322 EDIBLE MUSHROOMS 



The Clavaria and Morel are very simply dried, even 

 in ordinary house temperature. Strung upon threads 

 and suspended in the sun or near the fire they would 

 very quickly be reduced to absolute dryness. 



Mushrooms thus treated seem to retain their aro- 

 ma; in Procerus, Clavaria, Morel, Helvella, and " Fairy- 

 ring" being intensified above that of their moist con- 

 dition and most appetizing. 



The desiccated specimens should be kept in a dry 

 place, with good circulation of air, or enclosed in her- 

 metically sealed tin boxes ; in the latter case being 

 occasionally examined to insure against mould by 

 possible absorption of moisture. 



When desired for use they are simply soaked in 

 tepid water, which, by gradual absorption, causes the 

 specimens occasionally to assume almost their orig- 

 inal dimensions and juicy character, when they should 

 be treated as recommended for the fresh mushrooms. 



For the benefit of the vegetarian, or the curiously 

 or experimentally inclined, I append a few sugges- 

 tions apropos of a menu a la mode, in which the fun- 

 gus might be employed with good effect as a rival to 

 the familiar established prandial delights. Each se- 

 lection is numbered with reference to its particular 

 descriptive or suggestive paragraph in the preceding 

 pages of the chapter. 



A feast based upon these recommendations, re- 

 enforced with appropriate adjuncts — the " mother "- 

 born vinegar, the fungus -leavened loaf, the fungus- 

 foaming beaker — might cumulatively prove a per- 

 suasive plea for the creed of vegetarianism. 



