XIII. FUNGI. 



955 



PKINCIPAL GENERA. 



The Itaaidiosporece, especially those of the first section, comprise the Fungi commonly so called. The 

 principal genus, Agaricus, contains a large number of species, very difficult to distinguish, notwithstanding 

 the divisions and subdivisions established by mycologists. Most of them are inodorous and insipid ; but others 

 are odoriferous, and others acrid and even burning. One entire group of Agarics contains a peculiar 

 milky juice, white, yellow, or reddish, insipid or caustic. The Mushroom, a variety of A. campestris, 

 abounds in meadows, especially where horses feed ; it is the only species which is cultivated, and which 

 is a rather important object of commerce. It may be obtained at all seasons by cultivating it in beds in 

 cellars or underground caves. A. ncapolitanus was formerly cultivated by the nuns of a convent near 

 Naples, who raised it on a bed of coffee-grounds. The Poplar Agaric (A. JEyerita), and that of the 

 Hazel-nut (-4. Avellanus), may also be obtained from slabs of poplar or hazel covered with cinders, and 

 this again with a light layer of earth which is occasionally watered. The genus Amanittt, separated from 

 Ayaricus, yields the delicious Orange Agaric (A. Ccesarea), so much sought by gastronomes, together with 

 some very poisonous species, such as A. bulbosa, phalloide, nmscaria, &c., which contain a narcotic acrid 

 principle that acts like Indian Hemp or hashish. Hitherto no antidote to this poison has been found. 

 Salt, in which Fungi are preserved in Russia, is far from being such : witness the death of the wife of the 

 Czar Alexis I. from eating Mushrooms preserved in salt during Lent. Canthardlus cibnrius, which is 

 distinguished from all other Mushrooms by its form and colour, is found abundantly from June till 

 October in oak and chesnut woods, and yields an excellent food to the country people. Boletus edulis 

 is eaten fresh or dried ; cut in slices or dried in the sun or by a stove, it is stored and sold, as might be 

 JB. castaneus were it sufficiently plentiful. Amadou, or German tinder, is prepared from Folyporus 

 iyniarius and fomentarius ; it was used in the last century as a htemostatic. Its ashes, as well as those 

 of some other Folypori, are used by the Ostiaks and Kamtschatkans as snuff, probably to keep up an irri- 

 tation of the mucous membrane, and thus to preserve the nose from being frost-bitten. P. officinalis, 

 improperly termed White Agaric, is a violent purgative, now fallen into disuse. The Thdepliora are 

 all useless ; they are membranous coriaceous Fungi, marked on their upper surface with various, sometimes 

 bright- coloured zones j the most remarkable species is the T.prvneept of Java, which is the largest known 

 Fungus, attaining often one foot to one and a half. The genera Hydnum (repandum, &c.) and Clavaria fur- 

 nish edible species ; the latter form small bushy tufts, white, yellow, orange, rose, or blue ; but those of 

 the latter colour are suspicious, and C. amethystea is possibly dangerous, since it brings on violent colic. 



Tremella violacea, which gives a bluish colour, as well as Jew's Ears (Exidia Auricula- Judoi), 

 formerly used for dropsy, are quite given up. The latter is eaten by the inhabitants of the Ukraine. 



The group of Endobasidial Fungi comprises both small and almost gigantic Fungi (Lycoperdon 

 giganteuni). To this group belong the Puff-balls, which alter remarkably in appearance : the young 

 or adult are white and firm ; then they turn brown, and the interior softens till it appears decayed, 

 after which it dries up and is converted into dust, which escapes by an apical opening, leaving behind 

 filaments, and at the base some spongy cells. This spongy substance, saturated with a solution of nitre, 



