96 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



mineral inclosing and investing cubical pseudomorphs, which, 

 originally have probably been iron pyrites, but which now consist 

 of hydrated ferric oxide. When freshly exposed, the oxide is 

 seen to quite fill the incrusting shell of white mineral, but, after 

 lying a while, shrinkage takes place in the oxide through evapora- 

 tion of water, and it cracks and shrinks into smaller volume, 

 leaving intact the cubical case. 



The nearest approach which I can find to the mineral under 

 consideration is Dawsonite, a hydrous aluminum-calcium car- 

 bonate,* but the Yarraville mineral is not hydrous. The surfaces 

 of the rock cavities which are not incrusted present a curious 

 vitreous appearance. 



VICTORIAN FUNGS NEW TO SCIENCE. 



By Henry Thos. Tisdall, F.L.S. 



( Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Viciotia, i$t/i Oct., 1890.^ 



I always feel in an apologetic mood whenever I bring a paper on 

 fungs before the Club, and yet there is really no need to feel so ; 

 for, although the subject is to a certain extent uninteresting to the 

 greater number, the practical utility not being obvious, yet the 

 knowledge of fungs is most important. 



When I first commenced to study these plants I trusted that I 

 should find many edible ones, and was ambitious enough to hope 

 that through my instrumentality an important article of food might 

 be added to the Victorian dietary list. 



I read of immense quantities of these plants being used as a 

 staple article of food in Russia, Austria, and more particularly in 

 Italv, where thousands of the peasantry live principally on bread 

 and fungs for nearly six weeks in the year. On the slopes of the 

 Apennines and the Alps different kinds of Agaricini, Polyporei, 

 Morels, Helvels, &c, are found in such quantities that they yield 

 a veritable harvest. Those that are not eaten fresh are pickled in 

 barrels for winter use. The inhabitants cook these fungs in various 

 ways, but chiefly as soups and stews. 



I have discovered many edible species in Victoria, but I am 

 ashamed to say that I cannot force myself to eat them, and if I 

 am unable to use them, how can I endeavour to press them upon 

 others? I trust that some of the Club less squeamish than myself 

 may imitate the noble example of the man who ate the first oyster, 

 and thus introduced that ugly but delicious morsel to his fellows. 

 I say, I trust that some of you will boldly take the matter up, find 

 such edible species as we have, and having cooked, eaten, and 

 appreciated them, incite others to follow your example. 



Unfortunately, many species of fungs are the greatest enemies 

 of the human race. Some destroy our corn, others our wines, 

 * Dana, " Manual of Mineralogy, " 1879, p. 201. 



