28 MUSHROOMS. 



mercial value and yield an article called " ama- 

 dou." This is a French word, used for a sort 

 of tinder or touch-wood, an inflammable sub- 

 stance which is prepared from a fungus,^ Bo- 

 letus igniarius, and grows upon the cherry, 

 ash and other trees. It is made by steeping it 

 in a strong solution of saltpetre and cutting it 

 in small pieces. It is also called German tinder. 

 Thome says that Boletus laricis and Polyporus 

 fomentarius yield the " amadou " of commerce. 

 Then, again, the birch Polyporus, P. betulinus, 

 is used for razor strops. "We need not say any- 

 thing on the uses of fungi as articles of food. 

 This subject has been exhausted by many able 

 mycologists, and, excepting the mere mention 

 of some mushrooms that are edible, the authors 

 have abstained from this part of the subject. 



HABITAT. 



It is interesting to observe where different 

 mushrooms love to dwell. Some are always 

 found on roadsides, as if seeking the notice of 

 passers-by. These are the Clitocybes and Stro- 

 pharia, and many of the cup-fungi, while the 

 Boleti take shelter in clay banks and hide in 



* Worcester's Dictionary, citing Brande. 



