Polyporacese 



Boletus. 7 . Pileus blood-red , . . B. Frostii 



7. Pileus reddish-tawny or brown B. Sullivantii 



Peck, Boleti of the U. S. 



All authors, up to this date, agree in stating that the species within 

 this series are poisonous. Experiments made by Smiedeberg and 

 Koppe with Boletus Satanus developed symptoms closely resembling 

 poisoning by Amanitae. Kobert, who made analysis of B. luridus, 

 shows that it contains muscarine, which is one of the most deadly poisons. 

 Such a mass of evidence commands respect. It is urged upon finders 

 of these species to either leave them alone or test them in minute 

 quantities until they have established their ability to eat them without 

 injury. 



I have taken special pains to establish the edibility of B. Satanus and 

 B. luridus. For fifteen years I have eaten them in quantity when 

 opportunity afforded, in West Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

 My family, and my friends in widely separated localities, have partaken 

 freely of them many times and without discomfort. They are remark- 

 ably fine eating. The same can be said of B. alveolatus, B. purpureus, 

 B. subvelutipes. I have not seen the other species of this tribe. 



I have determined so many of the reputed poisonous species to be 

 edible, that unless positively authenticated, I do not accept repute as 

 truth, but carefully test suspicious species upon myself. When sure 

 there is no danger, I as carefully have them tested by my numerous 

 under-tasters male and female. 



B. Sa'tanus Lenz. Satanic. Pileus convex, glabrous, somewhat 

 gluey, brownish-yellow or whitish. Flesh whitish, becoming reddish or 

 violaceous where wounded. Tubes free, yellow, their mouths bright 

 red becoming orange-colored with age. Stem thick, ovate- ventricose, 

 marked above with red reticulations. Spores I2x5/*. 



Pileus 3-8 in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long. 



W T oods. Rare. North Carolina, Curtis; New York, Peck; Califor- 

 nia, H. and M., 'N. 7. Ellis. 



Though mild to the taste, this Boletus is said to be very poisonous, 

 a character suggestive of the specific name. Fries describes the color 

 of the spores as earthy-yellow; Smith as rich brown. Peck, Boleti of 

 the U. S. 



454 



