70 THE RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 



and toadstools as food for man. The Speaker said that 

 without a pretence to a scientific knowledge of the subject 

 he had devoted much time during the past ten years to 

 the examination of these vegetables as articles of food. 

 We neglect things of the greatest delicacy in ignoring 

 mushrooms. Toadstools and mushrooms are, to a certain 

 extent, synonymous terms, but the latter is in particular 

 applied to the species (Agaricus campesii^is) most coin- 

 monly cultivated and eaten. The little heads we get in 

 cans and glass jars from France are of this species and 

 are raised in the catacombs of Paris. Mr. Palmer spoke 

 of many species not now in use, which are exceedingly 

 palatable, and of some poisonous ones. He tested all 

 species, the qualities of which are not already known, by 

 first eating a bit ; then, if not unpleasant, larger portions. 

 Heroic tests are made only by the Ignorant and foolhardy. 

 The Speaker answered several inquiries and related some 

 anecdotes in relation to the subject. Dr, J, S, Kingsley 

 was the next Speaker and he gave an interesting account 

 of the snails of our coast. He spoke chiefly of the true 

 "periwinlde," an introduced mollusk, which has spread 

 along our coast during the past twenty years so that it has 

 become our most common species. This is edible, and in 

 flavor is equal to the clam, and by many persons is pre- 

 ferred to that bivalve. Mr» J, J. H. Gregory of Marble- 

 head followed, speaking of the rocks, particularly the 

 porphyry and the uses made of the ledges of that rock 

 on the Neck. Mr. J. H, Sears gave an account of the 

 flora of the "Neck" and referred to many interesting plants. 

 Mr. John Robinson made a few remarks on the mush- 

 rooms suggested by Mr. Palmer's statements, and oliered 

 a vote of thanks to the Marblehead Neck Association for 

 the use of the Hall and to all others who had exten ded 

 courtesies on this occasiou. 



