136 A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 



is just beginning to change, and is slightly soft and discoloured at the centre, 

 scent and flavour are already affected, and the PuS-ball is no longer nice to 

 eat. As maturity advances, the capillitium gradually changes into coloured 

 dust, or in wet weather often becomes a sHmy, rotting mass. It has been 

 thought to become poisonous in this stage, but I do not find any evidence of 

 its really being so. Yet the dust of Puff-balls, if inhaled, or if introduced into 

 the eye, will cause distressing inflammation and acute pain in the mucous 

 membrane. This is, however, the result of mechanical irritation only, and is 

 not due to any principle such as we should call a poison. The ripe, or partially 

 ripened. Puff-ball has its use. When dried, it may be burnt like tinder, and the 

 fumes are certainly narcotic. Bee-keepers make use of it in this way, and 

 vivisectionists stujiefy the subjects to be experimented on with it. When study- 

 ing physiology, I have frequently seen Puff-ball so employed, and its effects are 

 complete and lasting, though it is apt to be tedious in acting. Before chloro- 

 form was known, patients were sometimes placed under the influence of burn- 

 ing Puff-ball fumes, and formidable operations were conducted with the help of 

 this anajsthetic. In some parts of Northern Europe the dust is mixed with 

 milk, and given as a veterinary medicine to domestic animals. It acts thus as 

 an astringent. The dry Puff-ball is also used as a styptic ; but I doubt if it be 

 not dangerous, on account of the irritation the fine dust may cause. — W. D. H. 



(193.) LYCOPERDON CiELATUM ; The Embossed Paff-ball. 



Habitat. In meadows and fields. Solitary. 



Season. August to October. Common. 



Habit. Globose above, tapered to base, rooting. Several inches 

 high, three to six inches widest diameter. White, in age brown. 

 Outer coat of peridium broken into large, angular, persistent 

 warts, giving the plant an embossed appearance. Flesh white, 

 firm, floccose ; then yellow; at last brown dust. Odour aromatic. 

 Taste bland and agreeable. 



Obs. Of very good quality, of course while white and solid always under- 

 stood.— jr. D. H. 



(193.) LTCOPERDON GEMMATUM ; The Pillar Puff-ball. 



Habitat. In pastures, parks, grassy woods, commons, etc. 

 Solitary. 



Season. June to September. Common. 



Habit. Two to five inches high, columnar, white, brown in age. 

 Lower part like a thick stem. Upper part enlarged, rounded, 

 umbonate, farinose, squamose, perhaps rimose. Flesh white at 

 fir.st, with central floccose pitli, eventually yellow powdei-. Odour 

 strong, aromatic. Taste good. 



Obt. Of rather inferior quality, as the flesh ia woolly. — W. D. JI. 



