90 EDIBLE AND POISONOUS MUSHROOMS. 



two hundred miles apart. In both instances 

 some of the fungi were found, of which the 

 children had eaten in the fresh state, and 

 they proved to be this species, of the form 

 with the distinct blue base to the stem. 

 Most probably aU kinds are more poisonous 

 when fresh, as the virus is of a volatile 

 nature, and either partly diffused by heat 

 or neutralized by salt. As this species is 

 so very common, it should be widely known 

 to parents and guardians, that children at 

 play in the fields may be warned against 

 patting in tlieir mouths any of the little 

 " toadstools " which grow amongst the 

 grass. We cannot conceive that any sane 

 person could ever collect and eat this 

 singular little species under the impression 

 that it was an available substitute for the 

 Common Mushroom. It is so utterly unlike 

 in appearance as well as in size. 



