth.

No. 2. — To Grill Mushrooms. Take large ones. Remove the

stems, but not the peel or gills. As in No. 1 B. Then powder

slightly with flour. Put a little butter, popper, and salt on the

' The receipts here given are lieaded only with the names of mushrooms
inchidod in chapter vii. But in the Index will be found a reference number
assigned to every esculent species, which will suOice to indicate according to
what system that species should be prepared and diessed.

206

CULINAET RECEIPTS. 207

gills. Lay top downwards on a gridiron over a moderate fire.
Five or six minutes at the most.

No. 3. — Pratelles with Herhs. Remove butts of stems and peel.
As in No. 1 B. Then slice into a pie-dish. Mingle with them
butter or oil, also chopped parsley and scallion, pepper and salt,
and some bread crambs. Cover the dish with a plate. Put into
a warm oven for about fifteen minutes. Serve in the dish.

No. 4. — Pratelles a la Boiirgeoise. Take half a pound. Remove
butts and peel. As in No. 1 B. Then cut into equal-sized pieces.
Put into a pie-dish with two ounces of butter, two table-spoonfuls
of olive oil, salt and pepper. Set before the fire for two minutes.
Then cover with a plate, and put into a hot oven for ten to fifteen
minutes. Serve at once, sprinkling chopped parsley over the
mushrooms, and garnishing with slices of lemon.

No. 5. — Pratelles k Soyer. Remove the butts. As in No. 1 B.
Then divide large ones. Line a pie-dish with toast. Place the
mushrooms on it, sprinkling with pepper and salt, and one clove.
Pour over them some spoonfuls of thick cream. Cover with a
plate, and with a wet cloth. Put in a warm oven for fifteen
minutes. Serve without removing the cover to let the rich odour
escape.

No. 6. — Mushroom Fricassee. Take " buttons " only. Pare the
butts slightly. As in No. 1 A. Melt butter in a stewpan. When
it is hot, put the buttons into it, stirring well for some minutes.
Then add a little broth, pepper and salt, a bunch of parsley, and
a suspicion of allspice. Stew for twenty minutes, adding a little
more broth when requisite. Beat up the yolks of two eggs with a
wine-glassful of cream, and a spoonful of lemon juice. Take the
pan off the fire, remove the parsley, add the eggs and cream, pour
out over toast, and serve at once.

No. 7. — Pratelle Fricassee. Take full-grown mushrooms, but
not too old. Remove the stems, peel, and gills. As in No. 1 B.
Then slice into small square pieces, and proceed as in No. 6, adding
curry-powder or not. Serve with boiled rice round the dish.

No. 8. — Pratelles aux Croutes. Remove the stems. As in No. 1.
B. Cut into large dice. Put into a stewpan, in which butter and
flour are already heated. Season with pepper, salt, and nutmeg.
Add a bunch of sweet herbs and scallions, and a little broth.
Simmer for half an hour. Take off and remove the herbs. Add
egg-yolks beaten up with cream and lemon-juice. Pour over
slices of bread that have been buttered and fried. Serve.

208 CULINARY EECEIPTS.

No. 9. — Musliroom Fritters. Take large ones. Remove the
stems and peel. As in No. 1 B. Then powder all over with salt.
In five minutes wipe off the salt and dust with flour. Throw the
floured mushrooms into boiling batter. When they have taken
a good crust, take them out, drain them, and serve on a napkin,
garnishing with fried parsley.

No. 10. — Mushroom Croquettes. Take eight large ones. Re-
move stems and peel. As in No. 1 B. Then cut into dice. Fry
in melted butter for three minutes. Then add two or three wine-
glassfuls of cream sauce (bechamel). Add the yolks of three
hard-boiled eggs, minced, also salt and nutmeg. Add two table-
spoonfuls of grated cheese (Parmesan). Stew for eight minutes,
stirring assiduously. Then take off the pan, add egg-yolk to bind,
and turn out on a dish. When set, divide into rolls, and cover
with paste, etc., as for ordinary croquettes.

No. 11. — Pratelles a la Provengale. Remove butts only. As in
No. 1 B. Then steep in olive-oil for two hours. Heat plenty of
oil in a frying-pan. Take the mushrooms out of the cold oil,
drain, and throw into the hot pan. Sprinkle them with salt,
pepper, nutmeg, minced parsley and onion. Eight minutes over
a brisk fire, tlien serve on fried bread.

No. 12. — Ragout of Pratelles. Remove butts only. As in
No. 1 B. Then put into a stewpan, with salt and pepper, butter
and flour, minced parsley and onion, and a little broth. There may
be added some rich gravy, and white wine. Stew very gently for
an hour. Add some good brown sauce, and serve.

No. 13.— Puree aux Pratelles, Remove the butts only. As in
No. 1 A. Then boil the mushrooms in water until they begin to
break up. Take out and drain. Mash up, pressing out the water
in a napkin. Pat the mash into a stewpan, with a little butter
and lemon-juice. Heat. Next add a few spoonfuls of broth, and
the same quantity of white-meat jelly (coulis), also salt and
pepper, and other seasoning to taste. Stew down to a proper
consistence, and serve.

No. 14. — Mushroom Pie. Remove stems and peel. As in No. 1
B. Take a pic-dish, and cover the bottom with butter. Lay on
this half an inch of bread-crumb, and on that a layer of mush-
rooms, sprinkled with salt, pepper, minced parsley and onion.
Then put another layer of butter, next an inch depth of bread-
crumb, and mushrooms again. Pi-eserve this order until the dish
is full. Finish with a thick top of bread-crumb, or of potato, or

CULINARY RECEIPTS. 209

of pie-crust. Cover with a plate, and bake for an hour. Serve in
the dish.

No. 15. — Idnsliroom Ep*?. Take lar.Te iuicv mushrooms. Re.
move butts only. As in No. 1 A. Then mince, and heat very
gently with a spoonful of gravy or milk, pepper and salt, parsley
and onion, until the juice has run out of the mushrooms. Then
strain oif all the liquor, and to every pint of it add the yolks of
fiv^e eggs and the whites of three. Beat well together, and heat
quickly, stining. Pour out over toast and serve.

No. 16. — Pratelle Dumplings. Take young ones. Remove
only the butts. As in No. 1 B. Then cut into dice, with an
equal quantity of bacon fat. Add salt, pepper, and onion, or garlic.
Inclose in paste, as dumplings, wrap in cloths, and boil half an
hour. Serve.

4j:*^ Garlic is a great improvement, in spite of the preju-
dice against it in English kitchens. But it must be used
with great delicacy, and in homoeopathic quantities. It
brings out mushroom flavours wonderfully.

No. 17. — To Fry Pratelles. Remove the stems, but not the peel.
As in No. 1 B. Then cut large ones into two or three pieces, and
flour them. Heat butter, oil, lard, or dripping in a frying-pan.
When boiling, put the mushrooms in, sprinkling them with salt,
pepper, and with minced sweet-herbs and onion if desired. Fry
for five or six minutes, and serve hot. Should not be overdone.

No. 18. — Mushrooms in Made Dishes. Remove the stems. As
in No. 1 B. Then grill plainly to add to the dish on serving, or
cook along with the meat. Various kinds of mushrooms, besides
Pratelles, are admirable additions to sundry meat hashes, stews,
pies, puddings, salmis, vols-au-vent, ragouts, fricassees, and soups.

No. 19. — Pratelles a la Matelote. Remove the stems only. As in
No. 1 B. Then divide large ones. Heat butter in a pan. When
it boils, put in the mushrooms. Fry for four minutes. Take out
and put into another pan, in which matelote sauce is simmering.
Stew ten minutes, and serve. Or, a little anchovy sauce may
be added to Pratelles fried as in No. 17, and the dish called by
this title.

No. 20. — Pratelles a la Creme. Remove stems and peel from
ten large mushrooms. As in No. 1 B. Put entire into a stewpan,
with salt, pepper, minced parsley and scallions, and two large
wineglassfuls of fresh cream. Stew gently half an hour. Take
out the mushrooms and drain them. Set them on a hot plate.

P

210 CULINARY RECEIPTS.

Beat up the yolks of three eggs with one ounce of butter, a little
nutmeg, and chopped sweet herbs. Add this to the liquor in the
pan, heating gently and stirring. As soon as it begins to thicken,
pour it over the mushrooms on the plate, and serve whilst hot.

No. 21.— Pratelles a la Languedocienne. Remove butts and
peel from large mushrooms. As in No. 1 B. Then put into a
stewpan, gills uppermost. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, minced
parsley and scallion. Pour two or three spoonfuls of oil on them,
and stew gently, adding more oil if requisite. Do not turn or stir
them. In fifteen minutes take out and serve.

No. 22.— Pratelles a la Marquise. Take "buttons," or young
White Pratelles. Remove the butts only. As in No. 1 B. Then
divide each down the middle, and rub with a piece of garlic. Put
into a stewpan with plenty of butter, and heat briskly. In three
minutes add pepper, salt, nutmeg, and a spoonful of lemon-juice.
Then add a wineglassful of the richest brown gravy. After two
minutes add two glasses of Sauterne. Simmer for ten minutes.
Pour out on fried buttered bread, and serve.

No. 23. — Pratelles k la Lomharde. Remove stems and gills from
six large nmshrooms. As in No. 1 B. Then cut across into thin
slices. Dip in egg and flour. Melt three ounces of butter in a
frying-pan. Put in the slices. Set over a moderate fire, and turn
the slices as they brown. In three or four minutes sprinkle with
salt, and with parsley that has been rubbed with garlic and minced.
When nicely browned, take oS and serve hot, garnishing with
pieces of lemon.

No. 24. — Pratelles k la Maintenon. Take large, firm, dry mush-
rooms. Remove only the butts of the stems, and the gills. As in
No. 1 B. Then make forcemeat with bacon fat, bread crumb,
parsley and onion, salt, pepper, and allspice. Pack this where the
gills were round the stem. Wrap each in oiled paper, and broil,
basliiig with oil as necessary. In ten minutes serve in the papers.
No. 25. — Pratelles k ritalienne. Remove stems and peel from
three pounds of large mushrooms. As in No. 1 B. Then cut in
slices. Put into a stewpan a quarter pound of butter, two table-
spoonfuls of olive oil, two anchovies rubbed into paste with garlic,
and heat. When hot, put in the mushrooms, adding salt, pepper,
the juice of ono lemon, and a wineglassful of good brown gravy.
Stew gently for fifteen minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon.
Then add a pinch of minced parsley, and a leaf of mint bruised ;
and serve, garnishing with sippets of toast.

CULINARY RECEIPTS. 211

No. 26. — Pratelles h I'An^laise. Remove stems and peel from
six large ones. As in No. 1 A. Then pnnctnre each all over with a
fork, and put them in a bowl, sprinkling salt, pepper, lemon-juice,
and minced sweet herbs over them. Cover all with olive-oil and
allow to remain for an hour. Then take out and cover with bread-
crumb. Grill over a slow fire twenty minutes. Serve them
immersed in sauce d la maitre d'hotel.

No. 27. — To Dry Pratelles. Take those neither very young nor
very old. Remove the butts only. As in No. 1 B. Then slice.
String or skewer the slices lightly, and expose to a current of
warm dry air. A warm oven, with the door open, is a good place.
When quite dry and shrivelled, pack in tins, with spice at top and
bottom. When wanted for use, soak the slices in tepid water for
some hours. Then cook.

No. 28. — To Pickle Pratelles. Take " buttons," and remove
butts only. As in No. 1 B. Put into jars, and cover with cold
spiced pickling vinegar. Add a few peppercorns and mustard
seeds, and seal hermetically.

No. 29. — Soused Mushrooms. Remove the butts, or all the stems,
from large, not juicy, mushrooms. As in No. 1 A. Then boil with
some salt in water for ten or twelve minutes. Take out and drain
before the fire. Then put in a dish, and pour over them hot
vinegar, in which has been boiled peppercorns, mustard seed, cloves,
mace, a bunch of sweet herbs and scallions, and a clove of garlic.
Serve cold, for a side dish. Spindleshanks, Stumptufts, or Paxils
go well this way.

No. 30. — Potted Mushrooms. Let mushrooms be prepared and
dressed according to any receipt preferred. They may then be
drained and pressed into jars. When cold, melted butter is to be
poured over the top. They are as good as potted meats. The
liquor may be preserved with them, if isinglass or something
similar be added to make it " jelly."

No. 31. — To Keep Mushrooms Temporarily. Cleanse and remove
parts to be rejected. As in No. 1 A. Then boil for five or ten
minutes with salt and water. Drain, and wipe dry. A good plan
for saving nice fresh mushrooms for a few days.

No. 32. — To Prepare Russules. The Bisotte and Yerdette, with
the other edible Russules, can be cooked in any of the foregoing
methods. But they lack moisture, and are not very good to grill
or fry. Their stems and gills are to be rejected, not the peel, and
they are to be prepared as in No. 1 B.

212 CULINAEY EECEIPTS.

No. 33. — Omelette aux Verdettes. Remove the stems only. As
in No. 1 A. Then throw into boiling water, and boil for three
minutes. Take out, and drain before the fire. Mince fine, and mix
with pepper, salt, and a little chopped lemon-peel. Mingle with
eggs, and cook as an omelette. Verdettes make the best omelette
of any mushrooms, biit others may be tried in the same way.

Ko. 34. — St. Georges k la Paysanne. Remove the butts only.
As in No. 1 B. Then put them entire into a stewpan, with plenty
of butter or oil, or both, and season with pepper, salt, and lemon-
juice. Stew gently for half an hour to three-quarters. Then
serve, garnishing with lemon.

No. 35. — St. George Ragout. Remove the butts only. As in
No. 1 B. Then divide each St. George into two or three pieces.
Melt lard in a stewpan. Boil it with minced parsley and scallions,
a morsel of garlic, crushed peppercorns, and salt. In a few
minutes put in the St. Georges. After ten minutes, add broth, and
simmer, skimming off the lard as it rises. In half an hour add
some meat jelly, and then serve.

No. 36. — St. Georges aux Croutes. Dress as in the preceding
receipt, for a ragout. Take bread crumb, and cut crusts into it.
Soak in milk, and brown in a frying-pan. Drain, and put on the
dish with the ragout.

