90 
NOTE8 ON EDIBLE FUNGI. 
increased my list of edible varieties to over three hundred. All 
of these have been thoroughly tested by myself. I am able to 
assert, positively, from having eaten full meals of them often, 
that Russula emetica is as good as any Russula ; that many of the 
spring varieties of Russula, sweet in the spring, are as peppery as 
the emetica when they grow in the autumn.” 
“ Both Agaricus epixanthus and Agaricus fascicularis are 
excellent. The Boletus satanas is one of the very best of the 
Boleti . 
“ For some years I have been delving into the mystery of pro- 
pagation from the spores of the wild species, and have met with 
but little success. While I feel assured that I have the secret of 
growing Cantharellus cibarius from the spores, I am only certain 
that I can grow the Agaricus procerus. My researches convince 
me that, as the spores of Agaricus arvensis and Agaricus campestris 
are fecundated while in the digestive apparatus of the horse,* and 
that the fertilized spores are scattered and buried in our pastures 
from horse* droppings, by a common black beetle (‘tumble bug’) 
the spores of the Russules and many other varieties have to pass 
through the system of insects that prey upon them before they 
will propagate their kind. I do not think any process will grow 
any variety of the Agaricini or Boleti (except A. procerus ) before 
the spores have passed through some insect or animal, in which 
the impregnation of the spores occurs. Lycoperdon giganteum 
comes within this belief. 
“ My experiments tell me that many varieties of edible and non- 
edible fungi can be propagated from the mycelium, but the habitat 
of the species must be religiously observed and maintained.” 
There are some remarks in the above quotations which we would 
like to see confirmed before we place implicit faith in them, 
especially the fertilization of spores in some animator insect host. 
As to the growth of Agarics, and even of Lycoperdon , from 
mycelium we have been convinced by experience. By the accumu- 
lation of facts we shall come near the truth — some day. — M. G. G. 
NEW EXOTIC FUNGI. 
By M. C. Cooke. 
Polystictus (Discipedes) nigrescens, Cooke. 
Pileo submembranaceo, plano, reniformi, laevi, glabro (5-10 
c.m. diam.), fuligineo-nigrescente, postice in stipitem brevem 
disciformi producto, margine acuto, subfissili, poris brevissimis, 
minutis, rotundatis, aequalibus, fusco-nigricantibus. Contextu 
pallido. 
On trunks. Brazil. ( Glaziou , 18,767.) 
Hydnum stereoides, Cooke. 
Pileis membranaceo-coriaceis, numerosis, imbricatis, stipatis, 
* And this has been as strongly denied. 
