344 -^ P^"^ Remarks on Mushroom Phenomena. [Sess. 



diet. It is much more fleshy than the others, and can remain 

 in good condition much longer. The others are tougher, with 

 a rank odour and a poor flavour. 



A peculiar feature of the mushroom is seen in the entirely 

 opposite qualities possessed by members of the same genus. 

 The Marasmius oreades and the M. procerus are very much 

 alike, but one is very good for eating and the other is not. 

 The Agaricus orcella or vegetable sweetbread is palatable, 

 while the A. prunulus or plum mushroom is the reverse, 

 and so on. 



There is no royal road to distinguish the edible from the 

 poisonous mushroom. If it has a firm flesh and a pleasant 

 odour, and does not melt or change colour when cut or 

 bruised, and if taken at the proper time, then it may be 

 eaten with safety. Ignorance has often much to answer 

 for in cases of poisoning by mushrooms. Improper cooking 

 or gathering at a wrong season may render otherwise harm- 

 less mushrooms injurious, and keeping for a few hours has 

 frequently a similar effect. 



The reproductive capacity of at least some mushrooms is 

 probably unequalled by that of any other plant. All spores 

 require to be microscopically examined, but some are so 

 small as to be almost invisible even under a power of 

 350 diameters. 



The question of sex is still undetermined. Evidences are 

 plentiful of the presence of sporangia and zygospores in some 

 of the lower families, but all attempts have failed to show 

 sexual reproduction in the Hymenomycetes. 



One of the most striking properties of certain Fungi is 

 luminosity. Unfortunately, we in this country have to be 

 content with the humble touchwood when impregnated with 

 mycelium ; but in South America, Central America, Borneo, 

 Australia, and Southern Europe, some Agarics are remarkable 

 for their phosphorescence. One of the best known is the 

 Agaric of the olive, which throws out a very intense light. 

 Phosphorescent Agarics are not many in number. A. lampas 

 is found in Australia, A. igneus in Amboyna. In Brazil, Mr 

 Gardner found a beautiful Agaric growing on the decayed 

 leaves of a large palm. It is locally known as " Flor de 

 coco," and now bears his name. One writer describes a jungle 

 through which he passed as being one blaze of light, through 



