256 NATURAL HISTORY. 



cometh out of apple trees, that hath an excellent 

 scent. Query, particularly for the manner of the 

 growth, and the nature of it. And for this experi 

 ment s sake, being a thing of price, I have set down 

 the last experiments how to multiply and call on 

 mosses. 



Next unto moss, I will speak of mushrooms ; 

 which are likewise an imperfect plant. The mush 

 rooms have two strange properties ; the one, that 

 they yield so delicious a meat ; the other, that they 

 come up so hastily, as in a night ; and yet they are 

 unsown. And therefore such as are upstarts in 

 state, they call in reproach mushrooms. It must 

 needs be, therefore, that they be made of much 

 moisture ; and that moisture fat, gross, and yet some 

 what concocted. And, indeed, we find that mush 

 rooms cause the accident which we call &quot; incubus,&quot; 

 or the mare in the stomach. And therefore the sur 

 feit of them may suffocate and empoison. And this 

 sheweth that they are windy ; and that windiness is 

 gross and swelling, not sharp or griping. And upon 

 the same reason mushrooms are a venerous meat. 



547. It is reported, that the bark of white or 

 red poplar, which are of the moistest of trees, cut 

 small, and cast into furrows well dunged, will cause 

 the ground to put forth mushrooms at all seasons of 

 the year fit to be eaten. Some add to the mixture 

 leaven of bread dissolved in water. 



548. It is reported, that if a hilly field, where 

 the stubble is standing, be set on fire in the showery 

 season, it will put forth great store of mushrooms. 



