A A TURE- S TUD Y NO TES 9 7 



As regards protein content, the mushrooms rank about the same as 

 potatoes, though they are decidedly inferior in food value, since they con- 

 tain much less carbohydrates. Xon-albuminoid nitrogen is thought to 

 have little food value. As will be seen, the mushrooms do not contain a 

 high percentage of nitrogen, and a considerable portion of the nitrogen 

 present is in the form of non-albuminoids. 



When it is remembered that mushrooms contain 75 to 92 per cent of 

 water, and that the total amount of protein present is comparatively 

 small, it will be seen that they correspond with fresh vegetables. Indeed 

 they are decidedly inferior to many vegetables. The expression "vege- 

 table beefsteak" seems peculiarly inappropriate when applied in a strictly 

 chemical sense. A person depending upon mushrooms to furnish the 

 amount of protein necessary in a day's diet would be compelled to con- 

 sume about 8 pounds, if the morel, a fair average species, were selected. 

 The carbohydrate content of mushrooms is relatively high, but there is no 

 lack of carbohydrate foods in the ordinary diet, and consequently, no 

 great need for this constituent of the mushrooms. 



Although mushrooms and other edible fungi can not be considered as 

 highly nutritious foods, they are undoubtedly useful condiments or food 

 accessories. They add to the palat ability of many food materials when 

 cooked with them, and may be served in many appetizing ways. Their 

 use can undoubtedly be extended by skillful growing and careful market- 

 ing. The principle edible fungus raised by market gardeners is the com- 

 mon field agaric (Agaricus campestris), and the term mushroom is generally 

 understood to mean this variety. 



Although the number of wild edible fungi is comparatively large, there 

 are many poisonous varieties, and too great care can not be exercised in 

 gathering fungi for food. 



Criminal Animals. In McClurc's Magazine (February) Dr. W. T. 

 Hornaday has an interesting article on this topic. The following criti- 

 cism from the New York Times, well expresses the doubts which many 

 psychologists must have concerning extremely human interpretations of 

 animal actions. 



"Mr. Hornaday has a curious theory to the effect that, just as men show 

 their real nature only when tried by adversity, so the mind of the animal 

 is revealed only in captivity, and those who have studied animals in the 

 wilds alone have no conception of their psychological possibilities. The 

 one proposition is probably as sound as the other, and neither needs serious 

 consideration. The point Mr. Hornaday tries to make is that, while 

 animals in a state of freedom are a virtuous lot, when prisoners they 

 develop a large capacity for what he calls crime, and he presents many 

 anecdotes in demonstration of his thesis. 



They are excellent stories, and of all exactness, no doubt, as to the exact 

 order of events in the several tragedies of cage and paddock, but Mr 

 Hornaday 's interpretation of the events is — well, rather desperately 

 anthropomorphic. He sees deep-laid and malignantly executed plots to 

 murder where others will see only the manifestations of chronic or acute 



