XIII.) ABOUT FUNGI. 193 
triumph of its enemy. This fungus was formerly 
known under the name of Empusa musce, though it 
is now known to be only a terrestrial condition of a 
species of Safrolegnia, the fungi which attack fish, 
covering them with a coat of white threads. 
But if fungi are enemies of insects, insects retaliate 
by making food of fungi. Many beetles are alto- 
gether dependent upon fungi in this respect, and the 
Coleopterist knows that large numbers of them may 
be obtained by simply breaking open or shaking 
various fungi. Man, too, who suffers greatly, as we 
have seen, from the effects of fungi, gets some good 
from them by using them as food. But we may safely 
say that comparatively little of the abundant supply 
of wholesome species of fungi is used for food. With 
the exception of a few well-known species, which are 
sold under the general title of mushrooms and truffles, 
the public are afraid of them. Nor is this fear with- 
out foundation, for, as is well known, many species 
are deadly poisonous in their effects upon the human 
system when taken as food. But there is no doubt 
that prejudice has more to do with the matter than 
fear, for if prejudice were absent mankind would have 
found out long ago which species were to be avoided 
and which eaten. As it is, the harvest of the woods 
and pastures is gathered only by the privileged few 
—the fungologists, who can distinguish the species. 
These authorities give us particulars as to the flavour 
and tenderness of the several species that must make 
the mouth of the tyro water. Dr. Badham, our high- 
est authority upon edible fungi, says :— 
“JT have this autumn myself witnessed whole 
N 
