FUNGI. 17 



tribe are eagerly sought by all classes of men, and form the 

 chief, if not the sole diet of thousands, who would otherwise 

 be scantily provided with aliment. But fungi are not only 

 the tolerated food of the poorer classes ; they are also highly 

 prized by the rich man and the epicure. 



In Italy and Germany immense numbers of the various 

 species of this tribe are sold in the markets, and produce an 

 almost incredible amount of income. It is said that in Rome, 

 so important are the fungi as an article of commerce, there is 

 a public officer appointed to inspect those exposed for sale 

 and superintend this branch of the revenue ; for in that mart 

 a tax is laid on quantities exceeding ten pounds weight, 

 which may be offered for sale. All shipments brought to 

 Rome are weighed and sealed up, and those destined for the 

 day's consumption sent to a central depot. If, among the 

 contents of the baskets, any stale, maggot-eaten or dangerous 

 specimens are found, the}- are sent under escort and thrown 

 into the Tiber. Another remarkable circumstance is the law, 

 that if a specimen of the common mushroom be discovered, it 

 also is to be thrown into the river. Whatever the Romans 

 may say, the latter fungus is a delicious article of food, and 

 very rarely an injurious effect arises from partaking of them. 



All those more or less spherical fungi called puff balls, 

 furnished with a membranous, white covering, and filled, when 

 young, with a white, compact, homogeneous pulp, are fit to 

 eat. Personalh% when in good condition, the writer prefers 

 them to mushrooms. Their integument removed, they may be 

 cut in cubes and stewed, or sliced and fried like egg plant. 

 They are of delicate flavor and very nutritious. 



Several species abound in the vicinity of Media. The 

 pufT balls are frequently pre-empted by a sort of beetle, which 

 burrows therein, spoiling desirable specimens. It is said that 

 cows are partial to this variety of fungus. 



For the purpose of benumbing bees, dried puff balls have 

 been burned under hives, while the spoilers rifle them of their 

 hoarded treasure. In former days, as they will, when old. 



