ON THE CULTIVATION OF CERTAIN FUNGI. 195 



special nidus. Probably it would not be found in Great Britain. 

 But in connection with tbis a whimsical idea one day struck the 

 author, that possibly some good useful fungus of a similar kind 

 may exist, which could be induced to fertilize those immense 

 mounds of slag and cinder seen near collieries, ironworks, and so 

 forth ; and which in some places cover many acres of ground with 

 black and sterile oppression ! Comical as the notion may seem at 

 first sight, it is not altogether ridiculous. For this Italian Stone- 

 tuft shows us that Nature has provided plants which can feed 

 upon igneous mineral matter, and so transform it into fertile soil. 



The Neapolitans cultivate a small fungus (A. catinus), which 

 grows upon coffee-grounds. The coffee-grounds are simply be- 

 stowed in a warm corner, and kept undisturbed and constantly 

 damp for six or eight months, when they begin to afford crops. 

 The mushroom is said to be extremely dainty. Dr. Badham 

 mentions another species which appears on tea-leaves sim^ilarly 

 treated, but there is no evidence as to whether it is edible or not. 



In the Campagna of Rome, a small Polypore (P. corylinus) 

 appears on charred stumps and logs of hazel and cob-nut. These 

 stumps are brought to market. They are well singed, and then 

 put into a warm place, left undisturbed, and watered freely. In a 

 few weeks they become covered with mushrooms, and these are 

 said to be of first-class quality. There is little doubt that if some 

 of these stumps were brought to England, and so treated, that 

 they would bear. And it is not improbable that the spores would 

 disseminate themselves, and in course of time render our own 

 hazels and cob-nut trees similarly fruitful. 



If any readers have become interested in these subjects, and if 

 they happen to be persons blessed with the inestimable treasure of 

 much leisure-time — not filled up and occupied, every minute of it, 

 by the unceasing drudgery of working and scheming to provide 

 for themselves and families — then they may be here reminded that 

 it is they who are privileged, they who have the opportunity, to 

 carry out protracted experiment and prolonged research, so as to 

 decipher pages in the book of nature as yet unread, and render the 

 gifts of nature more available to man. Here is an occupation 

 offered, one that may yield results which will benefit the many — 

 to experiment on the culture of sundry eatable Fungi ; not to 

 mention those other studies and investigations previously adverted 

 to in this work ! It has been said that he is the truest benefactor 

 of his race who can make two grains of wheat grow where only 



