Polyporaceae 



Boletus. Since 1882 the writer has given great attention to the edible qualities 

 of the Boleti. He is convinced by many personal tests and those made 

 by his family and friends, that much, if not all, of the suspicion thrown 

 about Boleti is unjust and erroneous. He is able to state positively that 

 change of color when bruised or broken ; bitter and pepperiness have 

 nothing whatever to do with the edible qualities of species exhibiting 

 them, excepting in B. felleus, which exhibits an intense bitter, not lost 

 in cooking. It is not poisonous. 



The writer has the courage of his convictions, and has taken interest 

 in eating species with a bad reputation whenever opportunity afforded, 

 that their just dues might be given them. He has never experienced 

 the slightest inconvenience. But others may not be so fortunate. 



Before cooking Boleti the stem, unless crisp and tender, should be 

 removed, as should the tubes unless young and fresh. They broil, fry, 

 stew, make good soups and dry well. See recipes. 



It is believed that all species of Boleti up to this time found in 

 America are described in this volume. When no remarks of the writer 

 follow the descriptions, he has not had an opportunity to test the edible 

 quality of the species. 



VlSClPELLES viscum, bird lime; pellfe, a skin. 



PileuS covered with a viscose pellicle. Stem solid, neither bulbous, 

 lacerated nor reticulated with veins. Tubes adnate, rarely sinuate, of 

 one color. 



The first four and several of the final species here described recede 

 somewhat from the character of the central or typical species of the 

 group. 



Stem with an annulus I 



Stem without an annulus 9 



I. Stem dotted both above and below the annulus 2 



I . Stem dotted above the annulus 3 



I . Stem not dotted 4 



2. Tubes salmon color B. salmonicolor 



2. Tubes yellowish B. subluteus 



3 . Annulus entirely viscose B. flavidus 



3. Annulus membranous, fugacious B. elegans 



3. Annulus membranous, persistent B. luteus 



406 



