APPENDIX A. 



On the Preparation of Fungi for the Table, 



The importance of discrimination lias been strongly insisted on ; 

 and it must be applied in the kitchen as well as in the field. We 

 must get rid of the notion that esculent mushrooms are all one 

 kind of thing, and must look upon each species, or each little 

 group of kindred species, as entirely distinct one from another, 

 and probably needing quite different treatment to prepare for the 

 table. Certain species, such as the various kinds of Pratelle, or the 

 various kinds of Parasol, or of Clavarias, may be lumped together 

 without disadvantage perhaps. But as a general thing it is better 

 to gather one species at a time, to prepare and cook one at a 

 time, and to eat one at a time. 



There are several rules which it is advisable not to forget. 

 First, no new species should be ventured on unless it has been 

 surely and satisfactorily identified, and unless it be one of those 

 which, are here recommended. And all the individuals in a basket 

 should be looked over before they are put into the cook's hands, 

 to make sure that there is no " suspect " among them. Second, 

 no kind of fungus is good when putrescence or decay has com- 

 menced in it. It is true that some appear to be harmless even 

 when far gone. One often sees the common Pratelles exposed for 

 sale when they are half -rotten, and some people appear to think 

 these black-gilled, putrifying specimens the most tasty. But some 

 other kinds become quite noxious as soon as the chemical changes 

 of decomposition begin, and of these the Blewit is a striking 

 example. Therefore it should be regarded as a rule that any 

 mushroom, of whatever kind, is to be rejected if at all "gone," 

 or decomposed in the slightest degree. 



It may be advanced as a pretty sure fact that the greater num- 

 ber of the " poisonings by mushrooms " we hear of every autumn, 

 are due simply to the consumption of half-rotten individuals, 

 which were very likely quite wholesome when fresh. If people 



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