154 



GEOLOGY OF LA SALLE COUNTY. 



In the Polyporei the spores are discharg-ed from 

 the tubes, but not in so t^^reat quantity as from the ^ill 

 bearing-, while in other orders they are developed in 

 different ways. There is much that is wonderful and 

 strang-e about these plants, and a g'reat field for inves- 

 tig-ation exists here. But are the}^ fit to eat? Yes; 

 forty or more species if you know enoug-h to select the 

 rigfht ones. The common mushroom white and smooth 

 above; g-ills pink or purple pink, almost every one 

 knows, but this is but one of many which ma}^ be 

 safely eaten. The last of Ma}^ and first half of June 

 you may find about the roots of oak trees a pear-shaped, 

 pale-yellowish brown object having- a short thick stem. 

 It is from one and one-half to three and a half inches 

 long-„ one to two inches broad, and its sides are full of 

 little pits, as if they had been scooped out or g-nawed. 

 This is the Morell — Morchilla esculenta, a hig-lily val- 

 ued mushroom, and one of the earliest to appear. The 

 following- notes may be of use to you: First, use com- 

 mon sense. Do not eat a mushroom of which you 

 know nothing-. Second, always taste a strang-e one; if it 

 has a hot, biting- taste cook it thoroug'hly with plenty of 

 salt and taste it. If still hot and biting- drop it; if the 

 biting- flavor has departed eat a little and see if it 

 affects you in any way. Go slow. Do not make 

 friends too rapidly with brig-ht colored species. Be 

 sure to use none but those that are fresh; never let 

 them stand long- after g-athering- before cooking-. If 

 when cut or broken they g-ive out milk, be careful. We 

 have known g-ood mushrooms when kept to produce bad 

 effects. The puff balls, when white and clean within, 

 an excellent and safe. Never collect mushrooms 

 which have g-rown amid filth and dirt. 

 Order. AGARICINI. AGARICS. 

 Gill bearing- Fung'i. 



