POISONOUS FLESHY FUNGI 



349 



Morchella esculenta. The morels are disk fungi that appear in 

 late spring in damp situations. Morel fruits possess a distinct cap 

 and stalk. The cap varies in shape with the species, being spheri- 

 cal, ovate, cylindrical, or conic. A network of ridges and pits 

 covers the outer surface. The stipe is stout and irregularly 

 wrinkled. All species are buff to light ochre. The fructifications 

 of M. esculenta may be as high as 6 in. tall. The cap is oval in 

 outline, and the pits are irregularly arranged. , 



Fig. 63. Structural diagrams of Boletus. A. Young unopened pileus in which 

 the entire fructification is still enclosed within the universal veil. B. Ex- 

 panded pileus, showing the annulus and remnants attached to the rim 

 of the pileus. C. Opened, mature pileus with stipe, cap, and pore surface. 



Persons who gather mushrooms should learn to recognize the 

 foregoing poisonous species and should sedulously avoid eating 

 them. Although the judicious use of such knowledge constitutes 

 the best and only safeguard, many other so-called tests to deter- 

 mine whether a given form is poisonous may be mentioned. Silver 

 spoons or coins are said to turn black when dipped into a dish of 

 cooked poisonous mushrooms. Poisonous species are said to peel 

 with readiness. Species that are bright colored, that have unde- 

 sirable odors, or that have a bitter taste when freshly gathered are 

 claimed to be toxic. The reliability of these and similar tests is 

 vouched for bv the world-famous authority, "They say.' 1 All 

 such tests are without foundation and must be regarded as sheer 

 nonsense. 



