ON THE AMERICAN ESCULENT FUNGI. 



79 



I am fond of chewing the fresh stems. From this peculiarity, in 

 connexion with its movable ring, its form and colours, I deem it 

 a perfectly safe species to recommend for collecting. We have 

 no species likely to be mistaken for it, except A. rachodes ; and I 

 fully tested the innocence of this before commending the first to 

 others. This has been suspected by some ; but I have found it 

 harmless. Though pretty well flavoured, it is not comparable with 

 A. procerus, and the flesh is so thin and spongy that no one 

 w r ould choose it when those of more compact texture are to be 

 had. A. excoriatus, of the same group, is a much preferable 

 species. 



The Morell is one of my greatest favourites, but this is not 

 found in quantity except in calcareous districts. A few days 

 since (April 21st) I had a dozen for supper, the largest number 

 I ever had at one time. 



The Lycoperdon giganteum is also a great favourite with me, 

 as it is indeed with all my acquaintances who have tried it. It 

 has not the high aroma of some others ; but it has a delicacy of 

 flavour that makes it superior to any omelette I have ever eaten. 

 It seems, furthermore, to be so digestible as to be adapted- to the 

 most delicate stomachs. This is the South Down of Mushrooms. 



In this latitude (about 36°) we can find good Mushrooms for 

 the table during nine or ten months of the year. Including 

 A. salignus, which some are quite fond of, we can have them in 

 every month, as this species comes out during any warm spell in 

 winter. A. canipestris makes its appearance here as early as 

 March, but not in full crop until September. Several excellent 

 species of the Tricholoma group do not spring up until after frost 

 sets in, and continue into December. Such is the case, too, with 

 Boletus collinitus, which sometimes emerges from the earth frozen 

 solid. 



These observations and experiences are confined chiefly to the 

 Carolinas, though I presume, from casual observation elsewhere 

 and from information derived from correspondents in other States, 

 that, making some allowance for difference of climate and length 

 of seasons, what I have said is generally applicable to the whole 

 country. 



Truly and respectfully yours, 



M. A. Curtis. 



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