No. 37.— To Dry St. Georges. Remove the butts only. As in.
No. 1 A. Then cut into slices down through cap and stem.
Lightly thread or skewer these, and suspend them in a warm,
dry room for four days. When quite dry, pack into tins, with
spice at top and bottom. Two or three of these slices, either
entire or powdered, will add a marvellous flavour to meat hashes,
stews, pies, or soups.

No. 38. — Sterbeck's Condiment. Take blanched almonds, pepper-
corns, suit, a clove of garlic, lemon- juice, and a little oil. Pound
in a mortar, mixing together into a fine paste. Used as a table
condiment, like mustard, with all mushrooms, but especially with
St. Georges.

No. 39.— To Prepare Lactars. Remove the stems. As in No.
1 B. Then take tepid water, adding a wineglassful of strong
vinegar, and a tablespoonful of salt to each pint. Steep the
Lactars in this for six hours, remove into fresh salt and water, and
boil ten minutes. Then rinse in fresh cold water, and dry. They
may now be dressed according to any receipt from No. 3 to No. 30.
Kcdniilks and Kidneys must not bo so prepared.

CULINAHY RECEIPTS. 213

No. 40. — To Prepare Rsdmilks and Kidneys. Remove ihe batts
of the stems only. As in No. 1 A. Then proceed to dress in any-
way from No. 2 to No. 20.

No. 41. — Redmilks a I'lmperatrice. Prepare as just directed.
Then slice and fry in butter, constantly stirring. In five minutes
add pepper, salt, minced sweet herbs and scallions, and thicken
the gravy with flour. In five minutes more put in lemon-juice,
cayenne pepper, and a glass of champagne or sauterne. Then
serve at once. An especially excellent dish.

No. 42. — To Pickle Redmilks. Prepare as in No. 40. Lay them
whole in jars. Pour on them boiling hot, strong, white-wine
vinegar, well spiced. Fill the jars, and seal hermetically.

No. 43. — To Salt Eedmilks. Remove the butts, and simply
cleanse with a brush. Put them in layers in a keg, covering each
layer with salt. Pack tightly, fill the keg, and close hermetically.
Brine may be used, but dry salt is best. When to be used, throw
the mushrooms into boiling water for three minutes, then rinse in
cold, and dry in a cloth. Then cook as from No. 3 to No. 30.

^*^ The receipt answers for any firm-fieshed and juicy
kinds of mushroom.

No. 44. — To Prepare Amanitas. The esculent Amanites can be
dressed any way from No. 2 to No. 30. The stems and peel are
to be rejected, and they require short cooking. The two following
receijits are applied in France to the famous Oronge. They will be
found here very appropriate for sound, well-selected Blushers.
Exquisite ketchup is yielded by Blushers, and spoiling ones may
go into the tub.

No. 45. — Blushers a la Barigonle. Remove peel and stems, but
reserve upper half of stems. As in No. 1 A. Make forcemeat
with the upper part of the stems minced, bread crumb, sweet
herbs, garlic, pepper, salt, and a little oil. Pack this upon the
gills of the Blushers. Put them on a plate in a Dutch oven before
a hot fire, and continue to baste them with oil. Give them fifteen
minutes, and serve.

No. 46. — Blushers a la Chapsal. — Take six large ones. Remove
peel and lower half of stems. Do not wash, but wipe carefully
with a damp cloth. Put olive-oil in the bottom of a pie-dish, and
lay the Blushers in it. Bone and clean two anchovies, and rub
them into paste in a mortar, together with pepper, salt, garlic, and
parsley. Put this on the Blushers, and pour over all a pint of
white wine. Cover the dish with oiled paper, lay a plate over it.

214 CULINARY RECEIPTS.

and put it into a hot oven for twenty minutes. Then take ont the
Blushers and set them on a dish. Skim the oil off the liquor, add
the juice of half a lemon to it, and pour it over the Blushers.
Serve at once.

No. 47. — To Prepare Chantarelles. Pare off the base of the
stem. Wipe clean. Rinse in cold water, and dry in a cloth. Im-
merse in warm milk, and let them soak in it for six hours. They
require lengthy stewing, with plenty of butter or oil and broth,
They are excellent to add to meat hashes and stews. The
following special methods are the best in which to dress them
alone : —

No. 48. — Chantarelles a la Beurre. Instead of soaking in milk,
slice the washed Chantarelles, and put them into a stewpan in
which butter is melted. Keep them warm, and stir them for ten
minutes. Then add more butter, with pepper, salt, and minced
parsley, also some sippets of bread. Fry briskly for ten minutes,
and then serve.

No. 49. — Omelette aux Chantarelles. Prepare as in No. 47.
Then mince fine with sweet herbs and seasoning. Mingle with
eggs, and cook as usual for an omelette.

No. 50. — Chantarelles k la Diichesse. As in No. 47. Then put
them into a stewpan Avith a little butter, a spoonful of oil, crushed
peppercorns, salt, a spoonful of lemon-juice, a shred of lemon-
peel, and a leaf of fresh tarragon. Heat briskly to boiling point,
then allow to simmer. Add a few spoonfuls of rich gravy, and of
cream. Stew gently for twenty minutes. Finally add egg-yolk
to bind, and serve at once.

No. 51. — Puree of Chantarelles. — Prepare as in No. 47. Then
stew gently in water, not allowing it to boil, until the Chantarelles
are soft and pulpy. Take out, mash, and strain in a cloth. Put
the mash into a stewpan with butter, lemon-juice, minced parsley
and onion, and a leaf of fresh tarragon. Heat gently, adding a
little broth and meat jelly. Simmer and stir to a proper consis-
tence. Serve alone, or with veal.

No. 52.— To Prepare Oreads. Remove the stems. As in No. 1 A.
Then dress, according to such receipts from No. 3 to No. 30, as
seem suitable for small, dry-fleshed mushrooms. They want short
cooking and plenty of butter and broth.

No. 53.— Oreads k la Reine. Remove the stems. As in No. 1 B.
Then flour slightly and dip into egg. Have butter or oil boiling
in a pan, seasoned Avith salt, pepper, parsley, and shallot. Throw

CULINARY RECEIPTS. 215

the Oreads into this, and fry till nicely brown. Then take out,
drain, serve on a napkin, gat-nishing with lemon.

No. 54. — To Dry Oreads. Remove the stems. As in No. 1 B.
String through the centre. Expose in a warm room for three days,
till quite dry. Pack in tins with spice. They may be used
powdered to impart their rich flavour to gravies and soups. Or
they may be refreshed by soaking them in warm water, and then
be cooked whole, as if fresh.

No. 55. — Oread Wine. Prepare as in No. 1 A. Then put in a
bowl, and just cover them with white wine, and let them remain
twenty-four hours. Then press out all the liquor. Add to it
crushed peppercorns, mustard seed, alLspice, ginger, mace, and salt.
Heat gi'adually to boiling point. Then strain and bottle. An
excellent flavouring for meat-dishes, soups, and sauces.

No. 5S. — To Prepare Blewits. Gather only when dry, not rain-
soaked. Remove the butts, or the whole .stems, according to age.
As in No. 1 B. Then dress any way from No. 2 to No. 30. The
Blewit has a taste of veal, and the following is a dainty way of
cooking it. Blewits also make good ketchup.

No. 57.— Blewits aux Papillotes. As in No. 1 A. Then dip in
oil, and sprinkle with pepper, salt, minced sweet herbs and
scallions. Enfold in oiled paper. Broil for ten to fifteen minutes,
constantly basting with oil. Serve in the papers, garnishing with
lemon.

No. 58. — To Prepare Parasols. Remove the stem and peel. As
in No. 1 A. Then dress in any manner from No. 2 to No. 30.
They yield first-rate ketchap. The following is the author's
favourite way of dressing them : —

No. 53. — Parasols a la Tourtiere. As in No. 58. Then put into
a well-buttered pie-dish, with a little butter on them, or cream,
and with toast below. Sprinkle with pepper, salt, and parsley
that has been rubbed with garlic and minced. Cover with oiled
paper and a plate. Bake in a hot oven fifteen minutes. Serve in
the dish, without removing the cover.

No. 60. — To Prepare Paxils. — A coarse species, but so plenteous
that it might be of considerable benefit to poor families. Remove
the butts. As in No. 1 A. Then divide down the middle, throw
into boiling water, and boil for three minutes. Take out, and press
dry in a cloth. Dress as in Nos. 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, etc. Cook a little
longer than Pratelles, and season more highly.

No. 61. — Paxils a la ELilanaise. As in No. 60. Then mince the

216 CULUTARY RECEIPTS.

Paxils finely. Heat butter and brown sauce in a stewpan, adding
salt, pepper, minced sweet herbs, and a shred of garlic. When
hot, put in the Paxils and stew five minutes. Then add half the
quantity of grated cheese (Parmesan) as of Paxils. Stew fifteen
minutes, adding more butter and gravy as required. Then turn
out, ganiishwith maccaroni, sprinkle with grated cheese and bread
crumb, and brown the top. Serve.

^*^ Of course lard or di'ipping can always be used as a

substitute for butter, oil, and gravy, but the dish cannot

be expected to be so dainty. In the same way, perry, or

even good-class cider, can fill the place of wine, when that

is ordered.

No. 62. — To Salt Paxils. Remove butts and wipe clean. Pack

in layers in a keg, with salt or brine on each layer. Close the keg

hermetically. When wanted, rinse in cold water, then boil for

fifteen minutes, drain, dry in a cloth, and proceed as above.

No. 63. — To Prepare Stumptufts. Remove stems, and as much
of the peel as can be stripped off. As in No. 1 B. Then put to
soak in tepid water, adding two tablespoonfuls of vinegar to the
pint. After two hours take out, rinse in cold water, dry in cloth,
and proceed as in Nos. 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, or 29.

No. 64. — Stumptufts a la Cabaret. As in No. 63. Then melt
butter in a stewpan, with sweet herbs, onion or garhc, pepper and
salt. Put in the mushrooms. Simmer five minutes. Add two or
three glassf uls of table ale. Stew twenty minutes, and then serve.
No. 65. — To Prepare Spindleshanks. Remove the stems. As in
No. 1 A. Then dress in any way from No. 2 to No. 30. Stew the
stems in a little water, with seasoning, strain, and use the gravy
for cooking and serving with the caps.

No. 66. — To Pickle Spindleshanks. Gather young, and in dry
weather. As in No. 1 B., removing butts only. Divide in halves
through cap and stem. Lay in jars and cover with cold, spiced,
white-wiiiG vinegar. Cork tightly.

No. 67. — To Prepare Inkcaps. Gather only when j^ouug, before
the gills have begun to licj^uet'y, and in dry weather. Remove the
base of the stems. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Dress as in
No. 17, taking off as soon as they break or " sink." Serve on toast.
Ketchup made from Inkcaps will not keep, and is poor.

No. 68. — Ketchup (1). Remove the butts. Sprinkle all with
salt. Pile in a buwl. Let thcra remain so for three days, stirring
occttsionally. Thou squeeze out all the liijuor. To each gallon of

CULINAEY KECEIPTS. 217

it add cloves and mustard seed, crushed, of each half an ounce ;
allspice, peppercorns, and ginger, crushed, of each one ounce.
Heat slowly up to boiling point in a covered vessel. Set aside
in a warm place for a fortnight. Then strain and bottle. If the
ketchup shows signs of not keeping, add more salt and spice, heat
and proceed as before.

No. 69. — Ketchup (2), Remove the butts. Pat the mushrooms
in a press, and drive out all the juice. Of this, to each two gallons
add allspice, crushed, two ounces ; peppercorns, mustard seed, and
ginger, crushed, of each one ounce ; salt a pound or more ; shallots
minced, three ounces ; garlic one clove. Simmer for one hour in
a closed vessel. Let cool for twelve hours. Then strain and
bottle. The best ketchup mushrooms are the various Pratelles
and Parasols, Blewits, Blushers, and Grisettes. Oreads may be
added, as they greatly improve the flavour ; but they have no juice
to yield themselves.

No. 70. — To Prepare Bolets. Remove the stems, and scoop out
the tubes with a spoon. As in No 1 B. Then proceed as in Nos. 2
to 30. The following are special methods : —

No. 71. — Bolets k la Bordelaise. As in No. 70. Put them on a
plate, pouring oil upon them. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, minced
parsley, and onion. Put the plate in a Dutch oven before a bright
fire for ten or fifteen minutes. Serve on toast.

No. 72.— Bolets a la Citoyenne. As in No. 70. Then lay them
in oil for two hours. Take out, drain, put into a pie-dish, with
fresh butter, salt, crushed peppercorns, minced parsley, scallions,
and a leaf or two of fresh tarragon. Cover with fried bread
grated. Cover the dish with oiled paper and a plate. Bake in a
hot oven fifteen minutes. Serve at once, in the dish.

No. 73. — Bolets a la Vivandiere. As in No. 70. Then cut into
thick slices. Heat oil, lard, or dripping in a frying-pan, with
pepper and salt. Throw in the Bolets, and fry seven minutes,
Serve on fried bread.

No. 74. — To Dry Bolets. Gather in dry weather. Remove stems
and tubes. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Slice. String the
slices. Hang up in a warm place for two days. Then give them
a minute in a moderately wai^m oven. Pack in tins with spice.
When wanted, steep the slices in tepid water for some hours, till
they swell. Then proceed to dress as for fresh Bolets. The
Russians retain the stems and dry their Bolets whole, stringing
them up the stem and through the centre of the cap.

218 CULINARY RECEIPTS.

No. 75. — Fresh Bolet Soup. Remove only the butts of the stems.
Rinse in cold -water, and dry. Chop up all small. Put into a
stewpan Avith salt, crushed peppercorns, grated nutmeg, half a
pound of breadcrust, a quarter pound of butter, and some stock
(a pound of lean ham, or a cupful of lentils, if stock is not avail-
able). Stew for an hour, adding warm water or broth if necessary.
Then rub all through a fine sieve. Put back on the fire, thin with
broth if requisite, simmer twenty minutes, and serve, with sippets
of fried bread in the tureen. The Yellow Bolets can be used this
Avay.

