14 BRITISH EDIBLE FUNGI. 



they had to eat, replied, " Plenty of fish and too much 

 summer fruit." Another species is found and eaten 

 at Cape Horn. In Brazil some species of agaric, 

 closely allied to the common mushroom, are eaten ; 

 and it seems that fungus eating is not unknown in 

 Chili and Peru. 



In Northern Africa some European and some in- 

 digenous species are employed as food. Of fungus 

 eating on the western coast we know little, but at the 

 Cape of Good Hope "The Parasol" and the "Common 

 Mushroom " are found and eaten. Some of the 

 native tribes are also mycophagists. At Natal a 

 delicious agaric, called " Umkowaan," is highly ap- 

 preciated. Throughout the whole of South Africa 

 fungus eating is in favour, not only of well-known 

 European species, but of some only known as native. 



From New Zealand and Tahiti immense quantities 

 of dried Jews' ears are exported to China, but there 

 is no evidence that they are consumed in their native 

 countries. Nevertheless there are other edible fungi 

 in New Zealand which are articles of common con- 

 sumption. The European " mushroom " is found and 

 appreciated throughout the Australian colonies, as 

 well as several indigenous species. 



Having demonstrated that fungus eating is not a 

 modern invention, or restricted to a few European 

 localities, it may be asked, what reasons can be urged 

 in its favour, and, in reply, we would suggest that it 

 increases the variety of food resources, furnishes 



