COMMON MUSHROOMS OF THE UNITED STATES 



405 



ograph by Roland McKee 



the inky coprinus {Coprinus atramentarius variety), edible 



This variety lacks the fine scales on the top of the cap, which are prominent in the typical 

 form. The very delicate silvery gray luster of the cap vanishes with the slightest touch. 

 The "ink" from this mushroom makes a forgery-proof writing fluid (see page 439). Natural 



residents there return from collecting trips 

 with their automobiles laden with them. 



In preparing it, either for immediate use or 

 for pickling or canning, the layer of tubes and 

 the tough portion of the stems should be re- 

 moved. When used fresh, the cooking should 

 be rapid over a brisk fire. Frying or broiling 

 with butter or olive oil, with the usual spices 

 added, seems best adapted for this fungus. 

 When pickled, add cloves, bay leaves, and other 

 spices. 



Except for the stem, which is at times much 

 shorter, and club- or pestle-shaped, the illus- 

 tration shows a fully matured plant. When 

 young, the tubes are pale, creamy white, but 

 as the plant develops they become greenish, 

 and when touched or bruised change to a 

 greenish-ocher color, not to blue. 



The species is extremely variable, both as to 

 shape and color, some specimens showing a 

 brownish-lilac color on both cap and stem. 

 The constant features, however, are the colors 

 and color changes of the tube layer, and the 

 fine mesh of white lines on the stem, usually 

 but not always confined to the upper part. 



The edible Orange-cap Boletus (Boletus 

 versipcllis) is much coarser and larger than 

 the cepe and not so desirable. Still, in the ab- 

 sence of something better, it is eaten by those 

 who must have their mushrooms (see page 

 406). _ 



It is quite common and easily recognized by 

 the numerous rough, blackish points on the 

 stem and by the overlapping margin of the red- 

 dish- or orange-colored cap. Its flesh changes 

 color to a neutral, reddish gray. 



