EDIBLE FUNGI. 225 



THE TRUFFLE, tuber cibarium, C. 24. O. 9. T. 1. sp. 26. This 



is a highly flavored tuberous root growing wild in parts of Europe, 

 and esteemed as a great dainty, sliced and fried in oil, salt and pep- 

 per, or well stewed. It is much sought for, and rooted up by swine, 

 which, with dogs, are trained to hunt for them in England and Italy ; 

 and it is mentioned that a man has possessed the power to scent them. 

 They are very nourishing, and of an agreeable taste and smell, when, 

 ripe ; they are also strongly stimulating, and aphrodisiacal. They 

 are eaten raw or roasted in ashes, or thinly sliced and soaked in wine, 

 and are used like mushrooms in seasoned dishes. 



The form of the truffle is sperical without roots, of a dark color when 

 old, and studded with tubercles. The interior is firm with capsules, as 

 seen with a microscope, in which are 3 or 4 seeds. It grows in clus- 

 ters a few inches under the ground, which is composed of clay and 

 sand. Truffles are most abundant in Italy, where they often weigh 

 from 8 to 14 pounds. Their place of growth is not known by any ex- 

 ternal appearance of the surface, hence the use of the truffle dog and 

 pig to obtain them. The former is trained by much pains to scent 

 them ; and, on finding them, to bark and scratch the ground. The 

 truffle is considered the best of the edible fungi, but it has not yet been 

 propagated by culture. There are several varieties. 



THE MORREL, phallus esculentus. This is a fungus of a round 

 and hollow form, and of a yellowish color ; it grows on a white smooth 

 stalk 4 or 5 inches high. It is found in moist woods and pastures, and 

 is in perfection in June. Its substance is friable and wax-like ; and 

 it is used like the truffle, as food. It is said to be found growing most 

 luxuriantly on spots where charcoal has been made. It is cultivated 

 and raised from seed. It is indigenous to G. Britain, parts of the con- 

 tinent, and probably to the U. States. 



LICHENS, C. 24, O. 8, are of several kinds, growing on rocks, 

 trees, &c., and used as food, variously prepared, by people on the sea 

 coast, and also as medicines, dyes, &c. There are 1200 known species 

 of lichens, but only a few varieties are eaten. The Iceland moss is 

 eaten in gruel and as bread, and is nutritious. It is an article of com- 

 merce, and is used in pharmacy, in pectoral lozenges and syrups. It 

 is found on the mountains of New-Hampshire, and affords a rich pur- 

 ple dye, and stains marble green. Others afford other dyes. Litmus 

 paper is colored by it. 



FUCUS, C. 24, 0. 7, T. 6, sp. 8-18, a sea weed growing in various 

 places, and consisting of many varieties. It is eaten in Europe pre- 

 pared in various ways. One kind is chewed as tobacco in Scotland. 

 Funguses of different kinds are likewise much eaten cooked, near the 

 sea coast. They are classed under the head fuci, and in different 

 tribes. Some species are much esteemed in India. The swallow's 

 iicst, so celebrated, is a species, it is said, in a state of decomposition. 



