130 BRITISH EDIBLE FUNGI. 



A few years since a friend occupied a house on 

 Wandsworth Common, and adjoining was an enclosed 

 ground plot intended to be built upon. By arrange- 

 ment with the landlord the use of this plot was 

 secured to our friend as a rough kitchen garden and 

 playground for his children. On a visit we remarked 

 a preserved portion of some two or three square yards, 

 protected by thorns, &c. Upon enquiry it was ascer- 

 tained that large puff balls had come up on this spot, 

 and of course had been appropriated and eaten. The 

 protection had been supplied in hopes of a crop in 

 the succeeding year, if the ground was not trodden or 

 disturbed. These hopes were realized, for on the 

 following, and succeeding years, the puff balls came 

 up on the same spot, until the builders appropriated 

 the plot, and a villa was reared where the puff balls 

 used to grow. For many years our friend had a 

 succession of puff balls for the table, and duly 

 appreciated the privilege. 



It is a curious experience in connection with this 

 fungus that although we have introduced and recom- 

 mended it as food to a large number of persons, we 

 have never discovered one who did not approve of it. 

 One incident we have related before will bear repeti- 

 tion. " A gardener brought us a large puff ball, equal 

 in size to a half quartern loaf, which was still in its 

 young and pulpy state, of a beautiful creamy white- 

 ness when cut. It had been found developing itself 

 in a garden at Highgate, and to the finder its virtues 



