256 INTRODUCTION TO CRYPTOGAMIC BOTANY. 



quence was a temporary intoxication, similar to that experi- 

 enced by persons unaccustomed to the use of tobacco. Yeast 

 is an approved remedy for certain ulcers, and has been used 

 internally. It is scarcely necessary to mention that one of the 

 insect SpJicerice is a favourite medicine of the Chinese. The 

 mode of using it is singular : a bundle of the Fungi, together 

 with the caterpillar attached to them, is placed in the stomach 

 of a duck, which is consumed, when roasted, by the patient. 

 Its virtues are, in all probability, fabulous. The Aphrodisiac 

 qualities of Truffles are equally unfotmded, depending merely 

 on fancied analogies, or on notions as to their mode of origin, 

 which it is unnecessary to reproduce here. Some species of 

 £Jlaphomyces are, however, still sold by our herbalists. Ly- 

 surus Mokusin is used by the Chinese as a remedy in gangre- 

 nous ulcers, and it is also eaten, but it is probably as wretched 

 an article of food as Ileodictyon. 



253. A few species of Fungi are capable of artificial culti- 

 vation, and it is probable that were it wished a larger number 

 of species might be constantly propagated. The common 

 bunt is propagated with certainty, by simply rubbing the 

 grains of wheat with the spores ; and the rust of the rose 

 (OoleosfOTiwrn pingue, Lev.) may be communicated to trees 

 hitherto unaffected, by watering the ground with a decoction 

 •of infected leaves. A few parasitic species, as Ldbrella Ptar- 

 micce, Ustilago hypodytes, Polycystis Violce, &c., may be 

 preserved in the garden for some years, by simply introducing 

 infested plants. The grains of Ergot, if sown and kept in 

 earth slightly moistened, vegetate in a few months, and pro- 

 duce a curious Cordyceps, as was first shown by Tulasne, and 

 verified separately by myself and Mr. Broome. 



254. The Fungus, however, which has received most attention, 

 and whose cultivation, when carefully conducted, is certain 

 and profitable, is Agaricus campestris, or rather a peculiar 

 variety, which is comparatively rare in a wild state. The best 

 way is to prepare the bed with spawn, either taken immedi- 

 ately from the fields, or propagated artificially in the garden ; 

 but if certain materials enter into the compost, including the 

 droppings of horses, and the parings of their hoofs, the pro- 