No. 76.— Dried Bolet Soup. Take two handfuls of dried Bolet
slices. Put them in a pan of broth, and set it by the fire for some
hours, till the slices are fully swelled. Then set it on the fire to
simmer, and add bread crust till the whole is pasty. Now take
some Bolet slices separately, which have been swelled in warm
water. Put butter, with pepper and salt, into a frying-pan, and
when hot, fry these slices in it for ten minutes. Now take off the
puree, and rub it through a sieve. Return it to the fire, adding
salt, pepper, parsley rubbed with gai-lic and minced, and thin with
broth as needful. Lastly, add the fried slices to the soup, boil up
a moment, and serve at once.

No. 77. — Bolets a la Normande. As in No. 70. Then set before
the fire a minute to steam, and again press dry in a cloth. Then
put in a pie-dish, cover with oil, and .sprinkle with pepper and salt,
minced parsley and onion. Cover the dish with oiled paper and a
plate. Bake ten or twelve minutes, and serve with halves of lemon
to be used at table.

No. 78. — Bolets a la Marseillaise. As in No. 70. Reserve the
upper halves of sound stems. Mince these portions up with salt,
pe])per, sweet herbs, and onion, and mix into a paste with oil, or
with cream, or butter. Stew this very gently for twenty minutes.
Meanwhile smear the caps with oil or butter, and grill them for
five minutes. Then add them to the stew, with gravy as requisite.
Simmer a few minutes, and serve.

No. 79.— Bolets k la Potence. As in No. 70. Then put before
the fire for a minute to steam, and again wipe dry. Cut large ones
into two or three pieces. Put on skewers alternately with slices
of fat bacon. Dip all in oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and
minced sweet herbs. Flour or bread the skewers. Then grill for
ten or fifteen minutes, basting with oil. Arrange the skewers on
a dish, garnish with sliced lemon and fi'ied parsley, and serve.

CULINAET EECEIPTS. "219

No. 80. — To Prepare Oaktongnes. Gather whilst of a light red
or flesh-tint, no matter how large. Remove the hard butt or base
only. As in No. 1 B. Then as follows. Oaktongues may also be
cooked in various ways, as if they were beef. Such good old
English dishes as Toad-in-the-Hole and Babble-and-Squeak can
be made with them.

No. 81. — Oaktongue k la Druidesse. As in No. 80. Then cut
into thick steaks. Smear each liberally with oil or butter. Sprinkle
with pepper and salt, and dust them with flour. Put on a hot
grill over a bright fire, and give them about ten minutes' grilling.
Serve hot, garnishing with fried onions.

No. 82. — Oaktongue Salad. As in No. 80. Then cut in thin
slices, and rub them with garlic. Mingle with lettuce or other
green salad. Dress with oil, vinegar, pepper, mustard, and salt.
Serve.

No. 83. — Oaktongue a la Pompadour. As in No. 80. Then
mince fine, and put into a stewpan with all the juice that has run
out. Add butter, three ounces to the pound. Add salt, pepper,
minced parsley and onion. Minced veal or chicken may also be
added, but is not necessary. Stew gently for twenty minutes.
Then add lemon- juice and cayenne pepper. Simmer a moment,
then add egg-yolk beaten up with cream, to bind ; and serve at
once, garnishing with toast.

No. 84. — Oaktongue a I'Americaine. As in No. 80. Then mince
fine and stew gently for twenty minutes in its own juice, adding
butter, plenty of salt and chopped onion, a little minced parsley,
and pepper. Then take potatoes, boiled and mashed, and amalga-
mate the stew with them, mixing well. Put the mixed mash into
a pie-dish, and set it in the oven till the top is well browned. Serve.

No. 85. — Consomm^ of Oaktongue. Take any sound Oaktongues,
even when old and brown. Pare off the hard parts, rinse, and
dry. Mince fine, and stew in their own juice very gently for
twenty minutes. Then press out all the juice and strain it. This
may be seasoned and used as stock, soup, or gravy. It is just like
beef gravy. It may be boiled with spice and salt, bottled, an
kept as a ready substitute for beef broth.

No. 86. — To Prepare Urchins. Remove the butts of the stems,
and scrape off the spines. As in No. 1 B. Cut large ones into
several pieces. Place all in a stewpan, laying plain butter on top
of them. Put near the fire, exposing the pan to just enough heat
to liquefy the butter, and no more. Cover the stewpan, but keep

220 CULINARY RECEIPTS.

turnin"' it about. In ten minutes take out tlie Urcliins, and drain
them thoroutrhlr. Now dress them as in Nos. 48 to 51, or as
follows : —

No. 87.— Urchins a la Russe. As in No. 86. Then put into a
stewpan, with a spoonful of oil, a glassful of milk, cayenne and
black peppers, salt, a piece of mace, and sprigs of parsley. Stew
forty minutes, then take out the parsley and mace, and add a
little gravy or meat jelly. Lastly, bind with the yolks of eggs
beaten up Avith cream and lemon-juice, beat up a moment, stir-
ring, and serve.

No. 88.— Urchins k la Chasseur. As in No. 86. But select
lai'ge Urchins, and do not divide them. Then sprinkle with pepper,
salt, and minced parsley. Flour them, and put them on a grill
over a bright fire for fifteen minutes. Baste witb oil or butter.
Serve hot.

No. 89. — Urchin Ragout. As in No. 86. Then slice into a
saucepan, with dripping, broth, pepper, and salt, parsley and onion.
At pleasure add beans, peas, or turnip and carrot, diced. Stew
half an hour, and serve.

No. 90. — Urchins a la Princesse. As in No. 86. Then put into
a stewpan with good gravy, with salt, cayenne pepper, sweet
herbs and chervil, minced, and a piece of mace. Stew half an
hour. Then add a glassful of good cream. Heat up quickly,
and pour out on to fried bread. Serve.

No. 91. — Urchins a la Forestiere. As in No. 86. Then boil
Consomme of Oaktongue in a stewpan, and put the Urchins into
it. Add salt, crushed pepjDercorns, cayenne pepper, mace, minced
parsley, and onion, also a little butter or cream. Simmer half an
hour. Add flour to thicken, and a glass of white wine. Bind
with egg-3'olk, heating and stirring cautiously, and serve.

No. 92. — Urchins a la Varsovienne. As in No. 86. Then cut
up into dice, with an equal quantity of fat bacon. Mingle with
minced parsley and onion, black and red peppers, and salt.
Inclose in thin paste, wrap in cloths, and boil half an hour. Serve
liot, with tomato sauce.

No. 93. — To Prepare Clavarias. — The Clavarias, together Avith
Sjjarassis and the branched Hydna, are to be picked clean, then
I)reijared as in No. 1, B, and then buttered or " sweated " as was
directed for Urchins in No. S>5. Lai'ge ones should be divided,
and the small ones can be tied into bundles. They may be dressed
in the ways just indicated for Urchins, or as follows : —

CULINAUT RECEIPTS. 221

No. 94. — Clavarias k la Sal)ine. Aa in 'No. 93. Then drain,
flour, and put them into a stewpan with butter, gravy, pepper
and salt, and minced sweet herbs. Stew gently for half an hour,
and then thicken with flour and a little grated cheese. Heat up,
stirring. At pleasure bind with egg. Serve.

No. 95. — Clavarias k la Fascine. As in No. 93. Then mingle
with a little minced ham, parsley, and crushed peppercorns. Tie
up in parcels inclosed in strips of bacon and skewered. Flour the
parcels, and stew them in bi^oth for an hour, putting white paper
under the lid of the pan. Then serve on toast, with brown sauce,
like meat rissoles.

No. 93. — Clavarias k la Romaine. As in No. 93. Then stew
them in milk for an hour, adding sweet herbs and shallots, pepper,
salt, and nutmeg. Lastly, serve in sauce d la maUre d'hotel.

No. 97. — To Pickle Clavarias. As in No. 1 C. Then put into
jars with peppercorns, mustard seed, and nasturtium seed. Pour
on them cold, spiced, white wine vinegar. Fill up, and cork her-
metically.

No. 98. — To Prepare jyEorels. Gather only in dry weather. Pick
clean. Rinse with agitation in several successive pans of cold
water. Dry thoroughly. Remove only the butt of the stem.
Then proceed as in the following receipts : —

No. 99. — Morels a la Fermiere. As in No. 98. Then split
them, and stew them with butter, a little gravy, minced sweet
herbs, pepper and salt, for half an hour to an hour. Bind with
whipped egg-yolk and cream. Serve on fried bread.

No. 100.— Morels a la Hollandaise. As in No. 98. Then split
them. Butter both sides. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Flour
them, and put them in a dish in a Dutch oven before a brio-ht
fire. About twenty minutes.

No. 101. — Morels a la Vienne. As in No. 98. Do not split, but
fill the Morels with a forcemeat composed of bread, suet, sweet
herbs, and lemon. Wrap bacon round them and tie it. Stew
gently in broth for about an hour. Serve on toast, with good
brown sauce. This naay be varied by making any of the followino-
a chief ingi^edient of the stuffing : veal, chicken, sardines, anchovies,
lobster, crab, chestnuts, etc.

No. 102. — Morels a la FraiKjaise. As in No. 98. Then cut
across into several pieces. Put them in a stewpan with olive oil,
pepper, and salt. Heat up briskly. Then add minced sweet
herbs and scallions, and a morsel of garlic, Add some gravy, and

222 CULINARY RECEIPTS.

stew o-entlv. In three-quarters of an liour add lemon-juice and a
glass of white wine. Then serve, on fried bread.

No. 103. — Noix de veau h la Morille. Put a piece of veal in a
pie-dish. Take Morels, prepared as in No. 98, split, butter, and
set them round the meat. Season all with black and red peppers,
stilt, lemon, and minced sweet herbs. Bake in an oven for an
hour. Then serve in the dish.

No. 104. — Morels a la Guillotine. As in No. 98. Split them,
and put before the fire to steam. Then put them in a pan with
oil, butter, pepper, salt, minced parsley and onion. Warm slightly,
and let them soak two hours. Then spit the Morels on skewers,
season them, bread them, and grill or iry them in their own gravy
for fifteen minutes. Serve.

No. 105. — Morels a la Madeleine. As in No. 98. Then split
and put them in a stewpan with butter, salt, minced sweet herbs,
and a lump of sugar. Moisten with white gravy. Stew gently
for an hour. Thicken with flour. Lastly add a glass or two of
good cream. Serve on fried bi'ead.

No. 106. — Morels a la Bretonne. As in No. 98. Then split and
put into a stewpan with butter; let the butter melt slowly over
them, then add lemon-juice and increase the heat, stirring. Next
add some good gravy, pepper, salt, and nutmeg. Stew gently for
an hour. Lastly, bind with egg-yolk and serve on fried bread.

No. 107. — ^Morels a la Polonaise. As in No. 98. Then split and
put into a stewpan with butter, peppercorns, salt, and a bunch of
sweet herbs. Heat briskly for ten minutes. Then add some flour,
moisten with chicken-broth, and simmer gently for three-quarters
of an hour. Then take out the herbs. Add the yolks of eggs
beaten up with cream and sugar. Heat up, and serve on fried
bread.

No. 108.— To Dry Morels. As in No. 1 B, after having split
them. Let them steam before the fire. Then arrange them on a
sieve, and put them in a warm, airy place for a day or two, till dry.
Lastly give them a minute in a moderate oven, and pack in tins
with spice. When wanted, they ai-e to be steeped in warm milk
for some hours, and afterwards dressed as if fresh.

No. 109.— -To Prepare Helvels. Gather only in dry weather, and
do not keep them long. Pick clean by hand, and serve as in No.
1 B. Remove the butts, split them, and lay them befoi-e the fire
to sioani. Then dress in any way like Morels, or as follows : —

No. 110.— Helvels k la Louise. As in No. 109. Then put them

CULINARY EECEIPTS. 223

in milk, with minced parsley and salt, and stew for half an hour.
Finally, bind with egg-yolk, and serve on toast.

No. 111. — Helvels a la Gourmande. As in ISTo. 109. Then pack
them with stuffing composed of minced veal or chicken, bread-
crumb, salt, cayenne pepper, and lemon. Wrap in slices of bacon,
and tie round. Then stew for half an hour in rich brown gravy.
Flavour the gravy with wine, and bind with egg if desired. Serve
the rissoles in it.

No. 112. — To prepare Lorchels. This species must always be
subjected carefully to the following pi-eparation, as, without it, it
is deleterious : — Pick clean. Cut into slices, and boil these in
water for fifteen minutes. Then wash in two successive pans of
fresh boiling water, with agitation. Then dry in cloths. Now
proceed to dress as Morels and Helvels. Carefully throw away
the waters used.

No. 113. — To Prepare Elf-cups, Craterelles, Bulgars, Verpas,
Tremelles, etc. Pare off the butts or rooting parts. Treat them
as in No. 1 B. Then proceed to dress in any of the ways indicated
for Morels and Helvels.

No. 114. — To Prepare Oysters. All the tree-Agarics which are
edible may be gathered only in the young state, when fresh and
tender. They are to be treated as in No. 1 B, then sliced, and
buttered or "sweated " as in No. 86, They can then be dressed
like Urchins.

No. 115. — To Prepare Polypores. Select the youngest specimens.
Pare off hard parts. Treat as in No. 1 C. Slice thinly. Then
sweat as in No. 86. Proceed as for Urchins.

No. 116.— To Prepare Puflfballs. Brush them clean. Peel
entirely, and pare the bottom part. Slice through the middle,
and reject all not perfectly >vhite right through. Dress as fol-
lows : —

No. 117.— Puffball a la Lyonnaise. Take small Puffballs. As
in No. 116. Cut in thin slices. Mingle with minced bacon, parsley,
and shredded onion, with pepper and salt. Fry in lard five or six
minutes, and serve on toast.

No. 118.— Puffball k la DaupMne. Take a Giant Puffball.
As in No. 116. Cut across into slices half an inch thick. Dip in
yolk of egg, and sprinkle with minced sweet herbs, pepper, and
salt. Throw into boiling oil, or butter, and fry six minutes, turn-
ing once. Serve hot.

No. 119. — Puffball a la Jardiniere. As in No. 116. Mince

224 CULINARY RECEIPTS.

with carrots, turnips, cabbasre, onion, etc. Stew in Consonira6 of
Oaktonfrne, or in broth. Season and thicken to taste. Serve.

