MUSHROOM OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 279 



by tlieir enlarged pulpy calyces. The ^Yllite Mulberry (Morus 

 alba), said to be a native of China, was early introduced into 

 Europe, and has now almost superseded M. nvjra for the feeding 

 of silkworms. 



Mullein, Great ( Verhascum Thaiisus), a biennial of the Fig- 

 wort family (Scrophulariacece), native of this country, gener- 

 ally found growing in neglected places in old gardens. In 

 favourable soil it attains a height of 4 to 5 feet, furnished 

 with broad elliptical densely woolly leaves, tlie upper part 

 being closely occupied by yellow flowers. It has long been 

 famed as a domestic medicine, and in consequence of its being 

 used in pulmonary complaints in cattle, it has received the 

 name of Bullock's Lungwort. The dry stalks and leaves were 

 in ancient times dipped in grease and used as a substitute 

 for candles and lamp-wicks. In this country it is called High 

 or Hag taper, on account of the superstition that it was used by 

 witches of old. In Scotland it is known by the name of Shep- 

 herd's Club. It is also known by the name of Adam's Flannel 

 and Aaron's Eod, which are merely fanciful names. 



Munjeeth. {Sec Madder.) 



Muscatel. {See Eaisins.) 



Mushroom {Agaricus campcstris). — This edible fungus is so 

 well known that it is not necessary to describe it. It is found 

 abundantly in summer and autumn in pastures ; but for the 

 supply of London and other large towns it is extensively culti- 

 vated in covered beds, and it is also largely grown in the 

 catacombs in Paris, forming an important article of food. 

 Mushrooms are propagated by what is called spawn, which con- 

 sists of horse and cow dung made up into the form of bricks or 

 cakes, which are put, for a short time, in a warm place, mixed with 

 some of the material of the old mushroom beds, containing more 

 or less of the mycelium or roots of mushrooms. These are 

 white and thread-like, and on coming in contact with the new 

 material, the whole mass becomes impregnated with the white 

 threads. The bricks and cakes are then stored for use, and euev 

 form an article of trade, and are familiarly known as mushroom 



