96 FUNGI. 



which is procured by watering the pietra fungliaia^ or fungus 

 stone, a kind of tufa, in which the mycelium is embedded. It 

 is confined to Naples. The other species is Polyporus corylinus, 

 Mauri., procured artificially in Rome from charred stumps of the 

 cob-nut tree.* 



Of true Polyporus, only two or three species have been 

 regarded favourably as esculents. These are Polyporus inty- 

 baceus, Fr., which is of very large size, sometimes attaining as 

 much as forty pounds ; Polyporus giganteus, Fr., also very large, 

 and leathery when old. Both these species are natives of 

 Britain. Only young and juicy specimens musfc be selected for 

 cooking. Polyporus umbellatus, Fr., is stated by Fries to be 

 esculent, but it is not found in Britain. Polyporus sg/uamosus, 

 Fr., has been also included ; but Mrs. Hussey thinks that one 

 might as well think of eating saddle-flaps. None of these 

 receive very much commendation. Dr. Curtis enumerates, 

 amongst North American species, the Polyporus cristatus, Fr., 

 Polyporus poripes, Fr., which, when raw, tastes like the best 

 chestnuts or filberts, but is rather too dry when cooked. 

 Polyporus Berkeleii, Fr., is intensely pungent when raw, but 

 when young, and before the pores are visible, it may be eaten 

 with impunity, all its pungency being dissipated by cooking. 

 Polyporus confluens, Fr., he considers superior, and, in fact, 

 quite a favourite. Polyporus sulfureus, Fr., which is not eaten in 

 Europe, he considers just tolerably safe, but not to be coveted. 

 It is by no means to be recommended to persons with weak 

 stomachs. In his catalogue, Dr. Curtis enumerates one hundred 

 and eleven species of edible fungi found in Carolina, f 



With Fistulina hepatica, Fr., it is different; for here we 

 encounter a fleshy, juicy fungus, resembling beefsteak a little in 

 appearance, and so much more in its uses, that the name of 

 "beefsteak fungus" has been given to it. Some authors are 

 rapturous in their praise of Fistulina. It sometimes attains a 

 very large size, Dr. Badham quoting J one found by himself 



* Badham's " Esculent Funguses," 1st ed. pp. 116 and 120. 



t Catalogue of Plants of Carolina, U.S. 



J Badham, Dr., "Esculent Funguses," 2nd ed. p. 128; Hussey, "Illustra- 



