is it uot the duty of a moralist to point out examples to deter, as well as models to imitate ; and of a 

 taycologist to warn agaist involuntary emetics, as well as to recommend dainty stews ? 



The Galorrheiis family are remarkable from containing in the interiour of their substance, a milky liquid 

 which flows in drops as soon as they are broken or punctured ; this milk varies in colour and quahty ; in 

 some cases it changes its hue on exposure to the air, thereby staining the Fungus in blotches, where it has 

 been bruised ; in very di-y weather milk may not exude, and in very wet, it may become attenuated and 

 watery, but there is only one of the class wliich is always entirely destitute of it, A. exsucciis, and one, 

 A. Cilicioides in which it forms a " superficial moisture," according to Dr. GreviUe. From their generally 

 assuming a cup or funnel shape, by which the pileus acquires the capability of retaining rain, the French give 

 them the title of " water drinkers " " eau-boirout " and " Poivres " on account of the pungency the milk 

 possesses in many cases ; this pungency however has none of the aromatic agreeableness of pepper ; it is at 

 first scarce perceptible, but presently burns in the mouth Kke Mezereon berries, or Ewphorbium, and in the 

 acrid Riifus and its dangerous relatives, becomes insupportably violent ; tliis A. rnfiis, our present subject, 

 there is only one opinion about, that it is utterly unfit for the table, and when accidentally taken to the extent 

 of a couple of ounces produced very alarming effects, although timely remedies prevented then pro\dng fatal. 

 Of the most commonly eaten, A.piperatus, which is largely consumed in Germany, Russia, and some parts of 

 France, M. Paulet says it has never been charged with homicide, (a virtue in a tribe condemned by such 

 desigiiations as, Necator, Torminosns, Mcvdner) but he adds with charming naivete "j'avoue que ce n'est 

 point im met deHcat, il est meme un peu amer, et lourd sur I'estomac." One milk y Agaric, A. delicioms, 

 most "■ venemous " in appearance accordiug to vulgar notions, for it is of a yellow hue, with red milk which 

 changes to green, is perhaps the best of all the edible kinds and may be safely ventured on, for the very 

 reason that its pecuhar green stains where injui-ed, distinguish it from all others, it will be hereafter described 

 at lengtlr, and is the only one of the family we recommend as food. 



Is there no use for tliis profusion of deadly Toadstools ? are thousands of beautiful objects strewed 

 about our paths and disposed in elegant fairy rings under the trees where we are lounging, only to bite our 

 tongues if we venture to taste them? That Nature does nothing in vain is an axiom further research 

 always proves we should trust, although at first the utUity of her productions may appear a mystery to our 

 ignorance. The natural food-growth of Indian marshy ground is rice, but the dry banks around fm'nish the 

 hot peppers which are wholesome as seasoning. After heavy sununer-rains in England, mpiads of acrid 

 milky Agarics spring up, in dank woods and situations where malaria produces disease, which it is bv no 

 means impossible these pepper-mushrooms may be a cure for ; many common medicines would produce, as 

 much pain, distress and contortion as Agarkus rnfus, if taken in two ounce doses ; a raw Capsicum bitten 

 carelessly has caused swelling of the lips and face to a fearful extent, yet no one fears to eat them pickled ; 

 mild, bland arrowroot is made by depriving the vegetable of its acrid poison, and thus the Cassava is 

 rendered a substitute for bread to a whole people on the Mosquito shore ; but though cooking or pickling 

 may remove the evil qualities of milky Agarics by abstracting their acrid juices, yet they evidently do not 

 become dainties to please the palate, let us then rejoice and be thankful that in England we are not under 

 the necessity of trying experiments upon them to appease hunger. 