No. 120.— PufFball k la Toscaue. As in No. 116. Cut in
thick slices. Laj them in a bowl, rubbins: each with gai'lic, and
sprinkling with salt and pepper. Cover all with oil, and set in a
warm ])lace for an hour. Then take out, flonr, and throw into
boiling batter. As soon as the slices have taken a good ci'ust,
remove them from the batter, drain, and serve on a napkin, with
fried parsley.

No. 121. — Puflfball a la Grande Duchesse. As in ISTo. 116. Cut
into dice. Make sauce with butter, cream, and meat jelly, season-
ing it with minced onion, a bunch of sweet herbs, peppercorns,
allspice, and Chili pods. Heat it briskly, and then put in the
Puffball, and stew gently for ten minutes. Then add a glass of
white wine, and the juice of a lemon, and remove the herbs.
Bind with egg-yolk beaten with cream, heat up, and serve on fried
bread.

No. 122.— Puflfball Salads. As in No. 116. Cut into strips.
Mingle with mustard and cress ; or with blanched dandelion,
scallions, and hard-boiled egg, and dress as ordinarily for a salad.
Or amalgamate with potato salad d VAUemande.

No. 123. — To Prepare Truffles. All species, English and foreign,
together Avith the other subterranean edibles, are prepared simply
by rinsing in cold water, scrubbing with a brush, and drying in a
cloth. There are hundreds of Avays of dressing Truffles, but
there is only room here for a few exceptionally excellent ones, as
follows : —

No. 124 — Truffles a la Perigord. As in No. 123. Then put into
a stewpan some slices of bacon, and lay the Truffles on them.
Sprinkle with salt and a leaf or two of bay. Cover all with
champagne. Close the pan tightly, and boil half an hour. Serve
the Truffles alone, on a napkin.

No. 125.— Trufflss a la Cognac. As in No. 123. Then put into
a stewpan two glasses of Avhite wine and one of good bi-andy,
adding spices. Put the Truffles in a steamer above this. Heat
and as soon as it boils, put a damp cloth over the lid, and stew for
half an hour. Serve the Truffles on a napkin.

No. 126.— Truffles a la Marechale. As in No. 123. Put salt
and pepper on each, and Avrap them in oiled paper. Place them
in a covered iron pot, which set among hot embers for an hour.
Serve in the papers.

CULINARY KECEIPTS. -^D

No. 127.— Trnffles k la Piemontaise. As in No. 123. Steep them
in oil for an hour. Cut them in thin slices. Lay these on a silver
plate, with oil, salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese. Make
fresh layers on top. Bake in a Dutch oven fifteen minutes, and
serve on the plate.

No. 128.— Truflae Patties. As in No. 123. Then lard them with
a proper larding-pin. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and inclose
each in short paste. Bake an hour. Serve hot or cold.

No. 129. — Truffles k la Rossini, As in No. 123. Then slice
thinly. In a salad-bowl mix oil, vinegar, mnstai'd, pepper, salt,
and lemon-juice. Put in the sliced Truffles. Black Truffles
require also egg-yolk and garlic.

No. 130.— Truffles a I'ltalienne. As in No. 123. Then slice
thinly. Put the slices in a pan with oil, salt, pepper, parsley,
onion, garlic, and a clove. Heat gently for six minutes. Take out
and drain the slices. Put them into good gravy or white wine,
with butter and flour. Stew an hour. Add lemon-juice, and
servo.

No. 131.— Truffles au Court-bouillon. As in No. 123. Put into
a saucepan a quart of white wine or champagne, with butter, three
scallions, a small carrot, a bunch of thyme and basil, three cloves,
a leaf of bay, a sprig of parsley, and salt. Boil for an hour. "Wrap
the Ti-uffles in buttered paper, and put them in another pan.
Strain the boiled wine and pour it on them. Stew half an horn*.
Take out the Truffles, drain them, and serve dry on a napkin.

No. 132. — Truffles k la Lomharde. As in No. 123. Cut one
pound of Ti'uffles in slices on a plate. In a pie-dish mix half
a pound of butter, eight table-spoonfuls of olive-oil, two pounded
anchovies, parsley rubbed with garlic and minced, and onion.
Heat gently, and then put in the Truffles, with a little salt. Bake
moderately for twenty minutes. Take out the Truffles, and serve
them in rich brown sauce.

No. 133. — Truffles a I'Espagnole. As in No. 123. Di%'ide them
into two or three pieces. Stew them fifteen minutes with oil,
m.inced parsley and onion, pepper, salt, allspice, and a leaf of bay.
Then add a glass of Madeira or brown sherry. Next put in egg-
yolk beaten up with flour, to bind. Heat up a moment, and serve.

A FUNGUS FEAST.

,', As should appear evident from the list of Culinary Eeceipts given, it is
quite possible to make up a regular set dinner— nay, more, a positive banquet !
— out of nothing but Fungi of various kinds, cooked in appropriate ways.
Experience will soon teach the " toadstool-eater " that the flavours^ of sundi-y
Fungi, the different consistency of their flesh, and the methods of cuUnary
preparation to which they lend themselves, will allow of his selecting kinds
suitable for dishes of each course. Here is one of the Author's Menus, as a
specimen of what may be done during autumn. It is necessary, however, to
the gathering of a good variety of kinds, that several instructed persons should
each simultaneously search a different locality ; one mixed woods, another pine-
woods, a third meadows, and so on. By such means a sufficiency of different
esculents may readily be collected in any ordinarily prolific season.

Menu.

Soups.

Consomme of Oaktongue. Puree of Golden Bolets.

Consomme of Tremelles. Puree of Cliantarelles.

Hors d'ffiuvres.

Spindleshanks au Diable. Clavarias vinaigrette.
Oreads a la vin d'Espagne. Soused Stumptufts.

Potted Pratelles. Potted Lactars.

Sterbeck's Condiment.

Fish.

Elm-Sprouts a la Chasseur. Urchins a la Russe.

Entrees.

Blushers a la Chapsal. Redmilks a Sojer.

Oreads a la Reine. Dainty Bolets a la Potence.

White Pratelles a la Ci'eme. Helvels a la Goui^mande.

Parasols a la Tourtiere.

Roti.

Oaktongue a la Druidesse. Blewits aux Papillotes.

Game.

Truffles au Court-bouillon. Grisettes on Toast.

Entremets.

PufEball Fritters, with Jam. Omelette aux Verdettes.

Elfcups aux Sucrees.

Salads.
Oaktongue. Pratelle. Puffball.

Fromage.
Golden Spindlespikea h. la Sabine. Paxils a la Milanaise.

Dessert.

226

NOTES.

MUSHROOMS DEDICATED TO SAINTS.

Some species of fungi have been dedicated to certain saints in
place of flowers. It is unnecessary to say that such ascription
must have originated in other countries than in fungus-despising
Britain. Probably France and Italy are chiefly responsible for
the fact. This appears the more evident since English compilers
of floral saints' calendars have apparently found some difficulty
in identifying the consecrated species. These have become known
to them, in the first place, under some foreign vulgar designation,
which they have simply translated and found a Latin equivalent
for in a catalogue of scientific names. Confusion has hence arisen,
because the original title has often nothing in common with the
modern systematised technical name. Hence the wrong species
have been undoubtedly indicated in most cases. I consider this
matter of the very last importance ! For, if we have such things
as mushrooms assigned peculiarly to holy saints, by all means let
us know precisely which they are ! Here is the list, so far as I
have been able to work it out.

St. Gudula's Mushroom. Saint's Day, Jan. 8th. This is The
Yellow Tremelle, Tremella mesenterica and T. lutescens, which are
the chosen plants, beyond doubt. St. Gudula used to go about
with a lantern, which an angel was kind enough to ignite for her
whenever it went out. The mushroom is emblematic of the fact
— I don't know why. At any rate, it might be found in January.

St. Raymond's Mushroom. Saint's Day, Jan. 23rd. The floral
calendarists call this " the Fairy-bath," and have, I believe
correctly established its identity with The Chalice, Peziza aceta-
bulum. I have not the slightest idea who St. Raymond was, or
why he has this fungus dedicated to him. It does not appear
here until late in March, but might be a January plant in Southern
Europe.

St. George's Mushroom. Saint's Day, April 23rd. This plant

227

228 MUSHROOMS DEDICATED TO SAINTS.

r.ppears first about the above date, and bence is named after tbe
saint and consecrated to him. It is that most excellent of edibles
The St. George, Agaricus (Tri.) gavihosus.

St. Jcdas Iscakiot's Mushroom. Saint's Day, April Slst (?).
Appeai-ing about this date is The Jew's Ear, Hirneola auricula-
jud(v, which I take upon myself the responsibility of inserting in.
this list.

St. C^sarius' Mushroom. Saint's Day, Aug. 27th. It is not at
nil surprising that CjBsar's mushroom should become the property
of his sainted namesake. The Oronge, Agaricus (J.m.) Ccesareus,
is famous in history. It was a dainty beloved by Roman epicures,
and the Emperor Claudius was assassinated by poison administered
iu a dish of Oronges. It is not a British species.

St. Lawrence Justinian's Mushroom. Sa,int's Day, Sept. 6th.
The floral calendarists are only able to designate this as " mush-
room " simply, and consequently suppose it to be Agaricus cam-
pestris. A more careful examination of the evidence proves it to
be, however, The Giant Pratelle, or Horse Mushroom, Agaricus
{Psa.) arvensis.

St. Maurice's Mushrooji. Saint's Day, Sept. 22nd. Here the

floral calendarists have got into considerable trouble, I think.

The name they got hold of was " the Tree Boletus," and they

accordingly searched botanical catalogues for a scientific eqiiiva-

lent. They found Boletus arboreus, an obsolete name by which

Sowerby designated what we now call Merulius tremellosus. This

rare and obscure species certainly could not have been the saint's

mushroom. All the Polyporei were once called Boleti, though the

name is restricted under our present system to a terrestrial genus.

Hence " Tree Boletus " might mean any one of a hundred species

or more. How then shall we discover wtich especially belongs

to St. Maurice ? Let inspiration guide us ! I find that St.

Maurice was in the habit of shaving, that he kept his razors in

order upon a strop of the period, and that the said strop was

made from a slice cut from the heart of a gi'cat fungus parasitic

on trees. Now tlie razor-strop fungus in particular is The Scaly

Polypore, I'olyporus squamosus, which, until better information

reaclios me, I sliall hold to be St. Maurice's Mushroom.

St. Gkrard's Mushroom. Saint's Day, Sept. 24th. Here again
a similar mistake has occurred. The original designation of the
species was translated "dung fungus," which the floral calendarists
have found an equivalent for in Agaricus (Pan.) fimiputris. This

MUSHEOOMS DEDICATED TO SAINTS. 229

is a slight and insignificant species, though common enough. One
may well ask what poor St. Gerard has done that, of all the dung-
inhabiting fungi, this least attractive species should have been
allotted to him ! The fact is, it never was. The dung-fungus par
excellence is undoubtedly to be found in the Pratelle family, the
" common or garden mushrooms " of these happy islands. The
typical form is The White Pratelle, Agaricus (Psa.) campestris, and
this it is which best merits dedication to the saint.

St. Ceolfrid's Mushroom. Saint's Day, Sept. 25th. This has
been translated as "the Great Boletus," which the floral calendarists
endeavour to identify as B. bovinus. But that species, though one
of the big Boleti, does not deserve to be called the Great Boletus.
Rather the title should be applied to B. elephantinus. However,
the latter is very seldom met with, and I think it more reasonable
to conclude that the most remarkable in appearance of the larger
Bolets is the true dedicated plant. The Orange Bolet, Boletus
versipellis, is at once indicated. By the way, can any one tell me
who St. Ceolfrid was, and why he has a mushroom at all ?

St. Denis' Mushroom. Saint's Day, Oct. 9th. This was desig-
nated " Milky Agaric," and the sapient floral calendarists trium-
phantly point to Agaricus (My.) lacteus as fully answering to the
description. But that species is small, though common enough,
and has nothing to do with milkiness save in hue. It is evident
that a Lactar is meant, since Lactarius used to be confounded with
Agaricus. Let us therefore look among the Lactars most prevalent
about October 9th ; and, since St. Denis is the patron saint of
France, let us seek for that species most highly esteemed among
them in France. The Kidney, Lactarius volemus, answers to both
particulars, and I make no doubt it is the true consecrated plant.

St. Luke's Mushroom. — Saint's Day, Oct. 18th. In spite of the
fact that the floral calendarists assert this to be the obscure and
unattractive Agaricus (Heb.) flocculosus, because it is named " the
Floccose Agaric " in their lists, I have no doubt or difficulty in
relegating it to the subgenus Lepiota. Of that family we must
take the common typical form as representing all, and The
Parasol, Agaricus (Lep.) procerus, becomes St. Luke's Mushroom
for us. This is far more worthy, and is certainly the floccose agaric
above all others.

St. Marcellus' Mushroom. Saint's Day, Oct. 30th, Called the
" Fringed Agaric." The floral calendarists, pursuing their usual
method of identification, state this to be Agaricus (Pleur.) timbri-

230 MUSHROOMS DEDICATED TO SAINTS.

atus. They probably were unaware they had hit upon a species
uncommon, small, and altogether unlikely to be the one intended.
It is also probable they did not know that the word " agaric " is
still familiarly used in France and Italy with about equal looseness
and latitude of meaning to the English employment of the words
"mushroom" and "toadstool." It may, in fact, mean almost
anything fungoid. Some true Agarics possess more or less fringe
upon their margins, as do some Cortinars and Lactars. But this
is a minute detail scarcely likely to be made a strong point of by
persons wishing to indicate a main feature of the plant. I think
it almost certain that the hanging spines of some Hydnum have
originated the idea of a fringe. Some of the tree-Hydna, such as
the Medusa's Head, are practically all fringe ; and one of them,
I am sure, is the "agaric " intended. But we so seldom see the
curious tree-Hydna in this country that I think it will answer the
purpose if we assume my old friend and favourite The Urchin of
the Woods, Hydnum repandum, to be St. Marcellus' Mushroom.

