MUSHROOMS 



MUSHROOMS 



477 



learn to know are the Fly Agaric (Amanita mus- 

 caria, Fig. 245) and the Destroying Angel (A. 

 phalloides, Fig. 246). In Europe, the Royal mush- 

 room (Amanita Cwsarea, Fig. 707) is regarded as 

 one of the most delicious wild species. It was even 

 regarded as the chief delicacy among the mush- 

 rooms, aside from the truffles, in the times of the 

 Romans. That is, it is this species, probably, which 

 in Latin literature is referred to under the name 

 " Boletus," a term now unfortunately applied to a 

 very diiferent group of fungi, as subsequently 

 mentioned. 



Closely related to the genus Amanita there are 

 field mushrooms of the genus Lepiota, which 

 resemble fairly closely the Destroying Angel in 

 every way except in the absence of the universal 

 veil, or volva, at the base. It might not be advis- 

 able, however, at the outset to use even these. 



Another group of the Agarics to which the ama- 

 teur may turn his attention with no fear of harm, 

 is that which includes the oyster mushroom (Pleu- 

 rotus ostreatus) and its allies. These fungi grow in 

 the form of clusters of shelving plants, which may 

 be found on old stumps and logs or on exposed 

 roots where decay has set in. The clusters may 

 attain a diameter of a foot or more, and an exami- 

 nation of the individual plants which constitute 

 the cluster will show that the stem is attached 

 excentrically, or at one edge of the pileus, in some 

 instances the stem being greatly reduced. The 

 gills are white and white spores are produced. 

 The surface of the pileus varies from white to yel- 

 lowish with age, or it may even be grayish purple 

 in diiferent forms and species. In most species 

 the gills are decurrent, coursing downward on the 

 stem, gradually losing themselves in mere surface 

 lines. These fungi are found abundantly in most 

 regions of the United States from July to early 

 winter. In the southern states they are not infre- 

 quently found at any season so long as the moisture 

 is sufficient. 



In the family of pore-bearing mushrooms the 

 more widely distributed edible forms are found in 

 the genus Boletus (Fig. 247). These species con- 

 sist of fleshy plants of the characteristic umbrella 

 shape. The stem is central, and frequently the 

 whole plant is highly colored. In place of bearing 

 gills on the lower surface of the pileus, the surface 

 consists of a compact layer of vertically-placed 

 small tubes or pores, and it is over the surface of 

 these that the spores are borne. Boletus edulis, 

 commonly known as the Edible Boletus (called in 

 French, cepe, and in German, Steinpilz), is a common 

 article of food throughout Europe, and it probably 

 represents in this country a chief source of waste, 

 so far as edible fungi are concerned, since it is 

 very seldom used. An idea of the amount of this 

 waste is suggested by the statement that this 

 species and two or three closely related forms 

 were sold on the market of Munich in 1901 to the 

 extent of about one million pounds, representing a 

 value of nearly two hundred thousand dollars. 

 Boletus edulis is a plant with a pileus usually red- 

 brown on the upper surface, with a lower surface 

 yellowish becoming greenish, slightly discoloring 



when bruised, white flesh, and with a fleshy stem, 

 yellowish buff in coloi;. Among the Boleti there 

 are several injurious species. General character- 

 istics, by which they may be avoided, are a red 

 color of the margins of the pores, the gills or flesh 

 changing color markedly when exposed or injured, 

 and an acrid or peppery taste. 



It is safe to say that among the peasantry of 

 Europe, Boletus edulis is almost as common a food 

 product as our well-known vegetables. From the 

 time of its appearance in the early summer until 

 the cold weather of autumn, it is sought every- 

 where in the moist woods, and while highly prized 

 in its fresh condition, it is also cut into pieces and 

 dried for winter use. No small amount is canned 

 and exported, the principal exported product being 

 from France, and therefore bearing the name com- 

 mercially of cepe. It would appear that it was this 

 species that constituted, during the time of the 

 empire at Rome, the greater bulk of what were 



Fig. 707. Amanita Ocesarea. An edible white- spored agaric. 



known as fungi suilli, not the most highly prized, 

 but yet the fungi eaten by the multitudes. 



In the woods of north temperate regions through- 

 out the world, and especially abundant in the moist, 

 mountain regions, there are found delicate branched 

 fungi, commonly known as Stag-horn mushrooms. 

 Fairy Clubs and others. These species grow on the 

 ground, frequently among the mosses, even in boggy 

 regions. All of the species which are somewhat 

 delicate or of sufficient size are edible and no mis- 

 take can be made in appropriating them at will. 

 The larger and more fleshy species are fortunately 



