POISONOUS MUSHROOMS. 125 



LURID BOLETUS. 



Boletus luridus. 



(Plate XVIII. Fig. 2.) 



In all books and lists this is set down 

 as a poisonous species, and no one ever 

 seems to have doubted it until an American 

 correspondent wrote us that he had eaten 

 this and Boletus satanas, and found them 

 excellent. At present we are not disposed 

 to follow his example. The cap, or pileus, 

 is hemispherical, from three to six inches 

 in diameter, and dull umber brown, finely 

 velvety but rather viscid. The uuder 

 surface is porous, orange or red, and some- 

 times blood-red. The stem is thick, usually 

 rather short, more or less orange above, 

 and red or brown below, and either 

 sprinkled with dots or with a network of 

 delicate veins. The flesh is thick and firm, 

 changing immediately, when cut or bruised, 

 to indigo-blue in all parts except the base 

 of the stem, which is reddish. Fries says 



