Il6 BRITISH EDIBLE FUNGI. 



than the edible boletus, hence it is preferred by some 

 people. 



There is a larger, but, unfortunately, rare species 



which is earlier in appearance than either of those 



we have described. The summer boletus {Boletus 



ocstivalis) reaches sometimes a diameter of ten inches, 



and the cap varies from pale tan colour to grey ; it is 



silky, and often covered with a frosty bloom. As it 



becomes old the surface cracks into angular or 



irregular patches. The under surface is whitish, and 



the thick flesh does not change colour when cut. 



Special caution should be taken not to attempt 



cooking any species the flesh of which changes to 



blue when cut. Some of the worst species become of 



a deep indigo blue immediately on being cut or 



broken. The stem in this species is two inches thick, 



moderately long, and a little tapering upwards, of a 



dull whitish colour, and even. It is mostly found in 



pastures, under trees, sometimes as early as May, but 



most commonly in June or July. Mrs Hussey says 



that this is the most delicious of all the boleti, and 



Dr Bull was of the same opinion. Perhaps one of the 



reasons why it has not been found more often is the 



early period of its appearance, before fungus eaters as 



a rule think of going out in search of spoil. 



There is a species which is found occasionally on 

 woodsides later in the year, which has the reputation 

 of being esculent {Boletus impolitiis). It often attains 

 a large size, and resembles the above in form, and in 



