ABOUT POISONOUS FUNGI. 2 I I 



mushroom, acquire deleterious properties under 

 certain other unknown conditions ? To this we can 

 only reply that it is not only possible, but that it has 

 taken place. We do not pretend to fathom the 

 cause, but can only recognise the fact. It is very 

 rarely that such an experience is heard of, but having 

 really occurred in the past, it is not impossible in the 

 future. There is sometimes to be found in pastures 

 scattered individuals of the ordinary mushroom with 

 a dark brown cap, but in all other respects like the 

 true mushroom. It has come to our knowledge 

 more than once that this dark mushroom is not 

 trustworthy, and should be avoided. What the 

 connection may be between the dark cap and the 

 deleterious property we are not prepared to determine. 



Adverting to recognisable features of a general 

 character, we may be permitted to intimate that 

 mushrooms which are mild and pleasant to the taste 

 are so usually edible that we should not hesitate for 

 ourselves to cook and eat any such which came in 

 our way, without credentials. Further, we should 

 always feel suspicious of a fungus with a biting, 

 peppery, or acrid taste, and shoidd not be disposed to 

 eat it, unless its antecedents are in favour of its being 

 perfectly harmless. 



There are fungi possessing peculiar rancid, nitrous, 

 or fcetid odours. As we know of none such that are 

 edible, we invariably consider these suspicious, and 

 recommend others to do the same. 