St. Ckcilu's Mushroom. Saint's Day, Nov. 22nd. It will strike
every one that this must evidently be The Cecilia, Agarictis {Am.)
Cecilire. However, it is only within comparatively recent times
that this species has been differentiated and named apart from its
close ally The Grisette, Agaricus {Am.) vaginatus. The two were
formerly confounded together, and have equal right to the dedi-
cation. In fact, the latter has perhaps the better right, for, of the
two, it alone will be found so late as the saint's day. It is also a
dainty and wholesome esculent, while the former is thought unsafe
by some " toadstool-eaters." — W. D. H.

STUDY-INSPIRING MUSHROOMS. 231

• STUDY-INSPIRING MUSHROOMS.

•A similar incident raised up the two greatest mycologists of past
and present times. Christian Henry Persoon, styled " The Creator
of Mycology," was led to take an interest in fungi at an early age
through accidentally finding a fine specimen of the Orange Elfcup,
Peziza aurantia. Its beauty and singularity induced him to take
up the study of fungi from that moment, and he afterwards intro-
duced a system of classification and nomenclature.

■ Ellas Fries, the great Swedish mycologist, was similarly drawn
to the study, when a boy, by finding a superb example of one of
the strangest and most beautiful of fungi. The Coralline Hydnum,
H. coralloides. The system formed by him has superseded that of
Persoon (except to French mycologists, who still cling to their
own countryman's measure of the science) ; and he has greatly
advanced mycological knowledge.

• The author of this work ventures to add his own humble expe-
rience to these illustrious examples. In boyhood, w^hile gathering
Pratelles in the meadows, he was struck by their varieties and
by the conflicting information he "was alone able to obtain respect-
ing the relative excellence, or the contrary, imputed to them
by those whom he questioned. Interest being thus aroused, he
began to study fungi where and how he could ; the result being,
so far, the present work.

INDEX.

"3

cd

Vulgar Name.

Scientific Name.

^ S
.^ m

a i

o-s

0 a

.sl

0 2.

^ ^

it ^

_• ^

bccj

- -H

tcrJ

l=s

5.0

l-s

Amadou Polypore .

Polyporus fomentarius . . .

177

115

Amethystine . . .

Ciavaria amethystina ....

132

52

93

Anisette ....

Agaricus (CI.) fragrans . . .

13

52

Archbane ....

Agaricus (Am.) phalloides . .

V,

153

Badham'a Redcap .

Russula decolorans ....

123

32

Bat's Ear ....

Peziza leporina

214

113

Bavarian Sprout .

Panus torulosus

118

115

Bay Bolet . . .

Boletus badius

156

70

Beechtuft ....

Agaricus (Arm.) mucidus . .

8

52

Beelzebub's Cushion

Boletus satanas

xlvi.

156

BigHelvel . . ..

Helvella gigas

203

49

109

Big St. George . .

Agaricus (Tri.) monstrosus . .

77

49

34

Big-stem Bolet . .

Boletus pachypus . . . . .

169

70

Bisotte ....

Russula heteropbylla ....

126

52

32

150

Bitterlet ....

Agaricus (Tri.) acerbus . . .

66

2, 31

Black Bulgar . ,

Bulgaria inquinans ....

199

113

Black Puffball . .

Bovista nigrescens

190

116

Bladder Elfcup . .

Peziza vesiculosa

218

113

Bleached-cap . .

Russula depallens

124

32

Blewit

Lepista personata

112

46

56

Bloodstain . . .

Lactarius controversus . . .

100

39

Blue Bolet . . .

Boletus cyanescens ....

160

70

Blusher ....

Agaricus (Am.) rubescens

4

50

45

Bossed Parasol . .

Agaricus (Lep.) mastoideus . .

41

48

58

Bracelet-stem . .

Gortinarius (Tel.) armillatus .

90

2,31

Brazenface . . .

Russula ochroleuca ....

xxxix-

Bright Lactar . .

Lactarius mitissimns ....

102

39

Brownie ....

Agaricus (Tri. ) albo-brunneus .

68

60

Brown Inkcap . .

Coprinus fuscescens . . . .

xxvii.

Brown Pratelle . .

Agaricus (Psa.) pratensis . .

63

45 12,31

Brown Stump-flap .

Polyporus perennis . . . .

xlviii.

Buckler ....

Agaricus (Ent.) clypeatus . .

ix.

155

Buff-gilled Eedcap .

Russula alutacea

120

32

Burning Bush . .

Ciavaria aurea

133

52

93

Burning Lactar . .

Lactarius pyrogalus . . . .

1 xxxi.

Butterfly-cap . .

Agaricus (Pan.) papilionaceus .

xvii.

Calf-skin ....

Agaricus (Tri.) vaccinus . . .

79

60

Cage Fungus . .

Clathrus cancellatus . . . .

1.

Cecilia

Agaricus (Am.) CecilisB . . .

2

44

Chalice ....

Peziza acetabulum

209

55 113

1
1

Chalky-cap . . .

Agaricus (Cha.) cretaceus . .

9

2,31

Chameleon . . .

Russula cyanoxantha . . . .

122

32

233

234

INDEX.

Vulgar Name.

Chantarelle .
Cheese-cap .
Chestnut IBolet
Chestnut-cap
Cinnamon-cap
Collared Bolet
Colunibette .
Common Brown Elf

cup . . .
Common Helvel
Common Morel
Conch . . .
Craterelle . .
Cream-clot ,
Crested Parasol
Crested Polypore
Crocodile . .
Dainty Bolet.
Dappled-cap .
Dark Jellysi^rout
Destroyer . .
Destroying Angel
Dingy Bolet .
Dingy lukcap
Dirty Lactar .
Dryad's Club
Dryad's Saddle
Dwarf . . .
Earthball . ,
Elegant Bolet
Elegante . .
Elmaprout .
Embossed Pullball
EsculentHypholonie
False Muscat .
Faun's Delight .
Feather-tuft . .
Field Darkle . .
Fir-cone Amanito
Fir-cone Sprout
Flaky Parasol .
Fork-gilledGreencaj
Fringed Lactar .
Funnel-cap . ,
Garden Pratelle
Garlic-cap , ,
Giant Bolet .
Giant Pratello ,
Giant Puffball ,
.jiant-tuft

Jlue-cap . . ,

roat'g-beard .

ioblet ...

Scientific Name.

m

-.J

H

C3

<u

U

3

f:

^

w

^

o

Cantharellus cibarius . . .
Agaricus (CI.) nebularis . .
Boletus castaneus ....
Cortinarius (Hyg.) castaneus
Cortinarius (Der.) cinnamomeus

Boletus luteus

Agaricus (Tri.) columbetta .

Peziza badia

Helvella crispa ....
Morchella esculenta . .
Panus conchatus . .
Craterellus cornucopioides
Agaricus (CI.) dealbatus .
Agaricus (Lep.) cristatus .
Polyporus cristatus . .
Agaricus (Hyph.) lacrymabundus
Boletus edulis . .
Agaricus (Pho.) prascox
Treniella fimbriata
Russula rubra . .
Agaricus (Am.) vcrnus
Boletus impolitus .
Coprinus sterquilinus
Lactarius turpis . .
Clavaria j^istillaris .
Polyporus sfjuamosus
Agaricus (Tri.) brevipes
Hcleroderma vulgare
Boletus elegans . .
Clavaria formosa
Agaricus (Pleu.) ulmarius
Lycoperdou c^latum . .
Agaricus (Hyph.) Candollianits
Agaricus (Tri.) graveoleus .
Ilydnum coralloides . . ..
Clavaria cristata ....
Agaricus (Tri.) grammopodins
Agaricus (Am.) strobiliformis
Hyduum auriscalpium . .
Agaricus (Lep.) excoriatus .

llussula furcata

Lactarius torminosus . . .
Agaricus (CI.) geotropus . .
Agaricus (Psa.) hortensis
Marasmius porreus ....
Boletus elcphantinus . . .
Agaricus (Psa.) arvcnsis . .
Lycoperdon giganteum . .
P()lyi)()rus giganteus . . .
Cortinarius (Myx.) collinitns
Clavaria botrytis ....
Agaricus (CI.) cyathiformis .

81
20

158
87
86

168
70

211
201
207
117
131
12
35
176

161

50
184

167

85
108
143
180

69
198
162
139

58
192

32

73
149
137

72

5

147

37
125
107

15

61
115
163

59
194
178

89
134

11

t-3
1— 1

bCoS

"5

fccce

47

47
2,31

70
2,31
2,31

70
2,31

113

193

49

109

192

48

98
115
113
2,31

192

48

58
115

54

70
114
113

193

55

70
07
39

52

93

115

2,31

116

70

52

93
114

45

116

2,31

34

86

52

93

2,31

44

86

48

68
32
39
34

45

2,31
52
70

188

45

2,31

45

116
115
2,31

193

52

93
34

0) d.

150

150

XIV.

xl.

vi.

155
153

150

INDEX.

235

-H

I-!

n

M

^-z

c>

o^-

cX

Q c

CM

Vulgar Name.

Scientific Name.

c 5

© ^

>M ft

0 ft

.e-s

0 ft

•H

bed

• 0

be OS

.Ch

bljea

£Ch

cej=

0 0

c3 X,

5u.

d Ja

|Zi 0

PhO

iz;«

CLiO

|2l'S

C^O

Golden-cap . . .

Bussula aurata

121

32

Golden Spindlespikc

i Clavaria fusiformis ....

140

53

93

Great Morel . . .

MorcheUa crassipes ....

206

48

98

Great White Parasol

Agaricus (Lep.) Vittadini . .

xvi.

Greybud . . . .

Agaricus (Om.) griseus . . .

46

52

Grey Parasol . .

Agaricus (Lep.) rachodes . .

44

48

58

Grey-twig ....

Clavaria grisea

141

52

93

Grisette . . . .

Agaricus (Am.) vaginatus . .

6

50

44

Guilty-sprout . .

Agaricus (Pho.) aurivellus . .

x\'iii.

Gummy Bolet . .

Boletus viscidus

173

70

Hairy Elfcup . .

Peziza hemispherica ....

213

113

Hairy-foot . . .

Marasmius peronatus ....

xxxiv.

Hare's Ear . . .

Peziza onotica

216

113

Hedge Pratelle . .

Agaricus (Psa.) pilosus . . .

62

2,31

Hen of the Woods .

Polyporus intybaceus . . . ,

179

115

Imperial . . . .

Cortinarius (In.) violaceus . .

88

2,31

Infamous Clitocyhe

Agaricus (CI.) inversus . . .

vii.

Ingenue . . . .

Agaricus (Pho.) pudicus . . .

51

114

lukcap . . . .

Coprinus atramentarius . . .

82

51

67

Italian Stone-tuft .

Polyporus tuberaster ....

182

115

194

Ivorine . . . .

Hygrophorus eburneus . . .

95

51

2,31

Jew's Ear ....

Hirneola auricula-judse . . .

183

63

Kidney ....

Lactarius volemus . . . . .

109

52

40

Klotsch's Hymeno-

gaster , . , .

Hymenogaster Klotschii . . .

188

123

Lapped-cap . . .

Agaricus (Tri.) imbricatus . .

75

2,31

Larch-clump . .

Polyporus officinalis ....

xlvii.

Leaden Lactar . .

Lactarius plumbeus ....

XXX.

Leaden Puffball .

Bovista plumbea

191

116

Leafbane . . . .

Agaricus (Col.) dryophilus . .

viii.

Liberty-cap . . .

Agaricus (Psi.) semi-lanceatus .

XX.

Limetuft . . . .

Agaricus (Pho.) mutabilis . .

49

114

Liontuft . . . .

Agaricus (Pho.) leochromus . .

48

114

Little Dark Helvel .

Helvella elastica

202

49

109

Little Darkie . .

Agaricus (Tri.) humilis . . .

74

2,31

Little Maned Inkcap

Coprinus ovatus

84

51

67

Little Onion-cap .

Marasmius alliaceus ....

113

52

Little PuffbaU . .

Lycoperdon pusillum ....

195

45

116

Little Shallot-cap .

Marasmius scorodonius . . .

116

52

Little Violet . . .

Agaricus (CI.) laccatus . . .

18

52

Little Volvar . .

Agaricus (Vol.) parvulus . . .

xxiv.

Little White Fascine

Clavaria vermiculata ....

145

52

93

Lizard-tuft . . .

Leotia lubrica

205

113

Longshank . . .

Agaricus (Col.) longipes . . .

27

65

Longstem Elfcup .

Peziza macropus

215

113

Lord) el . . . .

Gyromitra esculenta . . . .

200

112

156

Lurid Bolet . . .

Boletus luridus

xlv.

156

Lycoperdon Nut. .

Elaphomyces granulatus . . .

Hii.

Malignant. . . .

Russula sardonia

xlii.

Maned Inkcap . .

Coprinus comatus

83

51

67

Mauve -cap . . .

Agaricus (My.) purus . . . .

45

52

Mealy Parasol . .

Agaricus (Lep.) granulosus . .

39

48

.^.8

Medusa's Head . .

Hydnum caput-meduSEe . . .

148

86

236

INDEX.

. ..^

1— I

d

M

■*4 'ti

-S^'

O-g

a>

0.0-

rtH

^S

Vulgar Name.

Scientific Name.

(D d

to 03

boos

.S-3

tccS

P"

c3Jd

O o

cSj3

5«-.

ajq

^ o

PhO

?5rt

CLiO

;z;o

Ph:j

Melon-lood . . •

Hygrophorus pratensis . . .

98

2,31

Milky-cap. . • .

llussula lactea

127

32

Mitred Helvel . .

Helvella lacunosa

204

49

109

Modest Lactar . .

Lactarius quietus

104

39

Moss-gold. . . .

Clavaria muscoides

142

52

93

Mouse-hood . . .

Hygrophorus murinaceus . .

xxviii.

Mousserou . . .

Agaricus (Cli.) pruuulus . . .

23

49

34

Mulberry Jelly-

sprout ....

Tremella moriformis ....

187

113

Muscat

Agaricus (Tri.) albellus . . .

67

49

34

Nailcap

Agaricus (Col.) esculentus . .

25

52

Oaktongue . . .

Fistulina hepatica

174

46

80

194

Onion-stem . . .

Agaricus (Lep.) cepcestipes . .

