38 FUNGALES. [Thallogens. 



are not confounded under the same name ; in the next place, chmate may make a 

 difference ; and lastly, much depends upon the mode in which they are cooked. Upon 

 this subject Delile observes, that it was ascertained by Paulet, m 1776, that salt and 

 vinegar removed every deleterious principle from that most poisonous plant the Agari- 

 cus bulbosus ; that it is the universal practice in Russia to salt the Fvmgi, and that this 

 may be the cause of then- harmlessness, just as the pickhng and subsequent washing of 

 the poisonous Agaric of the OUve renders it eatable in the Cevennes ; but that, never- 

 theless, it is much wiser to run no risk with unknown Fungi, even takmg such precau- 

 tions — a remark to which he was led by the lamentable death of a French officer and 

 his wife, in consequence of breakfastmg off some poisonous Agarics, which were never- 

 theless eaten by other persons m the same house with impunity. It was probable that 

 in that case a difference in the cooking was the cause of the difference m the effect of 

 the Fungi ; but it was a sufficient ground for distrusting all Fungi except the cultivated 

 ones. So strongly did the late Professor L. C. Richard feel the prudence of this, that 

 although no one was better acquainted with the distinctions of Fungi, 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 

 killuig flies when steeped in niilk. Even this is eaten in Kamchatka, with no other than 

 intoxicating effects, according to the followmg accomit by Langsdorf, as translated by 

 Greville, from whom I borrow it : — 



*' This variety of Amanita muscaria is used by the inhabitants of the north-eastern 

 parts of Asia m the same maimer as wine, brandy, arrack, opium, &c. is by other 

 nations. Such 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 stiing in the au' to dry ; 

 some 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 hke a bolus, and swallow it without cheA^ing, 

 which, the Kamchatkadales say, would disorder 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 uligmosum, its effects are those of 

 strong wine. One large, or two small Fungi, are a common doze to produce a pleasant 

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

 narcotic ]>rinciple. The desu'ed effect comes on from one to two hours after taking 

 the Fimgus. Giddmess and drunkenness result in the same manner as from wine or 

 spirits ; cheerful 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, Aaolent 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 talka- 

 tive 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 m^me. 

 It is said that, from time immemorial, the inhabitants have known that the Fmigus 

 imparts an intoxicating quahty 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 then' lu'ine as a precious 

 liquor against a scarcity of the Fungus. The intoxicating property of the urine is 

 capable of being propagated ; for every one who partakes of it has his ui'ine similarly 

 affected. Thus, with a very few Amanitce, 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 of the second, and so on, the intoxication may be 

 propagated through five mdividuals." 



It is vmiversally known that the common Agaric is cultivated with as much certainty 

 by good gardeners as any other vegetable. The excellent Boletus eduHs has been 

 partially cultivated in the south of France by inclosing a portion of a wood, and water- 

 ing the ground with water in which the tubes had been steeped. Borcli raised Tuber 

 \ Borchiifrom the sporidia about the year 1780, and the growth of the common Truffle has 

 been attempted with more or less success. Mr. Drummond has sent over the spawn of 

 a large variety of Agaricus campestris from the Swan River, which he says is as far 

 superior to the common mushroom as the improved peas to the old varieties, and it has 

 been submitted to Mr. J. Henderson, but it is feared that it is too old to run. 



