212 FUNGI. 
white gills, which has a clear, waxy, tempting appearance, but 
which is so virulent that a small portion is sufficieut to produce 
disagreeable consequences. It would be safer to eschew all fungi 
with a red or crimson pileus than to run the risk of indulging in 
this. A white species, which, however, is not very common, 
with a bulbous base enclosed in a volva, called Agaricus vernus, 
should also be avoided. The pink spored species should also be 
regarded with suspicion. Of the Boleti several tarn blue when 
cut or broken, and these again require to be discarded. This is 
especially the case with Bolctus luridus* and Boletus Satanas,t 
two species which have the under surface or orifice of the pores 
of a vermilion or blood-red colour. 
Not only are species which are known to be poisonous to be 
avoided, but discretion should be used in eating recognized good 
species. Fungi undergo chemical changes so rapidly that even 
the cultivated mushroom may cause inconvenience if kept so 
long after being gathered as to undergo chemical change. It is 
not enough that they should be of a good kind, but also fresh. 
The employment of plenty of salt in their preparation is calcu- 
lated very much to neutralize any deleterious property. Salt, 
pepper, and vinegar are much more freely employed abroad in 
preparing fungi than with us, and with manifest advantage. 
It is undoubtedly true that fungi exert an important influence 
in skin diseases. This seems to be admitted on all hands by 
medical men,{ however much they may differ on the question of 
the extent to which they are the cause or consequence of disease. 
Facts generally seem to bear out the opinion that a great number 
of skin diseases are aggravated, and even produced, by fungi. 
Robin § insists that a peculiar soil is necessary, and Dr. Fox 
says it is usually taught that tuberculous, scrofulous, and dirty 
people furnish the best nidus. It is scarcely necessary to enu- 
* Swith’s ‘* Chart of Poisonous Fungi,” fig. 10. 
+ Ibid. fig. 27. It would be well to become acquainted with all these figures, 
} ‘Skin Diseases of Parasitic Origin,” by Dr Tilbury Fox. London, 1863. 
§ Robin, ‘‘ Hist. Nat. des Végétaux Parasites.” Paris, 1853. Kuchenmeister, 
‘Animal and Vegetable Parasites of the Human Body.” London, Sydenham 
Society, 1857. 
