Xin.] ABOUT FUNGI. 193 



triumph of its enemy. This fungus was formerly 

 known under the name of Empusa musccz, though it 

 is now known to be only a terrestrial condition of a 

 species of Saprolegnia, the fungi which attack fish, 

 covering them with a coat of white threads. 



But if fungi are enemies of insects, insects retaliate 

 by making food of fungi. Many beetles are alto- 

 gether dependent upon fungi in this respect, and the 

 Coleoptetist knows that large numbers of them may 

 be obtained by simply breaking open or shaking 

 various fungi. Man, too, who suffers greatly, as we 

 have seen, from the effects of fungi, gets some good 

 from them by using them as food. But we may safely 

 say that comparatively little of the abundant supply 

 of wholesome species of fungi is used for food. With 

 the exception of a few well-known species, which are 

 sold under the general title of mushrooms and truffles, 

 the public are afraid of them. Nor is this fear with- 

 out foundation, for, as is well known, many species 

 are deadly poisonous in their effects upon the human 

 system when taken as food. But there is no doubt 

 that prejudice has more to do with the matter than 

 fear, for if prejudice were absent mankind would have 

 found out long ago which species were to be avoided 

 and which eaten. As it is, the harvest of the woods 

 and pastures is gathered only by the privileged few 

 the fungologists, who can distinguish the species. 

 These authorities give us particulars as to the flavour 

 and tenderness of the several species that must make 

 the mouth of the tyro water. Dr. Badham, our high- 

 est authority upon edible fungi, says : 



" I have this autumn myself witnessed whole 



N 



