Use of Mushrooms 



EDIBLE AND POISONOUS MUSHROOMS 



In the preceding pages, 3]S mushrooms are described. Of this number, only 

 three are deadly poisonous ; a half dozen are violently emetic in their effect upon 

 >ome people, though harmless to others, and about the same number have such per- 

 sistently unpleasant odor or taste Ih.at they will be universally rejected, though none 

 of them are actually poisonous. Of the remainder, 230 species are edible; 50 are too 

 tough or too small to be of real value, and 15 are still to be tested thoroughly, 

 though it is probable that they are all edible. The deadlv poisonous mushrooms 

 are all species of A m a n i t a : A. p h a 1 1 o i d e s, A. v e r n a and A. m u s c a r i a 

 (figures 1, 2, 4). Each species contains a somewhat different poison, though they 

 all act as powerful and fatal depressants upon the heart action. The chief antidotes 

 are atropine and injections of salt solution. The effects of Amanita poisoning usually 

 do not appear for 9-12 hours, and at this time remedial measures are too often un- 

 availing. In consequence, every one who collects mushrooms for food should spare no 

 pains to avoid getting A m a n i t a into his basket. This means that he must learn 

 to recognize A m a n i t a under all conditions, and that as a further safeguard, he 

 must learn the edible genera and species just as he would learn so many flowers 

 or fruits. Mushrooms with white gills, a ring about the stem and a volva at 

 the base of the stem must always be avoided. \\'hen it shows these three fea- 

 tures, an Amanita can readily be distinguished from all other mushrooms. The 

 greatest danger occurs in the button stage, or in old age when the volva or ring has 

 more or less completely disappeared. Button Amanitas have been mistaken for puff- 

 balls, with fatal results, but this will never occur, if it is borne in mind tliat even 

 the button as usually found will show gills wlien cut open, a feature entirely lacking 

 in the puffball. Perhaps the safest plan is to avoid all mushroom buttons, unless 

 there is clear-cut evidence from their growth or the more mature plants alongside of 

 them that they are not Amanitas. In other words, mushroom buttons should even 

 less be taken on faith than the adult forms. As to the old forms, the best method 

 is to become so familiar with the marks of A m a n i t a, as shown in figures 1-3 that 

 they will be recognized under all conditions. While the deadly poisonous mushrooms 

 are few in species and in individuals, no chances whatever should be taken with 

 them. The opinion of one who does not know them definitely by their scientific 

 names is worse than worthless ; it is dangerous. The same statement applies to the 

 various rules-of-thumb for detecting poisonous forms. These would all be laughable, 

 if they did not often lead to fatal results. The change of color of the flesh, the 

 floating or sinking in water, the discoloration of a silver spoon and other supposed 

 tests are mere superstitions, unworthy of the slightest credence. Even the best 

 cookbooks are often dangerously misleading. 



