PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 57 



taste. It should be carefully distinguislied from tlie poisonous 

 amanita, which, has the same color; but the latter is more 

 pointed, slender, and it has a disagreeable, virulent odor. 

 Koques. 



AgariciistheiogaUus,'Bi\\\.','Pei-s.,Sjn.) pg,-,j, g n f 



Lacturius " Fr, ) 



This was analyzed by Vanqueliu, and found to contain con- 

 stituents similar to those of A. imiscarius, and is equally poison- 

 ous. It is saturated with a yellow and bitter juice. 



' Fly Agaric, Aman- 

 Agarimis muscarius., L., Fl. Suec. J ita. " Woods, espe- 



Amcmita iiiuscaria, Grev., S. C. Fl. 54. i cially of fir and 



I birch." 

 Sent to me from St. John's, S. C. by my friend, II. W. Rav- 

 enel, Esq. 



This species derives its name from its killing flies, when dis- 

 solved in milk. It is highly narcotic, producing in small doses 

 intoxication and delirium, for which purpose it is used in Kamt- 

 schatka; and in larger, death. Crypt. Eng. For a detailed 

 account of its poisonous effects, see Koques' Hist, des Champs, p. 

 123 ; and for some curious particulars, a paper by Dr. Greville, 

 in the 4th vol. WerneHcm Trans. ; also, this paper, ante^ in 

 introduction to the " Fungi." From the account of Dr. Langs- 

 dorff, as translated by Dr. Greville, it appears that the inhabit- 

 ants of the northeastern part of Asia use this variety in the same 

 manner as wine, brandy, arrack, opium, etc. are by other nations. 

 They are collected in the hottest months, and hung up in the air 

 by a string to dry ; some dry of themselves on the ground, and 

 are far more narcotic. The usual mode of taking the fungus is 

 to roll it up like a bolus, and swallow it without chewing ; which, 

 the Kamschatdales say, would disorder the stomach. It is some- 

 times eaten fresh, in soups and sauces, and then loses much of 

 its intoxicating proj)erty. When steeped in the juice of the Yac- 

 cinium uliginosutn^ its effects are those of strong wine. One 

 large or two small fungi is a common dose, to produce a pleas- 

 ant intoxication for a whole day, particularly if water be drnnk 

 after it, which augments the narcotic principle. The desired 

 effect comes on from one to two hours after taking the fungus. 

 Giddiness and drunkenness result in the same manner as from 



