82 



aud a peppery flavour, have all been given as tests of insecurity. 

 These again are quite fallacious. In many countries milky fungi 

 (even Ladarius acris itself), are eaten with impunity, and 

 Lacfarivs deliciosus, which is admittedly one of the best of edible 

 fungi, and which is of rather a bright orange colour, turns dai-k 

 green directly after it is broken or rubbed. The common 

 Chautarelle which, in France and at the Freemasons' Tavern, is 

 considered a delicacy, and also Hydnum rejMndum, a species 

 which is universally eaten, both have an acrid peppery taste 

 when raw. 



At the present day it would not, I think, be denied that, as 

 regards all fungi of which the properties are unknown, there is 

 absolutely no test but experience, to shew whether the species is 

 wholesome or otherwise. It may be interesting to mention a few 

 instances of the actual effects of those fungi which have been 

 found by experience to be poisonous. I have already alluded to 

 Ergot of Rye and its great value as a medicine. In medical cases 

 it is used in a powdered form, and in very small quantities; but 

 where the Rye in any district has been affected to a great extent 

 with Ergot, and has been ground up aud made into bread, an 

 epidemic of a serious gangrenous disease has been the result. 



The Russians eat all sorts of poisonous fungi, but not 

 without previous treatment which takes away all flavour. M. 

 Letellier, who has paid great attention to the subject, says that 

 it is always possible to prevent being poisoned by fungi if you 

 deprive the plant of its noxious principle by prolonged maceration 

 in fresh or salt water, or in a water mixed with vinegar or alcohol. 

 These facts, M. Letellier says, the Russians have known for time 

 out of mind (de toute I'eternite), but, he adds, the maceration 

 deprives the fungi of the consistence and aroma which gourmands 

 appreciate, and leaves only a viscous, insipid, nauseous substance, 

 of use only to soothe the pangs of hunger of Muscovite stomachs. 



The poison of the acrid milky fungi, belonging to the genus 

 Lacfarius, and of the deleterious species of the genus Russida, 

 appears to act simply by contact. The observations of cases of 

 poisoning by these fungi, both in man and in animals, have 

 shewn the existence of gastro-cnteritis in a more or less severe 

 form, without absorption, and without any direct action upon 

 the nervous svstera. 



