382 FIRST FORMS OF VEGETATION. 
white, like cow’s milk, but in some species is 
variously coloured, being of a bright orange, 
turning to a dull green upon exposure in Lac- 
tavius deliciosus. Like the milk in the laticiferous 
vessels of the flowering plants, such as lettuce, 
dandelion, chicory, and celandine, it exhibits 
singular movements under the microscope. Min- 
ute molecules are observed to move about in it 
with extreme rapidity, exactly like those observ- 
able in gamboge mixed with water. These may 
be phytozoa, being connected in some mysterious 
manner with the reproduction of the plant. It is 
sufficient to mention that this singular group of 
Agarics contains some of the most poisonous and 
deadly of all fungi, and that all the species are 
possessed more or less of the same acrid and nar- 
cotic properties, to justify caution in the use of the 
two members of the group quoted by Dr. Badham 
as esculent, however bland and agreeable they 
may sometimes be found. With regard to the 
other species mentioned by this author, they may 
be used with perfect safety, having stood the test 
of a pretty long and general experience. The 
Boletus edulis (Fig. 40), common in woods and 
pastures all summer and autumn, and easily known 
by its broad, smooth, dark umber cap, and white 
tubes and fawn-coloured stipe, isa most valuable 
article of food, resembling in taste the common 
