(' 204 } 
and tcndernels of texture. But although we 
make ufe of it at our tables, almoffexcluiively^ 
it has not the fame preeminence in other 
countries; and the inhabitants of Ruffia de- 
vour almoft every fpecjes, even thofe which 
by other nations are efteemed poifonous* 
The noxious qualities of mufhrooms may be 
doubted of. Inftances of injury from the cu- 
linary ufe of the fungi tribe are certainly rare ; 
and when they have occurred,, it has remained 
doubtful, whether the poifon proceeded from 
the mumroom, or from the vefTel in which it 
was dreiTed. But as mufhrooms make a part 
of our diet more palatable than nutritive, it 
can never be neceffary to eat them ; and par- 
ticularly if they are found hard it will be 
prudent to refrain from doing fb, as it is pro- 
bable the poifonous effects recorded of them 
may fo me times have arifcn from want of 
fufficient ftewing ; for we have daily expe- 
rience of the falutary ufe of fire to many of 
our vegetables, which in their frefih. ftate 
would be fo far from affording wholefome 
food, that they could not be eaten without 
producing pernicious confequences. And the 
difufe of any particular fpecies of diet is of 
lefs confequen.ce to highly civilized patrons, 
whofc 
