258 FOOTNOTES FROM 



with water. These may be phytozoa, being connected 

 in some mysterious manner with the reproduction of the 

 plant. It is sufficient to mention that this singular 

 group of Agarics contains some of the most poisonous 

 and deadly of all fungi, and that all the species are pos- 

 sessed more or less of the same acrid and narcotic pro- 

 perties, to justify caution in the use of the two members 

 of the group quoted by Badham as esculent, however 

 bland and agreeable they may sometimes be found. 

 With regard to the other species mentioned by this 

 author, they may be used with perfect safety, having 

 stood the test of a pretty long and general experi- 

 ence. Of the Boletus edulis, common in woods and 

 pastures all summer and autumn, and easily known by 

 its broad, smooth, dark umber cap, and white tubes 

 and fawn-coloured stipe, Mr. Berkeley observes : 

 " Though neglected in this country, it appears to be 

 a most valuable article of food. It resembles very 

 much in taste the common mushroom, and is quite as 

 delicate, and might be used with much advantage, as it 

 abounds in seasons when a mushroom is scarcely to be 

 found. Like that, it can be cultivated, but by a much 

 more simple process, as it is merely necessary to moisten 

 the ground under oak-trees with water in which a 

 quantity has been allowed to ferment. The only pre- 

 caution requisite is to fence in the portion of ground 

 destined for its production, as deer and pigs are very fond 

 of it. This method is said to be infallible, and is 

 practised in France in the De'parternent des Landes." 



Next to the common mushroom, the morell (Morchella 

 esculenta, Fig. 33) is everywhere esteemed as a valuable 



