G5 



recited. Tliere are mimerous varieties of it iu fields and gardens and 

 along our roadsides, but were its value as an article of food better 

 known it would be extensively cultivated and largely take the place of 

 meat on our tables, as it contains nearly as much nutrition, pound for 

 pound, as our best beefsteak. At present only a few of its forms are 

 gathered, and large quantities go to decay through ignorance of their 

 value. 



The next figure is a life like representation of the tall cylindrical 

 agai-ic (Co2)i-inus comatus), which is another common and e'sculent 

 •species. In the latter part of last September this species was a very 

 prominent object on many lawns in the western part of the city, grow- 

 ing in groups or singly, and often throwing up stems nearly a foot 

 high. No one seemed to touch it, and bushels of them went to vv^aste 

 for want of collectors. This species is highly nutritions and quite as 

 palatable as the mushroom, and is apparently better suited for catsup, 

 as it contains a gveat deal of juice, and if allowed to become old soon 

 melts away. In passing to decay, like all the genus (coprinus), it dis- 

 solves into a black fluid. Rhind says : "If this be collected and boiled 

 with a little water, and a few cloves added to prevent it getting mouldy 

 in keeping, and passed through a filter, it furnishes an excellent bistre 

 for painting." 



Numerous other species of agarics might be cited and dwelt upon, 

 hnt time will not permit of anything but a passing notice, which I can 

 best do by explaining these beautiful drawings furnished by " our 

 artist," whom I am happy to see amongst us to-night. 



(A collection of watei- colour paintings by Mrs. Chamberlin was 

 here exhibited.) 



Another section of this vast family is represented by the morel 

 {Morchella esculenta), which diff'ers from the agaric in having, in com- 

 mon with all the lower forms of fungi, their whole interior, though 

 often of a very large size, filled with a multitude of asci (elongated 

 sacs), enclosing single or double sporules such as are found in lichens. 

 This fact has caused some late writers to claim a closer connection be- 

 tween fungi and lichens than I am able with my limited knowledge to 

 perceive. 



