CRYPTOGAMIA. BS... 
“some, as Phallus, dissolves into a gelatinous mass; while in 
others it is more permanent, sometimes forming plates or 
gills, as in the Common Mushroom; in other cases forming 
tubes, as in Boletus. Almost all the eatable Fungi are 
among thet Gymnocarpi. 
M. Braconnot found in Fungi a peculiar principle, which 
he has termed fungin, resembling vegetable fibre in the inert- 
hess of its properties, but affording by distillation products 
which resemble those obtained from animal matters. He 
also obtained an acid (fungic acid), adipocire, sugar, an oily 
matter, and a substance resembling osmazome. 
Economicat Properties.*—In Great Britain and in many 
parts of the Continent, Mushrooms are regarded asa delicate 
article of food, and in some places are much used by the 
Poorer inhabitants. Some kinds are much used for making — 
ketchup, and various kinds of sauces. Many Fungiare ofa 
Very dangerous nature. The taste is perhaps the best mode 
of distinguishing i injurious from wholesome Fungi. If they — : 
able, of course they must be rejected ; and also when the flesh 
is soft, or watery, gelatinous, or leathery, and if they become 
blue or green whep cut. They should be used when young, 
48, when matured, they are often insipid and tough. The _ 
bymenium i is in general to be rejected when the pileus has 
®xpanded. In very young Fungi, however, it is not so dan- 
Serous. Itis said that spices, more particularly salt and vine- oe 
Sar, render even poisonous Fungi wholesome. All Fungi _ 
employed as articles of diet in Russia, where perhaps ey, 
are at all bitter, astringent, or styptic, or otherwise disagree- ie a 
