
294 MUSHROOMS. 
quite novel, or at least of occasional occurrence. Dependent — 
as it would seem on some atmospherical conditions, species 
of fungi are meteoric, and visit places which seem quite 
singular and remarkable. Some extraordinary specimens of 
the exquisite Morel (Morchella esculenta) were found in the 
coal cinders in the rear of the Eastern Railroad depot, 
by the late Mr. Knights, a worthy employee there. Occi- 
sionally I have seen it in old orchards, but should scarcely 
. have supposed it the product of cinders. The beautiful 
Cyclomyces was first discovered many years ago in Tewk* 
bury, in this State, by Dr. B. D. Greene, and found to be 
entirely unknown before, though subsequently occurring 
elsewhere. I look for the possibility of the appearance of 
the truffe in some sections of the limestone strata of the 
United States; and other wonderful and beautiful sorts are 
only waiting to be found. 
The value of the larger fungi as articles of food is scarcely 
known and hardly appreciated in this country. The table 
recognizes them chiefly in the presence of ketchup, made of 
species indiscriminately gathered by those who prefer this 
article or sauce. It is probable that a few only are really 
deleterious and poisonous, and even these are rendered com- 
paratively innocuous by heat and spices. Otherwise than 
this they are rather objects of prejudice, and most persons 
look upon them with disgust. Even for their mere exterior 
beauty they are seldom sought, and still less are they em- 
ployed for ornament, like their equally fugacious and s0olr 
fading sisters, the many sorts of wild flowers which decorate 
wo 
the parlor. I have, however, seen them gathered ar a 
ranged for this purpose, and with singular effect; 2” a 
interest such groups, exhibited at the Horticultural jee 
Rooms in Boston, elicited was worthy of remark. The mi 
; i ines” 18 
ber of the Agarics described by Berkley in his Outlines > 
564, as found in England, yet scarcely more than @* © 
Species, the A. campestris, is made an article of food. 
_ Species is represented in this country, and when ¢0? 
pedi 



