208 EDIBLE MUSHROOMS 



has not frightened the indefatigable Captain Mcll- 



vaine from a personal challenge and encounter with 



this lurid specimen, with the result that 



A daring ^^le formidable " Satanas " has proved 

 pioneer , ■ i i • r • 



mycophagist anythmg but deservmg of its name — 



not half so lurid as it has been paint- 

 ed ; indeed, it has been even pronounced " the best 

 of them all." Of course there's no telling to what 

 extent the considerations of contrast, through sur- 

 prise and the consequent demoralization on the con- 

 tingents of the personal equation, may have influ- 

 enced the captain's discrimination, but it certainly 

 would appear, to put it negatively, that even the ill- 

 favored world -renowned B. satanas has apparently 

 been freed from aspersion as an enemy of mankind. 



But it is well for the amateur to avoid these notori- 

 ous species absolutely until their edibility becomes 

 universally accepted by the " professionals." 



The Boletus felleus (Plate 24, fig. i) is a very com- 

 mon species. The pinkish substance of this Boletus 

 is so extremely bitter when raw as to 



The bitter make it sufficiently repellent as food. 

 Boletus Xhe color of its smooth cap varies from 

 creamy yellow to reddish brown. Sub- 

 stance white in young specimens, flesh color or pink- 

 ish in older individuals. Tube surface white at first, 

 becoming pinkish. Opening of tubes, angled. Stem 

 usually more or less netted with raised lines towards 

 cap. Spores pinkish or "flesh colored." Common 

 in rich soil in woods. 



Boletus alveolatus. — Pileus smooth and polished, 

 usually rich crimson or maroon, sometimes varied 



