96 PLANT-LIFE 



Boletus {Boletus edulis), and the Common Morel (Mor- 

 chella esculenta). To this list we should certainly add 

 the Yellow Chanterelle {Cantharellus cibarius), the Beef- 

 steak Fungus (FistuUna hefatica), and the Truffle {Tuber 

 CBstivum). The Truffle (Fig. 32) has long been considered 

 a table delicacy; it was known to Pliny. There are 

 many species. T. CBStivum is that usually obtained in 

 Britain. It grows underground in woods, particularly 

 under beech-trees. Dogs are trained to hunt for 

 Truffles, and even pigs, which are very fond of them, are 



used in some Continental coun- 

 tries for the same purpose. 



The Fly Agaric {Amanita 

 muscaria) is highly poisonous. 

 Its popular name is due to the 

 fact that it was used as a fl.y 



Fig. 32. — TairrnjB (Tuber • at x i i i, 



^sTivum). poison. No fungus could be 



more brilliant and attractive 

 in appearance. The cap is usually deep scarlet, 

 sprinkled with white patches of the volva; the gills 

 are white. This Agaric favours fir and birch woods. 

 There is another point of interest in relation to this 

 species. M. C. Cooke, in his Plain and Easy Account of 

 British Fungi, wrote : " In Siberia it supplies the in- 

 habitants with the means of intoxication similar to 

 that produced by the ' haschisch ' and ' majoon ' of the 

 East. The fungi are collected during the summer 

 months, and hung up to dry in the open air, or they are 

 left to dry in the ground, and are collected afterwards. 

 When the latter course is pursued, they are said to 

 possess more powerful narcotic properties than when 

 dried artificially. The juice of the whortleberry, in 



