283 Wisconsin State Hobticultueal Society. 



If a full grown raushrcora is taken, and the under surface ex- 

 amined, it will be found to consist of a multitude of radiating 

 gills of a beautiful pinkish color. It is on the surface of these 

 gills that the reproductive bodies are borne — bodies which, 

 though different in structure, perform for this plant the same 

 office the acorn does for the oak ; but instead of being called 

 seeds they have, in this and all other species of fungi, received the 

 name of spores. At the base of the stalk, hidden from sight, is 

 to be found a mass of fine threads which make up the true vege- 

 tative portion of the fungus, and is called the mycelium — a term 

 applied to this part of all species of fungi. In France, where the 

 satisfaction of the palate is a matter of no secondary considera- 

 tion, the mushroom has received the greatest care, and been quite 

 extensively grown. In this peculiar market gardening, caves are 

 often put to valuable use; and old deserted mines have been ap- 

 propriated for the winter culture of the champignon. The growth 

 and consumption of the mushroom in the United States is rapidly 

 increasing. In Italy this species of fungus is always rejected in 

 the markets as being poisonous, while its place is filled with an- 

 other upon which the French look with distrust. 



The fact that some species of toadstools are poisonou?, is as 

 evident as that others possess real worth as articles of diet, bear- 

 ing, as it does, the testimony of many who have ignorantly eaten 

 of the former, supposing them to be edible. Among the illus- 

 trious who have perished in this manner, we find the names of 

 the Emperor Jovian, Pope Clement VII, and the Emperor 

 Charles YI. The dread of being poisoned, mixed with no small 

 amount of superstition, together with the difficulty of distinguish- 

 ing the good from the bad, have all combined to prevent the 

 accordance of justice to this family of plants. 



Any one who presumes to give instruction concerning fungi is 

 expected to lay down certain infallible rules for distinguishing 

 the edible from the poisonous, so that in the future no serious in- 

 convenience or loss of life may arise from their injudicious con- 

 sumplioQ. Up tp the present time this has never been done, and 

 it would not become me to attempt it here. There are certain 

 general rules which may be given, but they all have their excep- 



