ON SOME COMMON SPECIES OF EATABLE MUSHROOMS. 53 



with suspicion ; why, it is hard to say, since there is no evidence 

 except in their favour. The author eats them all indiscriminately, 

 and is inclined to pronounce the Golden Spindlespike (140) his 

 particular favourite. It is often found in large bundles, and is 

 hence more substantial than the others, which are mostly small 

 and troublesome to pick and clean, though they are very nice to 

 eat, and well repay the trouble they give. The Spindlespike is 

 a trifle tough and fibrous, unless well sweated with butter. But 

 it possesses a peculiarly agreeable piquant flavour. The Clavarias 

 generally are thoroughly commendable, and pickle well. 



The Bolets (155-173). This genus is one that the author is 

 particularly anxious to popularize, because Bolets are large, sub- 

 stantial, common, and abundant. They are readily known by 

 their big, round, cushiony caps, and by the porous, spongy surface 

 below the cap. A considerable number of species are harmless, 

 and therefore edible, and they are considerably more plentiful than 

 their noxious congeners. It would be evidently very desirable if 

 we could discover some common feature, the recognition of which 

 should serve to distinguish good Bolets from noxious ones. 

 Dr. Badham thought he had hit upon some such a test, and various 

 writers since have perpetuated his mistake. It is this. Certain 

 species, when bruised or broken, immediately assume a blue or 

 blackish colour in the wounded part. All such species were 

 declared to be deleterious, while esculents were said to show no 

 such feature. The author has succeeded in proving that tliis 

 change of colour does in no way serve to distinguish bad Bolets 

 from good ones, though it may help to indicate some species. 

 There are various entirely wholesome Bolets in which the change 

 of colour takes place most markedly. Trying to find some surer 

 substitute for this fallacious rule, the author believes he has 

 established a more useful one in the following. Any Bolet posses- 

 sing primrose-yellow pores may he regarded as esculent, with one rare 

 exception, that in lohich there is also a stout, entirely scarlet stem. 

 But there are also two excellent species in which the pores are of 

 dirty-white colour. Nor can it be said with certainty that all 

 those in which the pores are brown, tan-colour, pink, or crimson 

 are noxious, though the known poisonous Bolets are found among 

 them. After all, it is better to discriminate each species by itself, 

 as has been previously insisted on. This, more especially, because 

 although we have about a score of species of Bolet which are 

 wholesome and nutritive, they are severally very different in 



