56 MYCOPHAGY. 



merits attention from all lovers of good things, for no ' 

 fungus yields a richer gravy, and when- grilled it is 

 scarcely to be distinguished from grilled meat. 



But we must desist, our savoury theme not half dis- 

 cussed. The question for our readers to decide is, 

 shall they feast upon funguses, or fast out of mere pre- 

 judice, with the despised bounties of Providence sur- 

 rounding them in profusion ? But there are not a few, 

 perad venture, who will both study and eat funguses. 

 The doing of both with advantage may be insured by 

 carefully perusing the works now introduced to their 

 notice. Mrs Hussey's splendid work evinces her rare 

 powers of pictorial delineation ; Berkeley is an autho- 

 rity in scientific mycology ; while Badham, being both 

 Keverend and M.D., is learned, witty, and jocose. 

 Knowing the seductiveness of fungal fare, he not only 

 prescribes medically in the case of accidental poisoning, 

 but also preaches moderation like a Christian divine. 

 Listen, reader, and it shall be well with thee ! 

 "Nine-tenths of dyspeptics become so from over-feed- 

 ing. Whilst it is an acknowledged fact that infants 

 are over-fed, and that all children over-feed, men are 

 by no means so prone or willing to admit that gluttony 

 is perhaps the very last of childish things that they are 

 in the habit of putting away from them. But, then, 

 though funguses are not to be considered unwholesome, 

 they are, like other good things, to be used with dis- 

 cretion, and not l a discretion.' " 



