A TALK ABOUT MUSHROOMS. 117 



He added that he would like to hear a full lecture on the distinc- 

 tions between the edible and the poisonous mushrooms, in order to 

 be thoroughly informed. 



Mr. Falconer replied to a question about the cost of the spawn 

 of the new mushroom, that five dollars for five pounds of the 

 spawn had been the price until now ; but he believed it would be 

 offered for less than five dollars a barrel during the present year. 

 Referring to the points of distinction betw^een edible and poisonous 

 mushrooms, he said that a toadstool that is eaten by slugs is probably 

 edible. He added that he had a big maltese cat, which is as fond 

 of cooked mushi'ooms as of meat. He also stated that he made it 

 a point never to wet a mushroom after gathering it ; if any dirt 

 gets into the gills, it is nearly impossible to get it out. In cooking 

 mushrooms, care must be taken not to cook them too long. If 

 the juice is dried out in that way, it lessens the good quality of 

 the viand. 



Miss Jones stated that those who sold dried mushrooms in 



Italy were obliged to get a license before offering their goods for 

 sale. 



Mr. Merrill spoke of similarities of the edible and poisonous 

 mushrooms. Some edible varieties have white spores ; but the 

 Deadly Amanita — Agaricus {Amanita) vermis — is also white in 

 all its parts. The Puff-ball — Lycoperdon giganteum — when in 

 condition to be eaten is entirely white ; when gone to seed it is like 

 a bag filled with dark colored dust, the spores. When fresh it is 

 not only wholesome food, but delicious ; there is no poisonous 

 variety. To prepare it, the skin must be peeled off ; the flesh, 

 which is pure white like cream cheese, is to be sliced and cooked 

 in batter. The taste resembles that of an omelet. 



Mr. Falconer mentioned the Fairy Ring champignon — Maras- 

 mius oreades — as another species of the edible mushrooms. It is 

 represented as one of the most highly flavored. Another gentle- 

 man present cordially indorsed this statement, having eaten very 

 many of them with much enjoyment. 



Mr. Kinney, while riding in Franklin Park with a friend, 

 discovered a Giant Puft'-ball — Li/rojierdon giganteum — that was 

 larger than the crown of his hat. He carried it to Young's 

 Hotel, and showed it to the manager present, who thought the 

 monster fungus was poisonous. Mr. Kinney proposed that it be 

 taken to the chef de cuisine and his opinion learned. This was done. 



