212 FUNGI. 



white gills, which has a clear, waxy, tempting appearance, but 

 which is so virulent that a small portion is sufficient to produce 

 disagreeable consequences. It would be safer to eschew all fungi 

 with a red or crimson pileus than to run the risk of indulging in 

 this. A white species, which, however, is not very common, 

 with a bulbous base enclosed in a volva, called Agaricus vernus, 

 should also be avoided. The pink spored species should also be 

 regarded with suspicion. Of the Boleti several turn blue when 

 cut or broken, and these again require to be discarded. This is 

 especially the case with Boletus luridus* and Boletus Satanas^ 

 two species which have the under surface or orifice of the pores 

 of a vermilion or blood-red colour. 



Not only are species which are known to be poisonous to be 

 avoided, but discretion should be used in eating recognized good 

 species. Fungi undergo chemical changes so rapidly that even 

 the cultivated mushroom may cause inconvenience if kept so 

 long after being gathered as to undergo chemical change. It is 

 not enough that they should be of a good kind, but also fresh. 

 The employment of plenty of salt in their preparation is calcu- 

 lated very much to neutralize any deleterious property. Salt, 

 pepper, and vinegar are much more freely employed abroad in 

 preparing fungi than with us, and with manifest advantage. 



It is undoubtedly true that fungi exert an important influence 

 in skin diseases. This seems to be admitted on all hands by 

 medical men,J however much they may differ on the question of 

 the extent to which they are the cause or consequence of disease. 

 Facts generally seem to bear out the opinion that a great number 

 of skin diseases are aggravated, and even produced, by fungi. 

 Robin insists that a peculiar soil is necessary, and Dr. Fox 

 says it is usually taught that tuberculous, scrofulous, and dirty 

 people furnish the best nidus. It is scarcely necessary to enu- 



* Smith's " Chart of Poisonous Fungi," fig. 10. 



t Ibid. fig. 27. It would be well to become acquainted with all these figures. 



J " Skin Diseases of Parasitic Origin," by Dr. Tilbury Fox. London, 1863. 



Robin, " Hist. Nat. des Vegetaux Parasites." Paris, 1853. Kuchenmeister, 

 " Animal and Vegetable Parasites of the Human Body." London, Sydenham 

 Society, 1857. 



