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Experiments upon Mushrooms. 29 
phuric acid, a white coagulum is formed, which upon agitation 
renders the liquor milky. 
Although this saccharine principle be more soluble in water 
than in alcohol, it is nevertheless not more so than common 
sugar, and it crystallizes much more easily than the latter. 
I was at first inclined to think that this kind of sugar was si- 
milar to that which M. Foureroy and I discovered in the a/ga, 
melon, onion, and manna: but as M. Braconnot assures us that the 
sugar of the above plants ferments, whereas that of mushsooms 
does not, I forbear giving an epinion until I obtain a quantity 
large enough to verify the fact. In the mean time I regard the 
sugar of mushrooms as being sui generis. 
Examination of the extractive Matter of the mushroom which 
was insoluble in Alcohol. 
We have already shown that, by treating the extract with 
alcohol, the ety was divided into two portions, ene of which 
was di ssolved, and the other remained at the bottom: it is of the 
latter that we shall now speak. 
It is of a deep brown colour, and has a decided and rather 
pleasant taste of mushrooms. Its solution in water is abundantly 
precipitated by the infusion of gall-nuts, as well as by. the nitrate 
of silver: when evaporated into a syrupy consistence, it furnishes 
crystals of a pungent taste, but entangled in the extractive matter. 
As it appeared to be impossible to separate these crystals se 
as to have them pure, a portion of the matter which contained 
them was burnt in a platina crucible. 
sae following, phenomena: were then exhibited: Ist, A bubbling 
eok place on account of the humidity which still remained, and 
a a agreeable smell of mushrgoms was emitted. 2d, After- 
wards ammonia was sent out in such quantities, that it affected 
the eyes and nostrils, and instantly revived the colour in turnsole 
paper which had been reddened by an acid and moistened. 
3d, It furnished a charcoal easily incinerated, and which left an 
abundant grayish ash, the taste of which was salt and pungent. 
4th, These ashes were almost entirely dissolved in water, there 
remaining only some slight molecules of charcoal. The reagents 
indicated that the salts contained in the lixivium of these ashes 
were the phosphate, the muriate, and the carbonate of potash. 
If it he asked, what is the nature of this substance? does it 
belong to a species already known in the organic kingdoms? or 
is ita peculiar and new composition? I can scarcely answer 
the questions in a satisfactory manner. 
M. Braconnot found, it is true, in mushrooms, gelatine and 
animal mucus; but when I compare this substance with either of 
the above, | find no perfect identity. In fact, gelatine properly 
evaporated 
