58 A PLAIN AND EASY ACCOUNT 



not common. When found, it generally occurs in woods, 

 and will attain a diameter of four inches. It is of a 

 golden tawny colour, and the crowded gills, which are at 

 first white, become ultimately yellowish. The milk in 

 this species is abundant and white, wherein it differs 

 from the preceding. There is a more common species of 

 Lactarius, found generally in fir plantations, with a 

 darker coloured reddish pileus and white milk ; but it is 

 acrid and disagreeable to the taste, whereas the milk of 

 L. wlemum is mild. 



It would be well to guard carefully against the 

 red species, as it is certainly dangerous ; and should 

 the colour not be sufficiently decided to satisfy the col- 

 lector, the taste will at once set the matter at rest. If 

 the reader has ever inadvertently masticated the leaf, or 

 a portion of the root of that common hedge-side plant 

 called locally " Lords and Ladies " (Arum maculatum), 

 he will have experienced some such a sensation as would 

 have resulted from the mastication of a portion of one 

 of the acrid milky fungi to which we have alluded. 



Lactarius volemum has been celebrated from the 

 earliest times, and when properly prepared is said to 

 resemble lamb's kidney. The method employed is to 

 mince as many as may be required and fry them in 

 a pan with a piece of butter, stirring them about mean- 

 while : when done, strew over them salt and pepper, 

 parsley chopped fine, a small portion of shalot, and 

 a little flour. Add, finally, a glass of champagne (or 

 perry will answer nearly as well), and a little of the 

 juice of a lemon, and cayenne. 



