PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 63 



poisonous, but cautions us against confounding it with the A. 

 asper. Hist, des Champs. Ven. 320. 



Large shaggy Agaric. 



Agaricus procems, Scop. FL Cam. "Gardens, hedge-banks, 

 " colubrinus, BnlL -| pastures, and woods." S. 



" annulatus^ Bolt. t. 23. Carolina ! to Penn. July 



and Oct. 



This plant was known among the Romans, and mentioned by 

 Pliny. The taste is sweet, and odor pleasant. " Forming on the 

 Continent a frequent article of food." Eoques, Hist, des Champs. 

 120. 



A remarkable set of cases of pure narcotism are related by 

 Dr. Peddie. Half an hour after eating this plant, an elderly man 

 and a boy of thirteen were attacked with giddiness and stagger- 

 ing, as if they were intoxicated ; and in an hour they became 

 insensible, the man, indeed, so much so, that for some time he 

 could not be aroused by any means. Emetics having little effect, 

 the stomach was cleared out by the pump, and powerful stimu- 

 lants were employed, both inwardly and outwardly, by means of 

 which sensibility was in some degree restored. Occasional con- 

 vulsive spasms ensued, afterwards furious delirium, attended 

 with frantic cries and vehement resistance to remedies, and fol- 

 lowed by a state resembling delirium tremens. The pupil at first 

 contracted, but afterwards dilated, as sensibility returned. In 

 neither of the two instances was there any pain felt at any time, 

 nor were the bowels affected. Another boy, who took a small 

 quantity only, had no other symptom but giddiness, drowsiness, 

 and debility. (Edinb. Med. & Surg. Journal, xlix. 192.) Christi- 

 son on Poisons, p. T05. The above cases plainly show the posses- 

 sion of some narcotic property, when taken at certain seasons, 

 that is, if Mr. Peddie was correct in the species. Roques does 

 not intimate any inconvenience from eating this plant, and he 

 gives various processes for serving it up. 



Agai^ious dypeolariou.?, Bull. 405, D. C. ] Found in autumn 

 " maleagris, With. v in wet woods. S. 



" colubrinus^ Pers. Syn. 258. ) C. ! to Penn. 

 Its consistence is soft, and odor slightly agreeable. It is sup- 

 posed to be poisonous by some, whilst others consider it eatable. 

 M. Eoques mentions that he has twice eaten a small quantity 



