THE ALUMNI JOURNAL. 25 



Fishdina refers to the fact that it has of the yolk of an g:^^. Generally, it is a 



little tubes on its under side which groups little one-sided, and has revolute edges, 



it with those fungi that have pores instead which makes it the dispair of the amateur 



of gills, and hepatica means liver-like, and to sketch. 



refers to its general appearance, which Because it is so easily recognized, it 



resembles the color of liver. would be safe to recommend it were it 



It grows on stumps of trees, principally not for the fact that its virtues are shadow. 



oaks and chesnuts, and its first appear- ed by the close resemblance of a disagree- 



ance is like a little rosy pimple. In a few able species of the same kind. The 



days it becomes tongue shaped, thereby poisonous Cantharellus is often found in 



causing the Italians who are fond of it to rank grass and decaying herbage. It is. 



call it "oak tongue." or "chestnut ton- just the same color, but instead of being 



gue." If there is rain, it will soon grow smooth and waxy, it is covered with 



broad and deep red, but in dry weather down, and the ribs and veins are very 



I have watched specimens that hardly crowded and thin. 



grew a half inch in a week. Of course. We now come to that class of fungi 



when they are old, they are tougher than which has gills and which contains the 



the toughest old steer that the most un- more interesting species. They are all 



principled butcher would seek to palm called Aga?'icus or mushrooms, for the 



off on an innocent public, but when they word mushroom is the common name for 



are young and tender they may be fried any specimen of the great group Agari- 



in butter or minced with herbs, and make cus each with a different name, 

 really a very nice dish. There are in the group at least two 



I hear that this fungus grows quite hundred edible species, a great many that 



abundantly in Bronx Park. I have found are neither edible nor poisonous, simply 



it in several places on Long Island, and I disagreeable to the taste, and a certain 



have no doubt but that it may be found number that are deadly poison. To know 



in Prospect Park, although I have never them all requires an immense amount of 



happened to see it there. It is therefore study, but this is not necessary for an ac- 



by no means uncommon with us, and curate knowledge of a few, for if one will 



probably by diligent search on the stumps but notice carefully certain points, and 



of oak and chestnut, one might find con- not be led away by general resemblances 



siderable quantities of it near at hand. in shape and color, it will be possible to 



Cantharellus cibarius, is another edible be absolutely sure of a few species that 



fungus that does not belong to the class are good to eat and those that are notori- 



with true pores nor to those with gills; it ously dangerous. 



has a transition form which is provided In making a study of the fungi, it is 

 with ribs, and is therefore allied to the necessary after noting the size, shape and 

 fungi with true gills. This fungus might color of the specimen, and where it grew, 

 be called the edible golden cup fungus; if to jot down observations upon the posi- 

 its classical name were to be literally tion and character of the veil, also the 

 translated. It is eaten in some places in size and shape of the gills, whether they 

 Europe as a staple article of diet. Its are of equal or unequal length, also 

 appearance is quite characteristic, and it whether they change color as the mush- 

 is therefore easily recognized. It has a room grows older, or after it has been 

 stout, tough yellow stem, and a cup that picked, 

 will hold water, it is just about the color Still another point to be observed and 