34

58

194

Orange Bolet . .

Boletus versipellia

172

55

70

Orange Elfcup . .

Peziza aurantia

210

55

113

Orange Jelly-sprout

Tremella mesenterica ....

186

113

Orcelie

Agaricus (Cli.) orcella ....

22

49

2,31

Oread

Marasmius oreades

114

46

52

193

Oronge

Agaricus (Am.) CEesateus . . .

3

45

194

Ox Bolet ....

Boletus bovinus

157

70

Oyster of the Woods

Agaricus (Pleu.) ostreatus . .

55

51

114

Pasture Parasol . .

Agaricus (Lep.) procerus . . .

43

48

58

Pauther-cap . . .

Agaricus (Am.) pantherinua

iv.

153

Paxil

Paxillus involutus

119

51

60

Pear-shaped Puflball

Lycoperdon pyriforme . . .

196

45

116

Pegtop

Gomphidius glutinosus . .

91

GO

Peppery Lactar . .

Lactarius piperatus ....

103

39

Petal- sprout . . .

Agaricus (Pleu.) petaloides .

56

114

Pillar Puffball . .

Lycoperdon gemmatum . . .

193

45

116

Pill-sprout . . .

Panus stji^ticus

xxxvi.

Pine-tree Urchin .

Hydnum fragile

151

86

Pinky-cap ....

Agaricus (Ent.) sinuatus . , .

31

2,31

Prickly-cap . . .

Agaricus (Pho.) squarrosus . .

53

114

Primrose-milk . .

Lactarius theiogalus ....

106

39

Purple-cap . . .

Agaricus (Tri.) iouides . . .

76

2,31

Hat's paw ....

Clavaria cinerea

135

52

93

lied- crack Bolet

Boletus chrysenteron ....

159

54

70

Redmilk ....

Lactarius deliciosus . . . .

101

51

40

150

Rednail ....

Agaricus (Col.) clavug ....

24

52

Red Pratello . . .

Agaricus (Psa.) rufescens. . .

64

45

2,31

Kedshank Bolet . .

Boletus calopus

xliii.

Bed Trufllo of Bath

Melanogaster variegatus . . .

189

123

Ked-tuft ....

Agaricus (Hyph.) sublateritius .

XV.

Red Urchin . . .

Hydnum rufescens

154

48

86

Repellaut ....

Agaricus (Heb.) fastibilis . . .

xi.

Rhubarb-stem . .

Gomphidius viscidus . . . .

92

60

RomanStump-sprout

Polyi)orus corylinus . . . .

175

114

195

Rootingshank . .

Agaricus (Col.) radicatus . . .

28

63

Rosy-cap ....

Russula lepida

128

32

Rough Aninnite . .

Agaricus (Am.) asper . . . .

1

44

Rough Bolet . . .

Boletus scaber

170

55

70

Ruby-cap ....

Russula vesca

129

32

Rufled-neck . . .

Agaricus (Pho.) capistratus . .

47

114

INDEX.

237

Vulgar Name.

St. George .
Sanguine-cap
Satjr's-beard.
Scaly-top . .
Scaly Urcbiu.
Scarlet Flycap
Scarlet-hood .
Scented Bolet
Scented Elfcup
Scented Parasol,
Shaggy PrateUe
Sheep-hood .
Short Parasol
Sickener . .
Sickener's Sister
Silky Parasol
Silky Volvar .
Skull-cap . .
Slayer . . .
Slender Parasol
Slit-cap • .
Smoke-cap
Smoky Lactar
Snailshell. .
Snake in the Grass
Snowdrop.
Sorceress .
Sparassis .
Specious Volvar,

Spindleshank
Spotty-leg Bolet ,

Spotty -sprout

Sprinkled Bolet

Stinger . .

Stinker . .

Stinkhorn. .

Striped Stump-flap

Striped Volvar

Stumptuft

Sulphur-clump

Sulphur-tuft .

Summer Bolet

Summer Truffle,

Sweet-cap .

Sweet-Milk

Tall Amanite

Tall Morel

Tall Pufiball

Tan-cap .

Tawny-tuft

Thimblefinqer

Tiger-tuft.

Turnover •

Scientific Name.

o-g

6^

Agaricus (Tri.) gambosus
Kussula sanguinea ....
Hydnum erinaceus ....
Agaricus (Lep.) acutesquamosus
Hydnum imbricatum . . .
Agaricus (Am.) muscarius .
Hygrophorus coccineus . .
Boletus fragrans ....

Peziza venosa

Agaricus (Lep.) clypeolarius.
Agaricus (Psa.) villaticus
Hygrophorus ovinus . . .
Agaricus (Lep.) naucinus

Russula emetica

llussula fragilis

Agaricus (Lep.) holosericeus
Agaricus (Vol.) bombycinus .
Agaricus (Stro.) semiglobatus

Lactarius ruf us

Agaricus (Lep.) gracilentus .
Agaricus (Heb.) rimosus . .
Agaricus (CI.) fumosus . .
Lactarius fuliginosus . . .
Peziza cochleata ....
Agaricus (Heb.) crustuliniformis
Hygrophorus niveus . . .
Agaricus (Am.) mappa . .

Sparassis crispa

Agaricus (Vol.) speciosua

Agaricus (Col.) fusipes . .

Boletus erythropus ....

Agaricus (Pleu.) dryinus . .

Boletus granulatus ....

Marasmius urens ....

Agaricus (Tri.) spermaticus .

Phallus impudicus ....

Polyporus versicolor . . .

Agaricus (Vol.) volvaceus . .

Agaricus (Arm.) melleus . .

Polyporus sulf ureus . . .

Agaricus (Hyph.j fascicularis

Boletus Etstivalis ....

Tuber sestivum

Agaricus (CI.) odorus . . .

Lactarius subdnlcis . . .

Agaricus (Am.) excelsus . .

Morchella semilibera . . .

Lycoperdon saccatum . . .

Agaricus (CI.) iufundibuliformi

Agaricus (Pho.) spectabilis .

Verpa digitaliformis . . .

Lentinus tigrinus ....

Agaricus (Tri.) pessundatus .

<r> d,
tcci

C3.C

71

150

33

152

94
165
217
36
65
97
42

40
80

38

14
212

96
146

26

54
166

49

7
181

155

220

21

105

2GB

197

17

52

219

110

78

48
45

48

48

48

55
51

47

O O

50

54
55

48
45

(D a,

tod

03 J3

34

86
58
86

52

70
113

58
2,31
2,31

58

58
44

58

2,31

113

52

93

65

114
70

19S

63
115

70

123

52

39

98

116

•2,31

114

113

34

2,31

Sets

xli.

111.

XSXVll.

xxxviii.

XXI.

xxxii.

xii.

xxix.

X.

ii.

XXV.

xliv.

XXXV.

xxii.
li.

xlix.
sxvi.

154

155
155

156

xui.

191

153

153

238

INDEX.

Vulgar Kamo.

Urchin of the Wood
Verdette ....

Virgin

Water-skin . . .
Warty Earthball .
Waxy-hood . . .
Wbeat-cap . . .
White-cap . . .
White Coral-tuft .
White Giant . . .
White Giant . . .
White Pratelle . .
Willow-sprout . .
Winter Truffle . .
Wood Blewit . .
Wood Pratelle . .
Woolly WhiteLactar
Wrinkle-twig . .
Yellow Bolet . . ,
Yellow-crack Bolet -
Yellow Jelly-sprout
Yellow Reptile . ,
Yellow-twig . . ,

Scientific Name.

Hyduum repandum . .
Russula virescens . . .
Hygrophorus virgineu8 .
Agaricus (Ent.) rhodopolius
Scleroderma verrucosum .
Hygrophorus ceraecus . .
Agaricus (Ent.) frumentaceu
Agaricus (CI.) cerussatus .
Clavaria coralloides . .
Agaricus (CI.) giganteus .
Agaricus (CI.) maximus .
Agaricus (Psa.) campestris
Agaricus (Pleu.) salignus .
Tuber brumale ....
Lepista nuda ....
Agaricus (Psa.) sylvaticus
Lactarius vellereus. . .
Calvaria rugosa ....
Boletus flavus ....
Boletus subtomentosus .
Tremella lutescens . . .
Agaricus (Tri.) sulfureus .
Clavaria fastigiata . . .

X

il

1— )
CL,0

"3

(M P.

86

153

48

130

52

32

99

51

2,31

30

2,31

93

58

29

2,31

10

2,31

136

52

93

16

34

19

34

60

45

2,31

57

114

221

55

123

111

46

56

144

52

93

164

70

171

54

70

185

113

138

52

93

o p.
tc 5!

O o

a-
1*3

193

188
191

lii.

gi-H
o a,

150

XIX.

xxxiii.

xxm.

THE ILLUSTRATIONS.

It is hoped that the Figures given will help to elucidate the text,
and will assist beginners in mastering the details of structure and
classification.

It has been found practicable to advance somewhat beyond the
limits laid down in the body of this woi'k, and to illustrate, by
means of typical species, the vast majority of the Genera of Fungi
found in the British Isles. Unavoidable omissions there are, but
they are neither numerous nor important.

Appended is a set of tables illustrating the essential structural
points on which the Subgenera of Agaricus have been founded.

PLATE I.

AGAKICINI.

FIG.

1. Agaricus (Lepiota) procerus,

(reduced.)

2. Agaricus (Pleurotus) applinatus,
{on a twig, nali^ral size.)

3. Agaricus (Armillaria) melleus,
(reduced.)

4. Marasmius oreades,
{natural size, in dry weather.)

5. Coprinus fuscesceus,
{rediieed; spores magnified.)

0. Coprinus micaceus,
{reduced.)

PLATE I.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 1.

FiK. 5.

Fig 6.

PLATE II.

AGARICINI.

FIG.

1. Cortinarius (Phlegmaeium) fulgens,
{reduced; spores magnified.)

2. Cortinarius (Myxacium) colliaitus,
(reduced; spores magnified.)

3. Cortinarius (Inoloma) callisteus,
{reduced; spores m.agnified.)

4. Cortinarius (Telamonia) hinnuleus,
{redxuied; spores magnified.)

5. Cortinarius (Dermocybe) cinnamomeus,
{reduced; spores magnified.)

G. Cortinarius (Hygrocybe) leucopus,
(reduced; spores magnified.)

PLATE II.

Fig. 2.

Fig- 1.

1 7r^

Fig- 4.

^^ [=21

Fig. 3.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 6.

PLATE III.

AGAEICINI.

FIG.

1. Bolbitius fragilis,
(reduced; spores magnified.)

2. Paxillus involutus,

{reduced ; spores mngnified.)

3. Lepista nuda,
{reduced; spores magnified.)

4. Hygrophorus conicus,

{reduced; spores magnified.)

C). Gomphidius glutinosus,

( reduced ; spores magnified. )

PLATE III.

Fig. 1.

od^

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4,

Fig. 5.

PLATE IV.

AGARICINI.
riG.

1. Lactarius zonarius,

(reduced; section and magnified spores.

2. Eussula rosacea,
(reduced; Kith magnified spores.)

3. Cantharellus cinereus,
(reduced; -with moijuified spores.)

4. Nyctalis asterophora,

{natural size ; on dead Russula reduced ;
1, enlarged; 2, 3, spores magnified.)

5. Marasmius peronatus,
(reduced ; with magnified spores.)

C. Lentinus tigrinus,

{reduced; with magn>fiad spores.)

PLATE IV.

Fig. 2.

FiR. 3.

Fig. 4.

fig- 6.

PLATE V.

AGARICINI.

FIO.

1. Panus torulosus,

(reduced; section and magnified spores.)

2. Xerotus degener,

(natural size.)

3. Lenzites betulina,
(reduced; spores magnified.

4. Trogia crispa,

(natural size; sjiorcs magnified.

5. Schizophyllura commune,
(natural size; s-pnrcs and gills enlarged.)

PLATE Y

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

PLATE VI.

POLYPOREI.

TIG.

1. Boletus purpureus,
{reduced; spores magnified.)

2. Btrobilomyces strobilaceus,
(reduced; spore magnifiod.)

3. Polyporus giganteus,
(reduced; spores magnified.)

4. Polyporus sulfureus,

[reduced.)

5. Trametes gibbosa,
{reduced.)

6. Traraetes gibbosa,

(reduced section; spores magnified.)

PLATE VJ.

Fi-'. 1.

Fi". 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

•'/'' Wj;4''«/''''''>W

Fig. 5.

Fig. 6.

PLATE VII.

POLYPOREI.

FIG.

1. Merulius lacrymans,
{reduced; spores magnified.)

2. Fistulina hepatica,

(reduced; tubes and spores magnified.)

3. Porothelium Friesii,
{reduced; spores magnified.)

4.. Da;dalea quercina,

{reduced; with section and magnified spores.)

PLATE VII.

Fig. 1-

Fig. 3.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 4.

PLATE VIII.

HYDNEI.

FIG.

1. Sistotrema confluens,
(reduced; spores magnified.)

2. Irpex obliquus,

{teeth and spores magnified.)

3. Radulum quercinum,
(spores magnified.)

4. Hydnum repandum,
(reduced; spores magnified.)

5. Phlebia merismoides,
(reduced; spores magnified.)

G. Graudiuia granulosa,

{spores magnified.)
7. Odontia fimbriata,

(spores magnified.)

PLATE VIII.

',»:•• ■-ST,

M

c.-fis

Fi-. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

oO
o

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

^ji'^-oi-'ms^,

Fig. 6.

Fig. 7.

PLATE IX.

AURICULARINI.

FIG.

1. Kiieiffia setigera,
(sj)oi'cs mfTfinijicd.)

2. Cratercllus cornucopiokTes,
(reduced; vith ninrjnijicd spore.)

3. Stereiam birsutum,
(reduced; spores magnified.)

4. Thelepliora laciniata,
(reduced; spore mmjnijicd.)

5. Hymenocba3te rubiginosa,
(spores iiiagnified.)

PLATE IX.

s:?^

rig. 1.

Fi". 2.

Fig. 3.

FiK. i.

Fig. 5.

PLATE X.

AURICULARINI.

FIG.

1. Auricularia mesenterica,

{reduced; spores magnified.)

