FUNGI EDIBLE AND POISONOUS 
William A. Murrill 
An article on this subject prepared by the writer appeared 
nearly a year ago in the fourth volume of the second edition of 
“Wood’s Reference Handbook of the Medical Sciences.” The 
plan of the article included a general introduction to edible and 
poisonous mushrooms; a list of edible mushrooms selected by 
Dr. Peck after nearly fifty years’ experience; preparing and cook- 
ing mushrooms ; descriptions of edible and poisonous species ; 
and a brief glossary containing the technical terms used. In 
addition to the 23 pages of descriptive matter, 26 species are 
illustrated with ordinary half-tones and 22 with colored half- 
tones. 
The edible and poisonous species described in this paper are 
carefully selected with special reference to their economic use or 
their dangerous properties. A number of species are omitted 
because they might be confused with poisonous species. Follow- 
ing the scientific description in each instance, are notes calling 
attention to special characteristics, occurrence, methods of cook- 
ing, etc. 
No attempt is made to prepare a key to the species, since re- 
liable keys are possible only when all the known plants of a group 
or of a region are included. The arrangement of the species fol- 
lows the lines of classification adopted by the best authorities. 
List of Species Described 
Morchella esculenta Pers. Edible 
Clavaria flava Schaefif. Edible 
Hydnum repandum L. Edible 
Hydnum Caput-ursi Fries. Edible 
FistuUna hepatica (Huds.) Fries. Edible 
Grifola frondosa (Dicks.) S. F. Gray. Edible 
Laetiporus speciosus (Batt.) Murrill. Edible 
Tylopilus felleus (Bull.) P. Karst. Inedible 
Ceriomyces crassus Batt. Edible 
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