4- FUNGI. 



the southern hemisphere, and a kind of Pachyma is known in 

 V^an Diemen's Land by the name of " native bread." 



The Kamtschatkans and Coriacks use Agaricns mnscarhis, or 

 a nearly allied species, to produce intoxication^ which often 

 amounts to absolute delirium, and it is most remarkable that the 

 narcotic property is communicated to the urine of the person 

 vvho partakes of it. which is in consequence carefully preserved 

 when the species is scarce, for the renewal of these disgusting 

 orgies. 



The medical uses of Fungiy are probably of far greater 

 importance than their present very limited application might 

 lead us to suppose. Several, which were formerly in high 

 reputation for their active properties, are now altogether ne- 

 glected or forgotten. Dufresnoy is said to have used Agaricus 

 emeticus with success in the early stage of consumption, and 

 doubtless if they were more studied, many of the active species 

 might afford valuable remedies. However this may be, one, at 

 least, the Ergot, is a highly powerful and invaluable specific, 

 causing, as it does, a contraction of the uterus. It is most 

 curious that this production, when occurring in great abundance 

 among Rye, as it does frequently where that grain is extensively 

 cultivated, and unavoidably composing a considerable part of the 

 bread, gives rise to one of the most fearful and distressing 

 diseases with which the human race is afflicted, in which the 

 limbs gradually waste away with horrible pain, and eventually 

 fall off. Tlie same effect was produced, some years ago, in the 

 neighbourhood of Bury St. Edmunds, upon several members of 

 a family who had lived upon bread made from damaged Wheat. 

 In this case, however, it is not at all clearly proved that the 

 evil effects did not rise more from decomposition of the corn 

 than from the presence o^ ergot, a circumstance highly curious, 

 if correct, and rendered somewhat probable by cases which 

 have occurred of dreadful illness, from the use of bread made of 

 musty flour, which in a few hours was infested with mould, the 

 fungi, however, proving perfectly innocuous, though the use of 

 the bread itself was attended by the most alarming symptoms. 



The liaplanders employ Polyporus fomentarius and some other 

 species, which when beaten and steeped in saltpetre form most 

 excellent tinder, known by the name of Amadou^ to remove 

 pain, by simply laying a small piece upon the part affected and 

 igniting it. It is said that this remedy seldom fails. Amadou 

 is also sometimes used like the soft contents of pvff balls as a 

 styptic, and forms occasionally a material for paper-making. 

 When used, however, for stopping blood, it must be free from 

 saltpetre. 



In the economy of the world. Fungi perform a most impor- 

 tant office in hastening the decomposition of dead organized 



