716 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



disease called Dry Rot, which occurs in wood, is especially 

 caused by dampness, and the subsequent development of the 

 spores of fungi, as those of MeruUus lacrymans and vastator, and 

 PoJyporus destructor, Sfc. The di^erent kinds of ISIoulds which 

 are found on bread, cheese, preserves, fruits, paper, books, &c. 

 are fungi of the species Mucor, Botrytis, Aspergillus, Peni- 

 cillium, Oidium, &c. The following fungi require a more par- 

 ticular notice : — 



Agartcus. — Agaricus campestris, the Common Mushroom {figs. 824 and 

 825) and its varieties^ A Georgii, A. mvensis, A. oreades, the Champignon, 

 A. deUciosus, and A. procerus, §-c., are largely used for food in this and other 

 parts of the world. The subterranean mycelium of various species of 

 Agaricus, as that of A. oreades, prunulus, Orcella, campestris, £fc., and that 

 of allied genera, deveioiies in a radiating manner, aid, by the remains acting 

 subsequently as a manure, causes the grass in our meadows, in such 

 places, to grow in a very luxuriant manner in rings, whch are commonly called 

 fairy rings. 



Amanita niuscaria is a very poisonous species. It possesses narcotic and 

 intoxicating properties, and is much used in Kamtschatka and some other 

 parts of the Russian empire, as a narcotic and intoxicating a^ent. It possesses 

 the remarkable property of imparting its intoxicating effects to the fluid 

 excretions of those who partake of it. This fungus, when steeped in 

 milk, &c., acts as a poison to flies ; hence its specific name. 



Boletus edulis is an edible fungus, which is much esteemed in Italy, &c. 



Cyttaria Darwinii and Berteroi are also employed for food, the former in 

 Terra del Fuego, and the latter in Chili. 



Lycoperdon, the Puffbalis When the Lycoperdon giganteum is submitted 



to combustion, the volatile emanations arising from it possess a narcotic 

 property. It has been employed in this way to stupify bees when removing 

 honey from the hive, and has been also recommended as an anaesthetic agent 

 instead of chloroform. A similar property is also possessed by some other 

 species. 



Meruliiis lacrymans and vastator are two of the Fungi which occur in the 

 disease called Dry Rot. (See above.) 



Polyporus.—P. destructor is one of the Fungi found in the Dry Rot of wood. 

 (See Merulius ) Thin slices of P. igniarius .md. foriientarius, when softened 

 by beating with a mallet, are sometimes employed externally to restrain 

 haemorrhage. Similarly prepared slices, soaked in a solution of nitre, and 

 dried, constitute Amadou or German tinder. When impregnated also with 

 gunpowder, it forms black amadou. Amadou has been sometimes used to give 

 support and pressure in certain surgical affections, and as a moxa. P. squamosus. 

 and bctulinus, when pressed, sliced, and prepared by rubbing with pumice, &c., 

 are used to make razi r strops. P. officinalis. Larch or White Agaric, has 

 been employed externally as an astringent; and internally, to check perspira- 

 tion, and as an emetic, cathartic, \c. 



Tuber, the Truffle The species of Truffle, several of which occur in 



Britain, are subterranean. They are highly esteemed as seasoning or flavouring 

 agents. The best are imported from France, Algeria, and Italy, preserved 

 commonly in oil. T. cestivum, cibarium, mclanosporum are the more fre- 

 quently used species. 



Mytitla australis is called Native Bread in Australia, where it is maoh used 

 as food Jjy the natives. U frequently weighs from one to three pounds. One 

 or more species, nearly allied to Mylitta australis, are also used in China for 

 food and as medicines. 



Pachyma Cocos, P'ries, is another fungus, allied to Mylitta, which is 

 highly esteemed as a food and medicine by the natives of China, &c., and the 

 Indians of the United States of North America. It is the Tuckahoe or 

 Indian Bread of the United States. 



Elaphamyccs granulatus and muricatus are sold in Covent Garden Market 

 under the name of Lycoperdon Nuts. They are supposed to possess 

 aphrodisiac propertie«, and to promote parturition, and the secretion of milk. 



Morchella esculcnta, the Morel, is a highly esteemed edible fungus, which 



