CuAi'. XXX.] MUSHUOOM-CULTUIIE IN CAVES UNDER PARIS. 505 



Mouth cf Mushroom-cave at Montrougc. 



CHAPTER XXX. 



Mushroom-culture in Caves under Paris. 



MusHROOM-CriiowiXG {IS Carried on beneath Paris and its environs 

 is the most interesting example of cultivation under difficulties 

 of which we have any knowledge ! To get a fair idea of it it is 

 necessary to visit one of the " Mushroom-caves " at Montrouge, 

 just outside the fortifications, on the southern side of Paris. 

 The surface of the ground is mostly cropped with Wheat ; but 

 liere and there lie blocks of white stone, which have recently 

 been brought to the surface through well-like openings, the 

 stone being mined like coal. We find a Mushroom-grower after 

 some trouble, and he accompanies us across some fields to the 

 entrance of his subterranean garden. Through the circular 

 opening or mouth of the pit protrudes the head of a thick pole 

 with sticks thrust through it. This pole, the base of which rests 

 in darkness sixty feet below, is the only road into the cavern. 

 Down the shaky pole we creep, and soon reach the bottom, from 

 which narrow passages radiate. A few small lamps fixed on 

 pointed sticks are placed below, and, arming ourselves with one 

 each, we commence slowly exploring tortuous passages dark as 

 night and perfectly still. The passages are so low that frequently 

 we have to stoop to avoid the pointed stones in the roof. On 

 each hand there are little narrow beds of liulf-decomposed stable- 



