38 FUNGALES. [Thallogens. 



am not confounded under the same name; in the next place, climate may make a 

 differ* nee ; and lastly, much depends npon the mode in which they are cooked. Upon 

 this subject Delile observes, that it was ascertained by Paulet, in 1776, that salt and 

 vinegar removed every deleterious principle from that most poisonous plant the Agari- 

 cus bulbosoa ; thai it is the nniversal practice in Russia to salt the Fungi, and that this 

 use of their harmlessness, just as the pickling and subsequent washing of 

 th e poisoi ric of the Olive renders it eatable in the Cevennes ; but that, never- 



theless, it is much wiser to run no risk with unknown Fungi, even taking such precau- 

 tion- a remark to which he was led by the lamentable death of a French officer and 

 lii- wife, in consequence of breakfasting off some poisonous Agarics, which were never- 

 theless eaten by other persons in the same house with impunity. It was probable that 

 in that case a difference in the cooking was the cause of the difference in the effect of 

 the Fungi ; but it was a sufficient ground for distrusting all Fungi except the cultivated 

 So strongly did the late Professor L. C. Richard feel the prudence of this, that 

 although no one was better acquainted with the distinctions of Fungi, he would never 

 eat any except such as had been raised in gardens in mushroom beds. One of the 

 most poisonous of our Fungi is the Amanita muscaria, so called from its power of 

 killing flies \\ hen steeped in milk. Even this is eaten in Kamchatka, with no other than 

 intoxicating effects, according to the following account by Langsdorf, as translated by 

 t In \ ill--, from whom I borrow it : — 



"This variety of Amanita muscaria is used by the inhabitants of the north-eastern 

 of Asia in the same manner as wine, brandy, arrack, opium, &c. is by other 

 nations. Such Fungi are found most plentifully about Wischna, Kamchatka, and 

 Wilkowa Derecona, and are very abundant in some seasons, and scarce in others. 

 They are collected in the hottest mouths, and hung up by a string in the air to dry ; 

 some dry of themselves on the ground, and are said to be far more narcotic than those 

 artificially preserved. Small deep-coloured specimens, thickly covered with warts, are 

 also said to be more powerful than those of a larger size and paler colour. The usual 

 mode of taking the Fungus is, to roll it up like a bolus, and swallow it without chewing, 

 which, the Kamchatkadales say, would disorder the stomach. It is sometimes eaten 

 fresh in 9oups and sauces, and then loses much of its intoxicating property ; when 

 steeped in the juice of the berries of Vaccinium uliginosum, its effects are those of 

 strong wine. One large, or two small Fungi, are a common doze to produce a pleasant 

 intoxication for a whole day, particularly if water be drank after it, which augments the 

 narcotic principle. The desired effect comes on from one to two hours after taking 

 the Fungus. Giddiness and drunkenness result in the same manner as from wine or 

 spirit- ; cheerful emotions of the mind are first produced; the countenance becomes 

 tlushed; involuntary words and actions follow, and sometimes at last an entire loss of 

 consciousness. It renders some remarkably active, and proves highly stimulant to 

 muscular exertion: by too large a dose, violent spasmodic effects are produced. So 

 verj exciting to the nervous system in many individuals is this Fungus, that the effects 

 are often very ludicrous. If a person under its influence wishes to step over a straw or 

 small -tick, he takes a stride or a jump sufficient to clear the trunk of a tree ; a talka- 

 tive person cannot keep silence or secrets ; and one fond of music is perpetually singing. 

 The most singular effect of the Amanita is the influence it possesses over the urine. 

 It is said that, from time immemorial, the inhabitants have known that the Fungus 

 imparts an intoxicating quality to that secretion, which continues for a considerable 

 time alter taking it For instance, a man moderately intoxicated to-day will, by the 

 next morning, have slept himself sober, but (as is the custom) by taking a' teacup of his 

 urine he will be more powerfully intoxicated than he was the preceding day. It is, 

 therefore, not uncommon for confirmed drunkards to preserve their urine as a precious 

 liquor againsl a acarcity of the Fungus. The intoxicating property of the urine is 

 capable of being propagated ; tor every one who partakes of it has his urine similarly 

 affected. Thus, wrtil a very few Amanita, a party of drunkards may keep up their 

 debauch for a week. Dr. Langsdorf mentions, that by means of the second person 

 taking the urine of the first, the third of the second, and so on, the intoxication may be 

 propagated through five individuals." 



It is universally known that the common Agaric is cultivated with as much certainty 

 by good gardeners as any other vegetable. The excellent Boletus edulis has been 

 partially cultivated in the south of fiance by inclosing a portion of a wood, and water- 

 the ground with water in which the tubes bad been steeped. Borch raised Tuber 

 Borchii t.on, the sporidia about the year 1780, and the growth of the common Truffle has 

 been attempted with more or less success. Mr. Drummond has sent over the spawn of 

 ■ large variety oi Agancus campestris from the Swan River, which he says is as far 

 Mipenor.to ,l,e eominon mushroom as the improved peas to the old varieties, and it has 

 been submitted to Mr. J. Henderson, but it is feared that it is too old to rim. 