2. Corticium nudum,
(spores magnified.)

3. Cyphella muscigena,

(natural size; a, cvps enlarged; spores magnified.)

4. Solenia Candida,
{natural size, and magnified.)

PLATE X.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

0 O

Fig. 4.

Fig. 3.

PLA.TE XI.

CLAVARIEI,

riG.

1. Sparassis crispa,

(reduced ; u-lth section nnd magnified spores.]

2. Clavavia abietina,
{natural size.)

3. Clavaria fusiformis.
(small specimen.)

4. Clavaria teuuipes,
(natural size.)

Z). Calocera viscosa,

(iiatiiral .^ize ; spores magnified.)

6. Typhula erythropus,

(>i'i(ural size; spores mdijnified )

7. Pistillaria quisquilaris,
(natural size, and enlarged.)

PLATE XI.

FiK. 1.

FiR. 2,

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

Fig.

Fig. 6.

Fig. 7.

PLATE XII.

TREMELLINI.

FIO.

1. Exidia glandulosa,

(spores rangnijied.)

2. Hirneola auricula-judac,
(spore magnified.)

3. Dacj-ymyces sebaceus,
{natural size; a ami b mngnified.)

4. Tremella mesenterica,

{filament and spores magnified.)

5. Exidia recisa,

{natural fize.)

6. Apyrenium lignatile,

{nalxu-al size, and magnifitd.)

7. Na^matelia encepliala,

{natural size; spores magnified.)

8. Ditiola radicata,
(;iafura! size.)

PLATE XII.

■^:-- -I

%vi/:v/:' J

Fig. 1.

Fis. 5.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. C.

Fig. 7.

Fig 8.

PLATE XIII.

HYPOGiEI.

•IG.

1. Octaviana asterosperma,

(sjioivs magnified.)

2. Hydnangium carotrecolor,
(spores magnified.)

3. Kbizopogon rubescens,

(natural size.)

4. Melanogaster ambiguus,
(section enlarged.)

5. Hymenogaster tenor,
(natural size ; with section.)

G. Hymenogaster vulgaris,
(spores magnified.)

PLATE XIII.

Fig. 2.

Fis. 1.

Fig. 3,

Fig, 4,

Fig. 5.

Fig. G.

PLATE XIV.

PHALLOIDEI.

FIG.

1. Cynophallus caninus,
(reduced.)

2. Phallus impudicus,

[reduced.)

3. Clatbrus cancellatus,
(reduced.)

TRICHOGASTRES.

•1. Batarrea phalloidep,

(reduced.)
0. Geaster lageniformis,

(rudnrcd.)

0. Tulostoma mammosum,
(in(i<ivi! size.)

PLATE XIV.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 6.

PLATE XV.

TRICHOGASTRES.

FIG.

1. Bovista plumbea,

(natural size; section and miKjnified spores.)

2. Lycoperdon pyriforme,

{reduced; n-ith section.)

3. Cenococcum geophilum,
(natural size, and section.)

4. Scleroderma vulgare,

{with section and inngn'Jied sjiorc.)

5. Polysaccum olivaccum.

PLATE XV.

Fig. 1.

Tig. 3.

Kg. 2.

-t'lg. .i;.

PLATE XVI.

MYXOGASTRES.

FIG.

1. Lycogala eijidendrum.

2. Eeticularia umbrina,

(with •magnified spores.)

3. ^thalium septicum.

4. Ptychogaster albus,
{icilh magnified spores.)

5. Diderma vernicosum,

(cluster iiataral d:x, peridiam magnified.)

PLATE XVI.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3;

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

PLATE XVII.

MYXOGASTRES.

IIO.

1. Didymium faiinaceum.

2. Did^yniiura xaatliopus.

3. Physarum nutans,
(natural size, and enlarged,.)

4t. Augioriclium siuuosum.

5. Badhamia pallida,

(natural size ; spores and laminj;.)

6. Ci'aterium pedunculatum,
(natural size, and magnified.)

PLATE XVII.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fis. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 6.

PLATE XVIII.

MYXOGASTRES.

FIG.

1. Diachsea elegans.
(enlarged.)

2. Ophiotheca chrysosperma,

{with filaments magnified.)

3. Dictydium umbilicatutn,
(natural size, and enlarged.)

4. Eneitheuema elegans,

(thread and spores magnified.)

5. Cribraria intiicata.

PLATE XVIII.

Fig. 1.

Fig. .3.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

PLATE XIX.

MYXOGASTRES.

FIG.

1. Arcyria inrarnata,

{with thread and spore magnified.)

2. Trichia chrysosperma.

3. Trichia chrysosperma,

(threads and spores magnified.)

4. Phelouitis strobilina.

5. Perichajua populiua,
(natural size, and magnified.)

G. Licea fragiformis.

PLATE XIX.

Fig. 2.

Fipr. 1.

Fig. 4.

Fis. 3.

>lf».r%S»'>

Fig.

Fig. 6.

PLATE XX.

NIDULARIACEI.

FIG.

1. Nidnlaria pisiformis.

2. Sphffirobolus stellatus.

3. Polyangium vitellinnm,
{natural size, and magnified.)

4. Tbelebolus terrestris.

PLATE XX.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fi2. 3.

FiK. 1.

PLA.TE XXI.

sfh5:ronemei.

T\r..

1. Coniotliyrium glomeratum.

2. Lcptostroma caricinum.

3. riioma samarorum,
(nicignified.)

4. Actlnothyrium gramiuis.
6. Cryptospoiium caricis.

fi. Sphffiionema subulatum.

PLATE XXT.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

3
-v*^

Fig. 3.

Fig. i.

W^

Fig. 5.

Fig. 6.

PLATE XXII.

SPH^IRONEMEI.

PIG.

1. Sphneropsis atrovirens.

2. Diplodia vul;,'aris.

3. Hendcrsonia corni.

4. Dilophospora gramiuis,

(spores mnonijic'l.)

5. Darluca filum.

G. Vermicularia trichella.

PLATE XXII.

M.

a

Fig- 1-

c8!'

vV/

Fig. 2.

^

aXP

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 6.

PLA.TE XXni.

SPH^RONEMEI.

FIG.

1. Discosia aluca.

2. rilidiiini acerinum.
'6. Melasmia alnca.

4. Piggotia astroidea.
i). Septoria iilini.
fi. Ascochyta jiisi.

PLATE XXIII.

VcC^^'

Fig. 1.

^■S-

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

hX

JZh

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

Fig. «.

PLATE XXIV.

SPH^IRONEMEI.
riG.

1. Cystotriclia striola.

2. Neottiospora caricum.

3. Excipula strigosa.

4. Dineniasporium gramiuum.

5. Myxoruiia atro-viridis.

6. Prosthemiam stellure.

PLATE XXIV.

Fig. 1.

^//

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. i.

Fig. 5.

Fig. G.

U

PLATE XXV.

sph5:eonemei.

FIG.

1. a, Asteroma ros£E.
h, Asteroma padi.

2. Ceutliospora lauri.

'6. Eriospora leucostoma.

4. Discella desmazierii.

MELANCONIEI.

5. Melanconium bicolor.

6. Stegouosporium cellulosum.

7. Stilbospora augustata.

PLATE XXV.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 6.

PLATE XXVI.

MELANCONIEI.

TTG.

1. Asterosporium Hoffmanni.

2. Coryneum umbonatum.

3. Pestalozzia guei^iui.

4. Glffiosporium fructigenum.

5. Clieirospoia botryospora.

PLATE XXVI.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

^ifjS^

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

PLATE XXVII.

TORULACEI.

FIO.

1. Spcira toruloides.

2. Bactridium flavum.

3. Helicosporium vegetum.

4. Bispora monilioides.

5. Septonema spilomeum.

6. Sporidesmium polymorplium.

PLATE XXyil.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 3.

Fix. 4.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 0.

PLATE XXVIII.

TORULACEI.

FIG.

1. Dictyosporium elegans.

2. Sporochisma ruirabile.

3. Tetraploa aristata.

4. Acalyptospora nervisequia.

5. Gymiiosporium arundinis.
G. Echinobotryum atrum.

Fig. 1.

PLATE XXVIII.

Fig. 3.

Fig- 2.

<sA\y

\/

,V^~

-^b

Fig. 4.

.©

Fig. 5.

Fig. G.

PLATE XXIX.

PUCCINI^I.

FIO.

1. Xcnodoclnis carbonarius,
{sporo magnified.)

2. Tripliragmium ulmaria),
(sjiorcs magnified.)

3. Phragmidinm bulbosiim.

4. Gymnosporangium jnuiperi.

5. Podisoma juniperi.

Fig. 1.

PLATE XXIX.

Fig. 2.

Fif?. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

PLATE XXX.

USTILAGINEI.

FIG.

1. Tilletia caries.

2. Ustilago maydis,
(spores magnified.)

3. Thecapliora byalina.

■4. Tuburcinia scabies,

(spores magnified.) ,
5. Uiocystis occulta.

C<«;OMACEI.

0. Melampsora betuliua,

(winter spores, magnified.)

7. Melampsora salicina,
(u'i)ifc/- spores, magnified.)

8. Coleosporium tussilagiuis.

PLATE XXX.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

rig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fi^

Fig. 0.

PLATE XXXI.

C^IOMACEI.

FIG.

1. Cystopus cubicus.

2. Cystopus Candidas,
{oonidia and oospore.)

.ECIDIACEI.

'd. Roestelia cornuta,

(enlarged.)
4. Peridermium pini,

(natural size, and magnijicd.)

PLATE XXXI.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

i'ig. i.

TLATE XXXII.

-aiCIDIACEI.
riG

1. Graphiola pbccnicis.

ISARIACEI.

2. Anthina flammea.

3. Paclinocybe subulata.

4. Ccratium hyduoides.

PLATE XXXII.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

PLATE XXXIII.

STILBACEI.

FIG.

1. Stilbum vulgare.

2. Atractium flammeum.

3. Microcera coccopbila.

4. Volutella setosa.

5. Tubercularia granulata,
(natural size, and section magnified.)

G. Fusarium lieterouema.

PLATE XXXIII.

Fi'A. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

Fit;. 6.

PLATE XXXIV.

STILBACEI.

FIG.

1. Myrothecium roriJum.

2. Epicoccum ueglectuin.

3. lUosporium roseum.

4. iEgerita Candida.

DEMATIEI.

o. Aitbrobotryum atrum.
G. Deudryphiuui cuitum.

PLATE XXXIV.

Fig. 3.

Fig 4.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 6.

PLATE XXXV.

DEMATIEI,
no.

1. Periconia f;liuicocephala.

2. ffidoecpbalum la^ticolor.
H. Sporocybo iiigrella.

4. Stachybotrys atra.

5. Ilaplographium delicatum.
C. Mouotospora megalospora.

PLATE XXXV.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fi". 5.

Fig. 6.

PLATE XXXVI.

DEMATIEI..

FIG.

1. Cephalotrichum curtum.

2. ffiileiuiuni atrum.

3. Helmiuthosporiiira oosi^orum.

4. Macrosjiorium concinnum.

5. Mystrosporium stemphyliutn.
C. Acrothecium simplex.

PLATE XXXVI.

Fig. 1.

Fi-. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

Fig. G.

PLATE XXXVII.

DEMATIEI.

FIG.

1. Septosporium bulbotrichum,
{magnified.)

2. Triposporium elegans,
(flncci and apores, magnified.)

3. Helicoma mulleri.

4. Helicocoryne viridis.

5. Cladotrichum triseptatum.

6. Polytlirincium trifolii.

PLATE XXXVII.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 6.

PLATE XXXVIII.

DEMATIEI.

FIG.

1. Cladosporium herbarum.

2. Arthrinium sporophlfcum.

3. Gonatosporium puccinioiJes.

4. Camptoum curvatum.

5. Sporodnm conoplcoides.

PLATE XXXVIII.

Fig. 1.

§

^

I'ig. 2.

Fi«. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

PLATE XXXIX.

MUCEDINES.

FIG.

1. Nematogonum aurantiacum.

2. Rhinotriclium lanosum.

3. Botrytis citriua.

4. Peronospora infestans.

5. Verticillium apicale.

6. Haplaria grisea.

7. Acrospeira mirabilis.

PLATE XXXIX.

FiK. 2.

Fig ].

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 6.

Fig. 7.

PLATE XL.

MUCEDINES.

FIG.

1. Polyactis vulgaris.

2. Ouliuin fulvum.

3. Monilia fasciculata.

4. Penicillium chaitarum.

5. Stysanus stemonitis.

PLATE XL.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 5.

PLATE XLI.

MUCEDINES.

FIG.

1. Dactylium spbaerocephalum.

2. Fusidium griseum.

3. Cyliudrium septatum.

4. Spoiotiiclmm sulfureuin.

5. Zjgodesmus fuscus.

6. Vir{:aria nigra.

PLATE XLI.

Pig 1.

^|)^V^

J^'ig. 2.

Fi-. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. o.

Fig. G.

PLATE XLII.

MUCEDINES.

FIG.

1. Bolacotricha grisea.

2. Gonytrichum fuscum.

3. Myxotriclium cliaitarum.

4. Mcnispora lucida.

5. Cha;topsis waucbii.

6. a. Acremonium alternatum.
h. Acremonium verticillatmn.

PLATE XLII.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

M

r

Fi". 4.

£^-e.

F'g. 6.

Fig. 5.

PLATE XLIII.

MUCEDINES.

FIG.

1. Gonatobotiys simplex.

'2. Clonostacbys araucaria.

;3. Botryosporiiim pulcbrum.

4. Ehopalomjces caudidus.

5. Papulaspora sepedonioides.

PLATE XLTTT.

Fig. 1.

1' iK. 2.

Fis. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fi-. r,.

PLATE XLII.

MUCEDINES.

FIG.

1. Bolacotricha grisea.

2. Gonytrichnm fuscum.

3. Myxotriclium chartarum.

4. Menispora lucida.

5. Chffitopsis waucbii.

C. a. Acremonium alternatum.
h. Acremonium verticillatum.

PLATE XLII.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

£^fi

Fig. 6.

Fig. 5.

PLATE XLIII.

MUCEDINES.

