POISONOUS PLANTS. 



SOME DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF TOXIC 

 AND NON-TOXIC FUNGI. 



It appears tliat most fungi which have a warty cap, more 

 especially fragments of membrane adhering to the upper surface, 

 are poisonous. Heavy fungi which have an unpleasant odour, 

 especially if they emerge from a " volva " or bag, are generally 

 hurtful. Of those which grow in woods, and shady places, a few 

 are esculent, but most are unwholesome ; and if they are moist 

 on the surface they should be avoided ; all those which grow in 

 tufts or clusters from the stumps of trees ought likewise to be 

 avoided. A sure test of a poisonous fungus is a styptic, astrin- 

 gent taste ; and perhaps also a disagreeable, but certainly a 

 poisonous odour. Those whose substance becomes blue soon 

 after being cut are invariably poisonous. Agarics of an orange 

 or rose-red color ; and Boleti which are coriaceous or corky in 

 texture, or which have a membranous collar round the stem, are 

 also unsafe. But these rules are not universally applicable in 

 other genera. — Christison on Poisons. 



