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determine tlie species. M. Leveille seems to think that the fungi 

 inculpated by the Medical Gazefte may very likely have been 

 abnormally large specimens of Ag. dypeolarius, which might 

 possibly have been mistaken for Aff. procerus. I cannot say that 

 I think M. Leveille's suggestion probable. Aff. clypeolarius 

 differs so much in colour that it could hardly be mistaken for 

 Ag. procerus. I think it not at all unlikely tliat large specimens 

 of Ag. cristahis might be so mistaken, and the smell of this latter 

 species is so very disagreeable, that I can quite imagine its being 

 of a poisonous nature. 



Agaricus rubcscens is another species which is frequently 

 eaten. It occurs in much larger quantities than Ag. procerus, 

 but is (in my opinion at least) very inferior to Ag. procerus in 

 flavour. Still it is well worth cooking, and when the mushroom 

 or Ag. procerus, cannot be had it may well be used as a substitute. 

 One objection to it is the difficulty of getting perfectly sound 

 specimens. It is so infested with small larvse that every speci- 

 men requires to be cut down to the stalk in order to ascertain 

 that it is not " worm-eaten." The larvfe do not appear externally 

 but burrow in the soft fleshy pileus and stipes. 



I have spoken of A. procerus and A. rulescens in succession 

 to the mushroom, because they are all allied in botanical classi- 

 fication, belonging as they do to the great division Agaricini; but 

 there are two fungi both of which as esculents are equal if not 

 superior to A. jn-ocerus, and far above A. ruhescens. I allude to 

 the Giant puff-ball and the Truffle. These two belong to the 

 division Gasteromycetes, in which the organs of fructification are 

 internal, not on the surface, as in the Agaracini. It is somewhat 

 surprising how very few people seem to be aware of the good 

 qualities of the Giant puff-ball {Lgcoperdon giganteum). It is 

 not a common plant by any means. If it were generally met 

 with I am sure its virtues would be appreciated. It must be 

 gathered precisely at one particular stage of growth, viz., before 

 the spores (or seeds) have begun to ripen. At this period it 

 consists of a large white spongy mass of tissue enveloped in a 

 delicate outer skin, which resembles the very finest white kid. 

 It attains an enormous size, being often considerably larger than 

 a man's head. When gathered at the right time it should, when 

 sliced acro.ss, exhibit a pure white colour. If there is any tinge 



