54 ON SOME COMMON SPECIES OF EATABLE MUSHROOMS. 



decree of gustatory excellence. For example, there are three 

 species growing in fir-woods, distinguished by being of uniform 

 vellow colour. These are edible but not commendable, being soft 

 and of glutinous texture. In countries where they are used, they 

 are chiefly boiled down into soup, probably with garlic and onion, 

 or other flavourings and ingredients. Most Bolets can be readily 

 dried, and so kept for winter; and in some countries, especially 

 Russia and Italy, this seems to be largely practised. It is note- 

 worthy that the worst kinds lose all their noxiousness after being 

 dried, and become quite harmless. In the two catalogues all the 

 Briti.sh species of the genus, with but unimportant exceptions, are 

 described, so that the reader may be fully informed in respect of 

 them. The most commendable species will now be severally 

 indicated. 



The Slimmer Bolet (155). This species is the first to appear. 

 It may be found so early as the end of May, and continues till the 

 beginning of August. It is very large and substantial, and is 

 altogether one of the best eatable mushrooms. The species is 

 large and irregular in shape. Next to its early season, the most 

 distinctive point is the cuticle^ which is fine, soft, and silky, of a dull 

 hrown, shaded and streaked with grey or black. 



The Dainty Bolet (161). This species is fairly well known to 

 English fungus-eaters, and is probably the most delicious of the 

 Bolets. Its general characters are described in the catalogue. 

 Perhaps the most noteworthy distinctive point about it is the 

 delicate tracery, or network of fibres, seen on the upper part of the thick 

 white stem. There are two marked varieties of the Dainty Bolet, 

 differing in the colour of the Pileus. In the fii-st the cuticle is of 

 a light hvff tint. This kind is chiefly found amid grass, in and 

 about corners of pastures, near copses in parks, etc. If there be 

 any difference in flavour, the palm is borne off by this variety. In 

 the second the cuticle is brown, more or less dark and dull. This 

 kind is found more in the shade of woods, often on bare ground 

 among dead leaves. 



The Red-Crack Bolet (159), and The Yellow-Crack Bolet (171). 

 Tliese are two woodland species, whose top-heavy caps are sup- 

 ported on stems that are tall, lean, twisted, and blotched with red 

 or brown. Both are liable to turn slightly blue where wounded. 

 The brown cuticle is apt to split and crack, and the interstices 

 become red in one species and yellow in the other. They are both 

 wholesome, and fairly good eating. 



