337 . 



Professor L. C. Richard feel tlie prudence of this, that, although no one was 

 better acquainted with the distinctions of Pungi, he would never eat any 

 except such as had been raised in gardens in mushroom beds. One of the 

 most poisonous of 'our Fungi is the Amanita muscaria, so called from its 

 power of killing flies when steeped in milk. Even this is eaten in Kam- 

 chatka, with no other than intoxicating- effects, according to the following 

 account by Dr. LangsdorfF, as translated by Dr. Greville^ from whom I 

 borrow jt. 



" This variety of Amanita muscaria is used by the inhabitants of the 

 north-eastern parts of Asia in the same manner as wine, brandy, arrack, 

 opium, &c. is by other nations. These Fungi are found most plentifully 

 about Wischna, Kamchatka, and Wilkowa Derecona, and are very abundant 

 in some seasons, and scarce in others. They are collected in the hottest 

 months, and hung up by a string in the air to dry : sonie dry of themselves 

 on the ground, and are said to be far more narcotic than those artificially 

 preserved. Small deep-coloured specimens, thickly covered with warts, are 

 also said to be more powerful than those of a larger size and paler colour. 

 The usual mode of taking the Fungus is, to roll it up like a bolus, and 

 swallow it without chewing, which, the Kamchatkadales say, would dis- 

 order the stomach. It is sometimes eaten fresh in soups and sauces, and 

 then loses^ much of its intoxicating property : when steeped in the juice of 

 the berries of Vaccinium uliginosum, its effects are those of strong wine. 

 One large, or two small Fungi, is a common dose to produce a pleasant 

 intoxication for a whole day, particularly if water be drank after it, which 

 augments the narcotic principle. The desired effect comes on from one to 

 two hours after taking the Fungus. Giddiness and drunkenness result in 

 the same manner as from wine or spirits ; cheerfid emotions of the mind are 

 first produced ; the countenance becomes flushed ; involuntary words and 

 actions follow, and sometimes at last an entire loss of consciousness. It 

 renders some remarkably active, and proves highly stimulant to muscular 

 exertion : by too large a dose, violent spasmodic effects are produced. 

 So very exciting to the nervous system, in many individuals, is this 

 Fungus, that the effects are often very ludicrous. If a person under its 

 influence wishes to step over a straw or small stick, he takes a stride or 

 a jump ■ sufficient to clear the trunk of a tree ; a talkative person cannot 

 keep silence or secrets; and one fond of music is perpetually singing. 

 The most singular effect of the Amanita is the influence it possesses over 

 the urine. It is said that, from time imniemorial, the inhabitants have 

 known that the Fungus imparts an intoxicating" quality to that secretion, 

 which continues for a considerable time after taking it. For instance, a 

 man moderately intoxicated to day will, by the next morning, have slept 

 himself sober, but (as is the custom), by taking a teacup of his urine 

 he will be more powerfully intoxicated than he was the preceding day. 

 It is, therefore, not uncommon for confirmed drunkards to preserve their 

 urine as a precious liquor against a scarcity of the Fungus. This intoxicat- 

 ing property of the urine is capable of being propagated; for every one who 

 partakes of it has his urine similarly affected. Thus, with a very few Ama- 

 nitse, a party of drunkards may keep up their debauch for a week. Dr. 

 Langsdorf mentions, that by means of the second person taking the urine of 

 the first, the third that of the second, and so on, the intoxication may be 

 propagated through five individuals," 



Of parasitical Fungi, the most important are those which are called dry 

 rot, such as Polyporus destructor, Merulius lacrymans and vastator, &c., 

 which are the pest of wooden constructions ; next to these come the blight 



