EDIBLE FUNGI. 149 



especially valuable for tlieir appearance in late autumn, even 

 during hard frosts, when other agarics are mostly out of 

 season. 



" Again, there seemed such a similarity of texture 

 and habit between A. ccespitosus (Lentinus, Berk.) and 

 A. melleus, although the former belongs to Clitocybe, that 

 the temptation to a trial of it was irresistible. As it is 

 found here in enormous quantities, and a single cluster 

 will often contain fifty to a hundred stems, it might well 

 be deemed a valuable species in a time of scarcity. It 

 would not be highly esteemed where other and better 

 sorts can be had ; but it is generally preferred to A . 

 melleus. I have found this species very suitable for dry- 

 ing for winter use. 



" Among the Boleti I ventured, in ignorance if it had 

 ever been eaten, to try B. collmitus, on account of its close 

 relationship with B. flavi'dus. I am not particularly fond 

 of Boleti, but this species has been pronounced delicious 

 by some to whom I have sent it. 



" So among the Polypores, I had no fear of harm from 

 the use of a new American species (P. poripes, Fr.), on 

 account of its relation to P. ovinus, in its texture and its 

 flavour. The taste of the crude specimen is like that of the 

 best chestnuts or filberts. It has been compared even with 

 the cocoa-nnt, and is certainly of very agreeable flavour. It 

 does not, however, make a superior dish for the table,being 

 rather too dry, but it is innocent and probably nutritious. 



