running a little down it ; the spores pale drab-colour. The stem is from two to three inches high, and halt' 

 an inch or an inch thick ( in which proportions it differs from most of the species, which generally have very 

 clumsy stems), it is smooth, firm, streaked with red, seldom quite straight, being scarcely ever solitary, but 

 growing in pairs or even threes, so as to force the stems out of the perpendicular. The Boletus san- 

 guineus of Withering, is only a peculiarly crimson state of this Fungus, forming a variety which may 

 mislead the inexperienced, (and indeed he considered it a novelty), but haraig no essential botanical 

 distinction, mere colour not being allowed to be such, since we talk of a white pink, and wliite roses, 

 as well as deep purple ones. The accidents of soil, exposure to sun, or want of it, cause svich differences 

 in the mere external appearance of all Boletuses, as are well calculated to try the powers of observation 

 possessed by the student. Sometimes in age they are completely over-run with another species of minute 

 Fungus, Sepidmiium chrij&ospermum, which veils the whole plant and penetrates to its very heart, converting 

 it into a mass of golden dust, tlds dust consisting entii-ely of spores ; similarly enveloped in a white 

 parasitic garb, an " old friend may present itseK in an entirely new dress "; indeed, dm-ing the past siunmer 

 and autumn, those of 1847, so rapid was the developement of aU Fungus gTowths, that it was rare to find 

 the Boletus tribe in perfection, they were water-soaked like full sponges, and rapidly became the prey of the 

 various Mucors, which attacked them ; to prepare such specimens for keeping was impossible, as they not 

 only contained a most miusual quantity of Immichty, but abounded in weather when the humidity of the 

 atmosphere precluded their drying, gi^^ng a Uvely impression of the difficulties attending the formation of 

 a horttis siccus, in Brazil, complained of by Mr. Gardner.^ The Bolettis sanguineus is not recommended 

 for the table even abroad^ and should be shunned in England as doubtfid at least. Any unwholesome 

 qualities of the tribe in general, however, appear to be fugitive, and lost in drying. Pliny says they shoidd 

 have rushes passed through them, and be suspended in the air ; thus preserved they are an article of 

 consumption in Italy, where no species is rejected; and they are in constant demand as a marketable 

 commodity, so that collecting and preparing them employs many hands. 



Old Gerarde, in speaking of Funguses, says, "many wantons that dwell near the sea, and have fish at 

 will, are very desirous for change of diet, to feed upon the birds of the mountains ; and such as dwell upon 

 the hills or champain grounds, do long after sea fish ; many that have plenty of both, do hunger after the 

 earthie excrescences called Mushrooms." It is notorious that the skill of cooks has ever been taxed to 

 invent fast-day substitutes for flesh, when fish paUs on the dainty appetite, and what so like a veal cutlet as 

 the tender and deHcate Boletus edulis ? Agaricus deliciosus cannot be distinguished from a savoury kidney 

 when similarly served up ; and not to multiply examples, as all will be noticed in the proper place, there can 

 be no doubt that in Roman Catholic countries the edible funguses are a most grateful addition to meagre 

 diet. For the invalid, restricted to a wearisome monotony of light messes, in wliich meat may form no 

 part, a change is suggested which many wiU be thankful for. Probatmn est. 



Take a smaU quantity of parsley and sweet herbs and if not medically prohibited, a Httle carrot, scald 

 them in boiling water, and tlu'ow it away, as putting butter to them may be objectionable, then add a 

 little sugar, and as much mushroom ketchup as gives a pleasant flavour of soup, thicken it with arrowroot, 

 so that it will hang a little to the spoon, and throw some dice of toasted bread into it. 



All weak mutton or chicken broths are much improved by ketchup, but it is a hazardous article to 

 purchase. 



' " Travels in the Interior of Brazil, principally tkrough the Northern Provinces and Gold and Diamond 

 District, dmlng the years 1836-1841, by George Gardner, F.L.S." The naiTative of an inteUigent naturahst whose 

 heart was in his occupation. 



