96 FUNGI. 
which is procured by watering the pietra funghaia, or fangus 
stone, a kind of tufa, in which the mycelium is embedded. It 
is confined to Naples. The other species is Polyporus corylinus, 
Mauri., procured artificially in Rome from charred stumps of the 
cob-nut tree.* 
OF true Polyporus, only two or three species have been 
regarded favourably as esculents. These are—Polyporus inty- 
baceus, Fr., which is of very large size, sometimes attaining as 
much as forty pounds; Polyporus giganteus, Fr., also very large, 
and leathery when old. Both these species are natives of 
Britain. Only young and juicy specimens must be selected for 
cooking. Polyporus umbellatus, Fr., is stated by Fries to be 
esculent, but it is not found in Britain. Polyporus squamosus, 
Fr., has been also included; but Mrs. Hussey thinks that one 
might as well think of eating saddle-flaps. None of these 
receive very much commendation. Dr. Curtis enumerates, 
amongst North American species, the Polyporus cristatus, Fr., 
Polyporus poripes, Fr., which, when raw, tastes like the best 
chestnuts or filberts, but is rather too dry when cooked. 
Polyporus Berkeleii, Fr., is intensely pungent when raw, but 
when young, and before the pores are visible, it may be eaten 
with impunity, all its pungency being dissipated by cooking. 
Polyporus confluens, Fr., he considers superior, and, in fact, 
quite a favourite. Polyporus sulfureus, Fr., which is not eaten in 
Europe, he considers just tolerably safe, but not to be coveted. 
It is by no means to be recommended to persons with weak 
stomachs. In hiscatalogue, Dr. Curtis enumerates one hundred 
and eleven species of edible fungi found in Carolina.t 
With Fistulina hepatica, Fr., it is different; for here we 
encounter a fleshy, juicy fungus, resembling beefsteak a little in 
appearance, and so much more in its uses, that the name of 
“ beefsteak fungus” has been given to it. Some authors are 
rapturous in their praise of Fistulina. It sometimes attains a 
very large size, Dr. Badham quoting t one found by himself 
* Badham’s ‘‘ Esculent Funguses,” Ist ed. pp. 116 and 120. 
+ Catalogue of Plants of Carolina, U.S. 
¢t Badham, Dr., ‘‘Esculent Funguscs,” 2nd ed. p. 128; Hussey, ‘Illustra: 
