MUSHROOMS 



of this piiffhall was used as tinder to catch the sparks 

 wliich flew from the flint when it was struck for fire. 

 The spore dust of this fundus has sometimes been used 

 to stop tlie i\o\\ of l)k)od from a wound. 



Another variety that is cjuite common is tlie pear- 

 shaped puffbalL These are found everywhere in the 

 workl. The}^ grow on okl timber or on the ground in 

 groups. Those that you see in the picture were grow- 

 ing on the ground along a country roadside. The 

 group from wliich they were taken was about two feet 

 in extent. When they were picked the inside was white 

 and firm. Now they have turned dark. The spores 

 are ripe and are of a greenish brown. Some of them 

 have the hole in the skin, and a little pressure will scat- 

 ter the spores. 



All of the puffballs that have white flesh are good to 

 eat, as long as the flesh continues white. If, when cut, 

 the knife leaves a stain of yellow, the mushroom is too 

 old to cook. Puffballs that are dark inside when young 

 are not thought to be fit for food. 



THE CORAL FUNGI 



If you have ever seen coral, you can guess why 

 these are cjdled coral fungi. There are a great many 

 beautiful j)lants among them. All of them stand up 

 straight, or nearh^ so. Some are single, others are 



. 88 



