EXPLANATORY. 23 



grow on the ground in open places, and that if the 

 cuticle or skin of the pileus cannot be peeled off 

 easily it is unfit for food. Many excellent species 

 will be found growing in woods, and the peeling of 

 the cuticle is no general test. 



Instances have been observed and recorded in 

 which the same fungus, cooked and served at the 

 same table, has been eaten and enjoyed without 

 inconvenience by the majority of persons present, 

 whereas one individual has been affected injuriously, 

 and exhibited symptoms of fungus poisoning. We 

 are personally acquainted with one man who can 

 never eat a fragment of the ordinary mushroom, 

 either by itself, or as a condiment, without suffering 

 very severely in consequence. Such cases may be 

 exceptional, but the good or bad qualities of the 

 mushroom must not be determined by exceptional 

 cases. Even cultivated mushrooms have been known 

 to possess evil qualities when grown under peculiar 

 conditions, or when they have become infested with a 

 minute parasite. All fungi to be eaten should be 

 well grown, clean, and fresh, and also cooked in such 

 a manner as to be digestible, and not spoilt in the 

 kitchen. These preliminary observations will enable 

 us now to proceed with the details of species to be 

 recommended, on the faith of a long personal ex- 

 perience. 



