370 Dr. Macbride's Account of the Lycoperdon soUdum. 



specimens, divided transversely, it uniformly cracks in lines per- 

 pendicular to the surface. In a solitary specimen, which was 

 very large, I observed something like a disposition of the inter- 

 nal substance in concentric laminae; but I have macerated many 

 specimens in water, and corroded them by acids, without disco- 

 vering that such a structure really obtains. 



The Tuckahoe newly dug up contains little moisture, and soon 

 becomes very hard if kept in a dry place; but in a situation un- 

 favourable to evaporation, a fine white bj'ssus issues from it and 

 envelops it. I have seldom, if ever, seen it undergo any change 

 resembling putrefaction. When exposed a long time to the 

 weather, it crumbles, assumes a ferruginous colour, and becomes 

 acidulous to the taste. The internal substance moistened with 

 water feels slippery. When dried particles of it are pressed be- 

 tween the teeth, they have a cohesive effect ; when moistened with 

 water and spread over a hot surface, they form a tough elastic; 

 pellicle, which, if exposed to a greatei- degree of heat, blackens, 

 froths, and emits a smell resembling that of burning bread. When 

 an infusion of galls is added to water in which the tuber has been 

 macerated, a copious white precipitate is thrown down. Sul- 

 phuric acid dissolves it, and acquires a purple colour, which in a 

 few days deepens into a black. Water added to this solution 

 causes a dark, flaky precipitate. 



From such experiments as I have made with this fungus, I 

 ^m led to believe its internal part is chiefly composed of gluten, 

 but differently modified from that which we obtain from the 

 Cerealia. I have not succeeded in procuring from it any starch or 

 ^brous matter. 



In some specimens I have observed portions of the internal 

 substance loose and friable. These were always saccharine and 

 acidulous to the taste. 



I am 



