excessive rains, on wluch condition much of the goodness and flavour of aU the Boletus tribe depends ; a 

 firm specimen, selected before the tubes have changed coloui-, and insects begun their ravages, will be 

 found very agreeable broiled ; but the flesh softens in age to a consistence not pleasant, although there is 

 nothing objectionable in the flavour or qualities. The fibrillose dark lines down the stem are peciUiar to 

 B. scaber ; others are meshed with fine net-work or indented in strong reticulations, but not in this peculiar 

 linear form. 



If it should be mistaken for B. edmlis, it is a compliment, as that is much better than itself ; both 

 might carelessly be confound with B.felleus, but as that dangerous individual is bitter when tasted, a 

 certain test exists ; other Boletuses beside these either turn blue or green, or have yellow in their colouring, 

 so that confusion cannot well arise. Boletus eduUs has the stem meshed closely all over with fine 

 reticulation, has no red in its shades, never turns colour when cut, and the change of the tubes with age 

 is from white to dirty yellow nearly olive, the spores being green oKve. Boletus felleus has a broken cap, 

 generally cracking into fine tesselations ; the stem is paler brown, grooved deeply in a reticulate manner ; 

 the change of the tubes is from wliite to dull pink-red, the spores being rosy-ochre. 



After studying these characteristics any one may ascertain B. scaber ; like all other Boletuses these 

 must have the tubes removed before being cooked, then if firm and intact, they may be filled with a little 

 force-meat in lieu of the tubes, and gently roasted in a cheese toaster, or broiled, but not cooked in any 

 manner which leaves them moist. 



