376 FIRST FORMS OF VEGETATION. 
noticed among idiots and lunatics. It is not im- 
probable that many poor half-demented creatures, 
particularly if old and ugly, have suffered martyr- 
dom at the stake during the witch-mania of Scot- 
land owing to this natural defect; inability to 
step over a straw being considered the conclusive 
test of familiarity with evil spirits. It may be 
mentioned that the Fly Agaric is historically in- 
teresting as having caused the death of the Czar 
Alexis by eating it ; for notwithstanding its highly 
dangerous properties it is sometimes cooked and 
eaten in Russia. 
Passing from the consideration of the noxious 
properties of fungi, they exhibit themselves to us 
now in a more interesting and pleasing aspect as 
edible substances. In common with other classes 
of plants which have the reputation of being 
poisonous, and yet contain several esculent species 
invaluable to man, the fungi, although considered 
as a class dangerous and unwholesome, yet yield 
in many instances a large and varied supply of 
palatable and nutritious food. No country is per- 
haps richer in edible fungi than Great Britain ; but 
such is the extent of wilful ignorance and silly pre- 
judice regarding them, arising from their cold, 
moist, clammy nature, and the disagreeable situa- 
tions in which they often grow, that this savoury 
and important food is year after year allowed to 
