EDIBLE FUNGI. I 59 



riS) and I am almost of the same opinion. When 

 broiled or fried it truly makes a luscious morsel. I 

 mention in this connexion, that this species here bean 

 the name of nut mushroom, from a quality that T do 

 not find mentioned in the books which describe it. The 

 stem when fresh and young has a sweet nutty flavour, 

 very similar to that of the hazel nut. Is this the 

 case with you? Its flavour is so agreeable that I 

 am fond of chewing the fresh stems. From this pecu- 

 liarity in connexion with its movable ring, its form 

 and colours, I deem it a perfectly safe species to re- 

 commend for collecting. We have no species likely to 

 be mistaken for it, except A. rachodes, and I fully tested 

 the innocence of this before commending the first to 

 others. This has been suspected by some, but I have 

 found it harmless. Though pretty well flavoured, it is 

 not comparable with A. procerus, and the flesh is so thin 

 and spongy that no one would choose it when those of 

 more compact texture are to be had. A. excoriatus, of 

 the same group, is a much preferable species. 



" The Morel is one of my greatest favourites, but this 

 is not found in quantity except in calcareous districts. 

 A few days since (April 21) I had a dozen for supper, 

 the largest number I ever had at one time. 



" The Lycoperdon giganteum is also a great favourite 

 with me, as it is, indeed, with all my acquaintances who 

 have tried it. It has not the high aroma ot some otners, 



