34 MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



The same observations, with varied details, have been made by others, par- 

 ticularly by Langsdorff, who traveled around the world with the Russian 

 navigator Krusenstern from 1803 to 1806, and in more recent times by Kennan 

 in his first Siberian journey of 1865-67. 



"The plant may be taken fresh, but its taste is so disagreeable that only 

 with great difficulty can a sufficient amount be eaten to produce the intoxicating 

 effect. The Koraks have two principal methods of taking it : First, by swallow- 

 ing pieces of the dried caps without chewing them; second, by boiling the dry 

 caps in water and then drinking the liquor thus produced mixed with the juice 

 of berries or herbs to disguise the taste. The intensity of the poisonous 

 character of the fly amanita undoubtedly varies at different ages, with different 

 individuals, and with different methods of preparation. The amount of the 

 poison that can be taken into the system with impunity varies, too, with the 

 person who takes it. The fact that a Korak, who has long used the plant as 

 an intoxicant, can eat ten specimens and merely become drunk, does not prove 

 that a similar number would not be fatal to an American who had never eaten 

 it before. 



"Very diverse statements concerning the properties of this fungus have been 

 recorded. While some have attributed to it edible qualities, others have as- 

 serted that it is a most active poison and has caused numerous accidents by 

 being confused with the Orange amanita. It is said to have caused death even 

 when eaten in small quantities, and again it is said to have been eaten in 

 abundance without any evil results. According to Quelet, it acts as a cathartic 

 if eaten in small quantity, but causes death if eaten freely. One of my own 

 correspondents assures me that he has eaten of the yellow variety, Var. formosa, 

 without evil results, and that he regards it as very good. But there is no 

 disputing the fact that the species possesses intoxicating and poisonous prop- 

 erties. It has long had the reputation of possessing properties fatal to flies 

 that sip its juice. This suggests the names muscaria, Fly amanita, Fly agaric 

 and Fly killer by which it is known. I have myself seen the cap of a single 

 specimen surrounded by a circle of lifeless flies that had sipped the viscid 

 juice from its moist surface and fallen victims to its virulent properties before 

 leaving the place of their fatal repast. 



"Some have attempted an explanation of the contradictory statements 

 concerning this plant by supposing that its poisonous properties are not always 

 developed, that in some localities or under favorable circumstances it is harm- 

 less. This explanation violates our sense of the constancy of Nature, and is 

 not at all satisfactory. In the case of my own correspondent, the caps were 

 peeled before cooking. May it not be that much of the noxious quality resides 

 in the epidermis and the viscid substance upon it, and that by discarding this 

 the dish is rendered less dangerous? In some cases it is said that those who 

 eat it freely and without harm boil it a long time in water and throw away 

 the water. In this way, doubtless, much of the poison is abstracted. Long 

 soaking in salt and water, also in vinegar, have been recommended as a means 

 of rendering suspected or noxious species harmless, and may have been prac- 

 ticed in some of the cases in which this fungus has been eaten with impunity. 

 Whatever may be the explanation of the contradictory statements, the only 

 safe way is to consider this species as deleterious and avoid its use under all 

 circumstances. There is no need of taking any risks, with suspected species, 



