150 COMPOSITION AND NUTRITIVE VALUE 



Pleuratus ostreatus (Oyster mushroom). This mushroom is obtainable in 

 large quantities, and though somewhat tough in texture, is universally 

 classed with the edible species. Specimens gathered from a tree in New 

 Haven contained: 



Water t 73.70 per cent 



Total solids 26.30 " " 



The dry substance contained : 



Total nitrogen 2.40 per cent 



Extractive nitrogen 1.27 " " 



Protein nitrogen 1.13 " 



Ether extract 1.6 " " 



Crude fiber 7.5 



Ash 6.1 " " 



Material soluble in 85 per cent alcohol . . . 31.5 " " 



Clitocybe muUiceps Peck. The material was collected near Boston, in 

 June, 1897. A portion of small, young specimens was analyzed separately. 

 The results follow: 



Young Specimens. Full-grown Specimens. 



Water 89.61 per cent 93.49 per cent 



Total solids 10.89 " " 6.61 " " 



The dry substance of the full-grown specimens contained : 



Total nitrogen 5.36 per cent 



Extractive nitrogen 8.38 " " 



Protein nitrogen 1.98 " " 



Ether extract 6.0 " " 



Crude fiber 9.6 " " 



Ash 11.5 " " 



Material soluble in 85 per cent alcohol . . 57.2 " " 



A portion of the mushrooms was separated into stems and caps and each 

 analyzed separately, with the following results : 



Stem. Pileug. 



Water 94.07 per cent 92.68 per cent 



Total solids 5.93 " " 7.82 " " 



Total nitrogen in dry substance 3.92 " " 5.84 " " 



Ash in dry substance ... 12.98 " " 10.82 " " 



The relatively higher content of nitrogen in the pilous corresponds with 

 the distribution of proteid as shown by histochemical examination. In 

 Agaricus campestris, Boletus edulis, and Boletus scaber, C. Th. Morner 

 has found similar differences between the nitrogen content of caps and 

 stems.* 



* Morner, C. Th. : Zeitschr. fur physiol. Chemie, 1886, x, p. 510. 