PIG,

1. Gonatobotiys simijlex.

2. Clonostacbys araucaria.
a. Botryosporium pulebruni.

4. Ehopaloniyoes Candidas.

5. Papulaspora sepedonioides.

PLATE XLTTT.

Fi". 1.

Fi". 3.

Fig. 4.

Fi«. n.

PLATE XLIV.

SEPEDONIEI.

FIG.

1. SepedoBium chrysospermum.

2. Fusisporium insidiosum,
(tuft magnified.)

3. Epochnium macrosporoideum.

4. Psilonia gilva.

TRICEODERMACEI.

5. Pilacre faginea.

G. Arthroderma Curreyi.

Fig. 1.

PLATE XLIV.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 5.

Fig. G.

PLATE XLV.

ANTENNARIEI.

FIG.

1. Autennaria semiovata.

MUCORINI.

2. Ascophora mucedo.

3. Pilobolus roridus,

{magnified.)

4. Hydrophora stercorea.

5. Mucoi' cauinus.

Fig. 1.

PLATE XLV.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

i:iu.r,

PLATE XLVI.

MUCORINI.

Flf3.

1. Endo(3romia vitrea.

2. Sporodinia dichotoma.

3. ^yzygitea megalocarpus.

4. Acrostalagmus ciunabarinus,
{magnified.)

5. Endogone pisiformis.

6. Helicostylum elegans.

PLATE XLVI.

./^

n

Fig. 1.

Fig.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

PLATE XLVII.

ONYGENEI.

1. Onygena equina.

PERISPOKIACEI.

2. Perisporium vulgare.

3. Lasiobotrys loniceraj,

(a, natural size ; b, tuft enlarged; c, pcrilhecia magnified.

4. Sphifirotheca castagnei,
{conceptacle magnified.)

5. Phyllactinia guttata,
{conceptacle magnified 300 (iiam.)

6. Uncinula adunca,
{conceptacle magnified.)

PLATE XL VI I.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

Fig. (i.

PLATE XLVIII.

PERISPORIACEI.

FIG.

1. Miciosphaeria Hedwigii,
(conccptacle magnified.)

2. Erysiphe lamprocarpa,
{co»(Cei)tacIc and .sporangium magnified.)

3. Chaetomium chartarum,
(perilhectum aiidfree spore magnified.)

4. Ascotiiclia chartarum.

5. Podosphsra Kuuzei.

I'J-ATE XLVni

Fig. 1.

Fig. 3.

Fig. i.

§Mj

PLATE XLIX.

ELVELLACEI.

FIG.

1. Gyn)iiiitia csculenta,

(reduced, with section ; asons and sponJiia mxjii'jidd.)

2. Ilelvella elastica,

(reduced, xcith section; ascus and aporidia mngnificd.)

3. Morcliella csculenta,

(reduced, wiili section; ascus and sporidia m'Kjnificd.)

4. Verpa digitaliformis,

{reduced, •u-il/i section; ascus and sporidia maijnificd.)

5. Leotia lubrica.

6. I'eziza acetabulum.

7. Uulgaria inquinaus.

PLATE XLIX.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

K!

fTn^,.^.<^

Fjg. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

Fi^'. 0.

Fig. 7.

PLATE L.

TUBERACEI. ' rj 1 U ^

FIG.

1. Tuber ffistivum,
(sporidium.)

2. Tuber brumalo,
(iporid'miii.)

3. Choiromyces meandriformis,
(sporidium.)

4. Amylocarpus encephuloides,
(aacus and sporidia.)

5. Pachypblocus melunoxantbus,

(j-ecfi'o/i and sporidium.)

0. StepLensia bonibyciua,
(section.)

7. Steplieiisia bonibyciua,
{sporidium.)

Fig. 1.

PLATE L.

Kg. 2.

^1
Fig. 3

r^

Fig. r,.

Fig. 6.

Fig. 7.

riATxT I.I.

TUBERACEI

nn.

1. Ilydnotiya 'I'u'usnii,
{siction and sporidiuiii.)

2. Hydnobolitcs cerebri furmis,
(section and sporidium.)

;i. Sphasrosoma ostiolatnm.

4. Balsaiuia platispora.

5. Genea -verrucosa.

6. ElajiliomyccK granulntiis.

7. Ditto, sjynridiuiii.

. 'c^u^^f^J

PLATE LT.

Fi-. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

F'g. 4.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 0.

TLATE LTI.

PHACIDIACEI.
no.

1. lUiytisma salicinum.

2. Triblidium caliciiformc.
S. Hjsterinm fraxini.

4. Sporomega cladophila.

PLATE LII.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 1.

PLATE LIII.

PHACIDIACEI.

FIG.

1. Colpoma quercinum.

2. Ailographum maculare.

3. Aetidium hysterioides.

4. Lophium mytilinum.

PLATE LIU.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Pr,ATE LIV.
SPH^RIACEI.

FIO.

1. Epichloo typhina.

2. Hypocrea rufa.

3. Hyponiyces ochracous.

4. Oomyccs carneo-albns.

PLATE LIV.

Fig. 1.

i-^ig. 2.

-U—

l-'ig. 3.

l''i^'. 1.

PLATE LV.

SPHJERIACEI.
riG.

1. Ncctria cinnabarina.

2. Porouia puuctata.

3. Xylaria polymorpba.

i. Thamiiomj'ces bippotrichioides.

5. Ustulina vulgaris.

G. Ilypoxylou coccineiim.

7. Niimmularia BuUiardi.

PLATE LV.

■/.

- '

i/

i'ig. 1.

Fig. 2.

■ajwm !U„Ji

Fig. 3.

Fig. i.

Fig. 5.

Fig. G.

Fig. 7.

PLATE LVI.

SPH^IEIACEI.

I'IG.

1. Eutypa Acbani.

2. Melogramma Bulliardi.

3. Polystigma rubrum.

4. Dothidea ribesia.
o. Diatrype querciua.

G. Melanconis stilbostoiua.

PLATE LVI.

f|if?#'"««>

Fis. 1.

rig. 2.

Fig. 3.

. . .-^,;

r^

riJ. G.

A A

TLATE LVII.

SPH^EIACEI.

FIG.

1. Valsa ceratophora.

2. Cucurbitaria laburiii.

3. Gibbera vaccinii.

4. Massaria eburnea.

o. Lophiostoma sex-nucleata.
C. Sph&ria aquila.

PLATE LVIl.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

F.g. a.

Fig. '>.

PLATE LVIII.

SPH^RIACEI.

riP.

1. Spljferia bovilla.

2. SphaBria ampuUasca.

3. Sphseria ulnaspora.

4. Sphaarella maculseformis.

5. Venturia ilicifolia.

6. PyrenopLora phaeocomcs.

7. Ceratostoma caprinum.

PLATE LVJir.

Fig. 2.

Fis. 1.

Fi" n

Fig. 5.

Fig. fi.

Fig. 7.

PLATE LIX.

SPH^RIACEI.

FIG.

1. Orbicula cyclospora.

2. MicrotLyrium microscopicum.

3. Stigmatea Kobertiani.

4. Hypospila quercina.

5. Isotbea rhytismoides,
fi. Capnodium elongatum.
7. DichsBiia strobilina.

PLATE LIX

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

/

h^

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 7.

Fig. 6.

-^>:J'ABLES OF AGARICUS. -<<r

^. ^-^^p.^ Explanatory Key.

The thirty-four Subgenera o£ Agaricus are lUvidcd into five scries,
to eacli of which a table is here assigned. These series are ai'-
ranged according to the colour of the Spores. Table I. presents
types of the Subgenera in which the spores are white ; Table 11.
shows those in which the spores are pink, salmon, or rosy ; Table
III. shows those in which the spores are buff, clay-coloured, dull
or bright brown ; Table IV. shows those in which the spoi'cs arc
purple, brown or black with a purple tinge ; Table V. shows those
in which the spores are dead black.

Each series is further arranged in three groups, founded on tlie
following distinctions : —

In Group 1, the Hymenophore is distinct from the fleshy stem.

In Group 2, the Hymenophore is confluent and homogeneous
with the fleshy stem.

In Group 3, the Hymenophore is confluent with, but hetero-
geneous fi^om, the cartilaginous stem.

The three groups are spaced out with blanks, and are similai-ly
arranged in each of the five tables, so as to show the corresponding
subgenera in the several series. Thus Amanita will be seen ti>
correspond with Volvaria, but analogues to tliese subgenera are
not found in the remaining series.

The figures are drawn from sections of the fungi, in most nisos
reduced below the natural size. The spores shown are from highly
magnified specimens.

Lettering has been introduced to aid students in understanding
certain structural points.

The tables are arranged according to the construefion of .Mr.
Worthington G. Smith, and the di-awings ai-e af(cr his ni-iginiil
design.s, as adopted by Mr. M. C. Cooke.

N.B. — Beginners are warned to dil1x>rentiate first between iho
genus Agaricus and the other genera of the order Agaricini.

TABLE I.

SUBGENEEA. OF AGAEICUS ; SERIES I.

Leuco?porL

SPORES WHITE.

Group 1. Hymenophore distinct from the fleshy stem.

1. Amanita, Section of A. muscarius. B. Warts on pileus. D. Annulu?, or

ring. C. Volva.

2. Lepiota. Section of A. procerus. A. Remote gills. E. Point of junction

between distinct stem and pileus. F. Scales on cuticle.
L. Flesh of pileus.

Group 2. Hymenophore confluent and homogeneous with the fleshy stein.

3. Armillaria. Section oi A. melleus. G. Flocci on pileus.

4. Tricholoma. Section of A. terreus. H. Sinuate or emarginate gills.

0. Umbonate expanded pileus.

5. Clitocybe. Section of A. geotropus. P. Infundibuliform and umbonate

pileus. J. Spore of variety suhiuvolutus.

6. Pleurotus. Section of A. spongiosus.

Group 3. Hymenophore confluent with, but heterogeneous from, the

cartilaginous stem.

7. CoUybia. Q. Section oi A. fusipf:'i,i'ar. adematopus. Small fig. J. mac/iZatus.

8. Mycena. Section ol A. poly grammus.
0. Omphalia. Section ot A. fibula.

TABLE I.

Group 1.

Grovp 2.

3.7^RMILLHR1H.

4.TRiCH0L0/AR

S.CLITOCYBe

6. PLGUROTUS

Group 3.

7. COLLYBIK.

S. MYCeN w

9. OMPH A Lr K

i

0
0 0

TABLE II.

SUBGENEEA OF AGAKICUS ; SERIES II.

Hyporliodii.

SPORES PINK.

Group 1. Hymenophore distinct from the flesby stem.

10. Volvaria. Section of A. lolvaceus. A. Young plant inclosed in volva.

G. Volva after expansion.

11. Chamseota. Section of A. xanthogrammus , an Italian species.

12. Pluteus. Section of A. cervinus.

Group 2. Hymenopliore confluent and homogeneous with the fleshy stem.

13. Entoloma. Section of A, siniiatits.

14. Clitopilus. Section oi A. prunuhis.

15. Claudopus. Section of A. eiiosnnis.

Group 3. Hymenophore confluent with, Lut heterogeneous from, the

cartilaginous stem.

16. leptonia. Large fig. .4. nicojnis. Small fig. /i. c7ia/?/fca;us.

17. Nolanea. Section of ^4. ^'ascxws.

18. Eccilia. Section of A. Farkensis.

TABLE ir.

Group 1.

Geotjp 2.

14. C LITO PILUS.

13. CNTOLOM A,

o

o

I5.CLHUD0PUS.

Gkoui' 3.

i6. uePTONiw.

^j

WC.S.ADNATor

17. NOLHNeW.

o

18 . ecciLi H.

o

I 00

TABLE III.

SUBGENERA OF AGAEICUS ; SERIES III.
Dermini.
SPORES BROWN.
7/ ^ ■ — — ^^ Group 1. Absent.

Group 2. Hymenopliore confluent and homogeneous with the fleshy stem.

19. Pholiota. Section of A. squarrosus.

20. Heljeloma. Section of /I. /asii^jlis.

21. Flammula. Section of A. sajnneus.

22. Crepidotus. Section of A. mollis.

Group 3. Hymenophore confluent with, but heterogeneous from, the

cartilaginous stem.

23. Naucoria. Section of A. semiorbicularis.

24. Galera. Section of A. tener.

25. Tubaria. Section of A. inquilinus.

TABLE III.

Group 1,

Group 2.

19. PHOLIOTK.

20. HeaeLOMR

(iNOCYBe)

21. FLKMMULR,

0

<:5

0

Ghoup 3.

25. TUBPCRIW.

TABLE IV.

SUBGENEEA OF AGAEICUS ; SEEIES IV.
Pratellce.
SPORES PURPLE.

Group 1. Hymenophore distinct from the fleshy stem.

20. Psalliota. Section of A. campestris.

27. Pilosace. Not British.

Group 2. Hymenophore confluent and homogeneous with the fleshy stem.

28. Stiopliaria. Section oi A. (sntginosus. A. Eounded adnate gills.

29. Hypholoma. Section of A. lacrymahundus. B. Veil fringing the margin.

Group 3. Hymenophore confluent with, but heterogeneous from, the

cartilaginous stem.

30. Psilocylie. Section of A. spadiceus.

31. Psathyra. Section of A. corrugis.

32. Deconica. Section of ^.^/i(/.saZoic/cs.

TABLE IV

Group 1.

—

26.

PSHLLIOTK.

27. PILOSACe.

NOT BRITISH.

•

y\

f^^C^^

-?«

Group 2.

2S. STROPHKRIK

A N

0

0

2?. HYPHOLOMH.

Group 3.

30. PSI LOG YB e.

TA

.0

WCS AONAT DEL

31. PSHTH VR H

32.Dec!ONICH.

^

B D

TABLE V.

SUBGENERA OF AGARICUS ; SERIES V.

Co2)iiiiarii.

SPORES BLACK.

Group 1. Absent.

Group 2. Hymeuophore confluent and liomogeneous witli tlie fleshy stem.
33. Panseolus. Section of A. se^aratus.

Group 3, Hymenophore confluent with, but heterogeneous fiom, the
cartilaginous stem.

31. Psathyrella. Section of A. disaeminatus.

TABLE V

Group 1.

-

Group 2.

33. PAN7E0LUS.

Group 3.