l84 EDIBLE MUSHROOMS 



It is interesting to note that the ban is gradually 

 being lifted from the Boleti by mycophagists of 

 distinction, largely through their own experiments. 

 Thus I note that Mr. Mcllvaine, who has made a 

 close study of esculent fungi, in a recent article 

 claims that "all the Boleti are harmless, though 

 some are too bitter to eat " ; and Mr. Palmer, in his 

 admirable portfolio of esculent fungi. 

 Maligned includes among his edible species one 

 species- of those whose flesh " changes color on 

 fracture," and which has hitherto been 

 proscribed as " off color." Of course, this food se- 

 lection would obviously apply only to species of 

 inviting attributes, possessing pleasant odor, agree- 

 able taste, and delicate fibre. The selection com- 

 prised in this volume is confined to a few varieties of 

 established good repute. As to the rest — if only on 

 the consideration of idiosyncrasy — it is wiser to urge 

 extreme caution on the lines laid down on page 34. 



The Boletus, like all other mushrooms, passes 

 through a variety of forms from its birth to maturity, 

 at first being almost round, then con- 

 Changes ^gj^^ ^jj.|^ j.j^g spore surface nearly fiat, 



in growtli horizontal, the profile outline finally 

 almost equally cushion-like on both up- 

 per afid lower surfaces, or the upper surface absolutely 

 flat. Mere outline drawings of a number of Boleti 

 would be almost identical. The form alone, there- 

 fore, is of minor importance in their identification. 

 Among those more readily recognized by their color 

 and structural features, may be classed the following 

 common species: 



