868 INTEODTTCTION TO CRTPTOGAMIC BOTANY. 



procerus and some others. Most are used when fresh ; but 

 M. Oreades, P. Georgii, and others, may be preserved in good 

 condition when dry. The most dehcious of all Fungi, perhaps, 

 is P. ccBsareus, which has not yet occurred in England. A 

 very closely allied form or species occurs amongst the Hima- 

 layas, but we have no information as to its esculent qualities. 

 Many of the species are eaten by the Bhoteeas, who are 

 reduced by famine to eat some species which would not other- 

 wise be supposed fit for food. In Russia and Germany enor- 

 mous quantities are gathered for winter use. The vinegar in 

 which they are preserved seems to neutralise the alcaline 

 poison which they contain, for the species are gathered without 

 much discrimination. Some specimens submitted to me ap- 

 peared to be Lactarii, but in too altered a condition to enable 

 me to ascertain the species. The narcotic qualities of P. mus- 

 carius are well known. It is a useful poison for flies and 

 other insects, but it is also a strong narcotic, producing inebri- 

 ation and communicating its properties to the urine of those 

 who consume it. An accident was nearly happening lately, in 

 consequence of some being consumed for breakfast, though 

 intended for the preparation of fly-water. Fortunately, only a 

 small quantity was eaten, and the penalty was a temporary 

 intoxication, as complete almost as that produced by tobacco 

 to persons unaccustomed to its use. 



403. The greatest objection to the use of Fungi in food, is 

 that the qualities of the same species are so very different in 

 different countries. The common mushroom has proved fatal 

 in Italy, and is most carefully excluded from the markets ; 

 and parallel cases might be adduced with regard to other 

 species. This does not appear to depend upon any idiopathic 

 phenomena, but upon the intrinsic character of the individual 

 specimens. In all there is a small amount of poisonous matter, 

 and the quantity of this in any given species is extremely 

 uncertain. 



404. I have already, in the general observations on Fungi, 

 touched upon the abnormal forms which are occasionally 

 assumed by the mycelium, and which have given rise to so 

 many genera. It has been seen, moreover, that spurious 



