158 JBotan^ 



edible specimens " mushrooms," and the rest " toad- 

 stools," the number of poisonous or of edible in- 

 stances so named depending rather upon the amount 

 of knowledge of the collector than upon the real 

 qualities of the fungi, for many denominate as 

 " toad-stools " what others know to be an excellent 

 food. 



Many varieties not usually eaten are wholesome, 

 and many wdiich human beings reject other animals 

 thrive upon. One large, brown " toad-stool " of the 

 woods is, in its season, the chief food of the wood- 

 tortoise. 



The truffle is a rich, expensive food-article, a fun- 

 gus growing generally under ground. It is much 

 used in flavoring dishes, and is never plentiful, as 

 demand always outruns supply. Dogs and pigs are 

 trained to hunt truffles by the scent. The animals 

 run along with their noses to the ground until they 

 find a truffle bed. They are rewarded by a piece of 

 cheese, which encourages them to continue the hunt 

 and not dig up the dainty for themselves. The 

 truffle is roundish, dark colored, rough skinned, 

 white in the interior, and of strong odor. Some 

 truffles are strawberry or apple scented, others have 

 a decided smell of onion or garlic. 



In general a fungus may be defined as a thallo- 

 phyte without any chlorophyl or leaf-green in its 



