262 Alycological Biillrfin Nos. 65 and 66 [Vol. IV 



name for Lentinus. To the genus Phyllotus, he ascribes two, to Geo- 

 pefalum three, and to Crcpidotus one species — all of these being the old 

 genus Pleurotus. Other new species are Galera, three representatives; 

 Gymnochihis (which is another name for Hypholoma), with, five species; 

 Stropharia, with two species; PhoUotima (representing former Pholiota), 

 with one species, and finally Pholiota cubensis. 



USES OF MUSHROOMS. 

 Geo. F. Atkinson, Cornell University. 



The most prominent and at present important use of mus'hrooms 

 from the standpoint of the utilitarian is as an article of food. We have 

 now learned that their food value as a nutrient substance is not so great 

 as has been fondly supposed, but, as Mr. Clark points out in Chapter 

 XXII, in addition to the value they certainly do possess as food, they 

 have very great value as condiments or food accessories, and "their value 

 as such is beyond the computation of the chemist or physiologist. They 

 are among the most appetizing of table delicacies, and add greatly to 

 the palatabiKty of many foods when cooked with them." Mushrooms 

 undoubtedly possess a food value beyond that attributed to them by the 

 chemist or physiologist, since it is not nossible in laboratory analysis to 

 duplicate the conditions which exist in the natural digestion and assimila- 

 tion of foods. 



Probably the larger number of persons, in America, at present inter- 

 ested in mushrooms, are chiefly concerned with them as an article of 

 food, but a great many of these persons love to tramp to the fields and 

 woods in quest of them just as the sportsman loves to hunt his game 

 with dog and gun. It is quite likely that there will always be a large 

 body of persons who will maintain a lively interest in the collection of 

 game mushrooms for food. There are several reasons for this. The 

 zest of the search, the pleasure of discovery, and the healthfulness of the 

 outdoor recreation, lend an appetizing flavor to the fruits of the chase, 

 not to be obtained I)y purchasing a few pounds of cultivated mushrooms 

 on the market. It cultivates powers of observation, and arouses a 

 sympathetic feeling t(;\vard nature, and with those outdoor environ- 

 ments of man whicli lend themselves so happily in bettering and bright- 

 ening life, as well as in prolonging it. 



Many others are dis-overii g that the observation of form and habits 

 of mushrooms is a very interesting occupation for those who have short 

 periods of time at their disposal weekly. It requires but a little observa- 

 tion to convince one that tl-cre is an interesting variety of form among 

 th.ese plants, that tiieir growth and expansion operate in conformity with 

 certain laws wiiicli result ir yreat variation in form and habit of the 

 nimierous kinds <in t!ie j4:(',ui(l, on leaves, on branches, on tree trunks, 

 etc. — Mu.'iliroinrs. lic'ihlc. !'< i.sntuius. etc. 



