FUNGUS EATING. 13 



Western India ; special kinds of agaric, not unlike 

 our own St George's, mushroom, universally con- 

 sidered as a delicacy in Afghanistan ; other species 

 known and appreciated in the Punjab, and some others 

 even in Southern India. It is stated in the Edin- 

 burgh Review (April 1869), "We have been informed 

 by a gentleman who has lived many years in India 

 that the natives seem to eat fungi promiscuously, 

 chopping up the different species together, without 

 any ill effects." In the Malay Peninsula, Penang, 

 and the Straits settlements dried fungi are an article 

 of commerce. Seven distinct species are recognised 

 by natives, and eaten at Penang, whilst in China and 

 Japan, especially in China, there is a considerable 

 import trade of dried fungi for soup, as well as an 

 artificial cultivation of similar species in the interior. 

 A large kind of hedgehog mushroom (Hydnum) is 

 eaten fresh or dried in Japan, and is an article of 

 internal trade. One of the dried species from South 

 Eastern Asia grows on trees, and is not unlike Agari- 

 cus ulmarius. In many parts of Asia the common 

 mushroom is also found, according to the testimony 

 of Europeans, and is eaten by the natives. 



Southwards, in the New World, fungi are eaten in 

 various countries. In Tierra del Fuego they are for 

 several months the staple food of the country. One 

 of the tree morels (Cyttarid) is called "summer 

 fruit," and is very common on beech trees. It is 

 eaten systematically. A native, when asked what 



