138 LIVING LIGHTS. 



lias been observed in the Andaman Islands. Gandichand 

 found one in Manilla, while Dr. Hooker, as we have seen, 

 refers to the presence of one in the Sikkim Himalayas. 



These curious families of fungi are not only ornamental, 

 but useful. In European countries the common mushroom*^ 

 enjoys the widest popularity as an esculent, especially the 

 cultivated varieties. The meadow mushroom is scarcely 

 inferior, though stronger in flavor, and is preferred by many 

 to the cultivated species. In France the champignon is 

 largely eaten ; and in Austria a kind which has no admirers 

 in England finds a constant place in the markets during 

 the summer. Truffles and morels are favorites not only in 

 Europe, but also in the vales of Cashmere, where two or 

 three species of morels are dried for consumption through- 

 out the year. The great puff-ball is increasing in reputation 

 as a breakfast delicacy in Great Britain, while the chanta- 

 relle and the hedgehog fungus are esteemed by many. 



Numerous other species are more or less eaten by my- 

 cophagists, although they are never found in the public mar- 

 kets. A species of Boletus, cut in slices and dried, may be 

 purchased throughout the year in most of the Continental 

 cities. In Tahiti the Jew's ear *'' is dried in large quantities 

 and exported to China ; while a species of agaric comes into 

 the markets of Singapore, and another dried agaric is sent 

 from the Cabul hills and the plains of north-western India. 

 Several species of Oyttaria are eaten in the southern parts 

 of South America, and in Australia a native kind *^ is a 

 favorite article of food. Indeed, a very long catalogue 

 might be made of the species which are more or less con- 

 sumed in different parts of the world. 



The cultivation of fungi for esculent purposes has not hith- 



