Wells ill the autumn of 1846, and from experience at that period, may be strongly recommended when 

 thorouglily stewed in wliite sauce ; the flavoiu- is extremely good, the substance digestible, and a resemblance 

 to oysters perceptible to some palates. It is the Chevrotine of the French ; and is much eaten in Austria. 

 However strong Enghsh prejudice may be with respect to the Pungus tribe, it is founded on fear, and 

 even those who grieve most at the neglect and waste of valuable species, cannot blame the caution of the 

 ignorant. To remove ignorance will it is hoped be to banish fear, and every one who ^vill take the trouble 

 may easily identify Hydnum repardum ; the only mistake likely to be made, is with its relative Hydmmi 

 imbricatmn, a large variety with a strikingly scaly pileus, rare in England although frequent in Germany, 

 where it is always eaten, but not esteemed so much as its more dehcate relative. To recapitidate, — the 

 K. repandum is a buff-leather coloured Fungus, not scaly on the pileus ; the under side is tliickly set with 

 spines of a paler colour than the cap, these are generally round, but apt to be deformed, and are easily broken 

 off, they may however readily be knoMoi as distinct from any tubular or pored hymenium ; " every spine 

 consisting of an interionr flesh-coloured substance, wliich appears to the eye darker, juicy, and watery, and 

 which forms a sort of kernel to a second tender transparent membrane, consisting of sporophores and spores, 

 and which is the hymenium " (Kromb.) ; now it is evident that such spines composed of a double substance, 

 may, when broken or injured, put on the appearance of rude tubes, it must then be remembered that the dust 

 or spores are situated within the tubes of such Funguses as possess that structure, but outside of the processes 

 of the Hi/dimm ; laid on a slate or glass these spores mil be found as a wliite deposit. If then any Fungus 

 of a fleshy description (for there are coriaceous Hydnwms not to be supposed eatable) has a spinous hymenium, 

 and a pileus free from scales, it is probably our subject. Its shape is very irregular, lobed, and waved, often 

 depressed in the centre, and the stem lateral ; when many grow together they are often confluent both in the 

 pileus and stem ; the flesh is white, firm, elastic ; occasionally a flesh-coloured tinge pervades it ; it is entirely 

 homogeneous or one with the stem, and has no very perceptible taste or smell ; in age, in very dry weather, 

 or when bruised, a cinnamon tint is assumed by the Fungus, and the whole darkens in drying ; it then 

 becomes tough and leathery, and our experience cannot certify that it is of any use ; it does not afford 

 ketchup, having httle natural moisture, for which reason young and fresh specimens only should be selected 

 for the table ; these must be cut in equal sized pieces, steeped in warm water and afterwards thorougldy 

 stewed either in rich brown sauce, or white enriched with cream or butter ; it is not of a substance proper 

 for broiling ; that operation rendering it tough and indigestible. 



