FUNGI. 375 
ness is first produced, the face becomes flushed, 
involuntary words and actions follow, and some- 
times at last entire loss of consciousness. It ren- 
ders some remarkably active, and proves highly 
stimulant to muscular exertion. By too large a 
dose violent spasmodic effects are produced. So 
exciting is it to the nervous system of some in- 
dividuals, as to produce effects which are very 
ludicrous. A talkative person cannot keep silence 
or secrets, one fond of music is perpetually singing, 
and if a person under its influence wishes to step 
over a straw or small stick, he takes a stride or a 
jump sufficient to clear the trunk of a tree.’ The 
intoxication produced by this fungus sometimes 
amounts to absolute delirium, and not unfrequently 
terminates in convulsions, coma, and death; and 
it is a most remarkable fact that it communicates 
its narcotic properties to the fluids of the debau- 
chee, which, in consequence, are carefully preserved 
and eagerly consumed during the winter months, 
when the season of the plant is over, and the stock 
of dried specimens is exhausted. Thus a whole 
village is intoxicated through the medium of one 
man, and a few fungi serve to prolong these dis- 
gusting orgies for many days at atime. The very 
same erroneous impressions as to size and distance 
produced by this plant, are also created by the 
haschisch and majoon of India, and are frequently 
