92 
receipts of all the other market places of the Italian States, if this 
result obtains in Eoine only.” 
How are edible to he distinguished from iwisonous fungi 1 So 
far as I have been able to learn, the only real way of distinguishing 
an edible from a poisonous fuugus, is by finding out the species to 
which it belongs. In botanical works we find laid down for our 
guidance certain rules, but they have all exceptions, more or less, 
and are not absolute. I will name some of them. 
EDIBLE V. 
Edible mushrooms are said for the 
most part 
1. To grow in solitary and airy 
places. 
2. Colour, generally white or brown- 
ish. 
3. Flesh, compact and brittle. 
4. Do not change colour when cut, 
or from exposure to air. 
5. J nice, generally watery. 
P. Odour, agreeable. 
7. Taste, neither bitter, acrid, nor 
astringent. 
8. Insects will eat them. 
9. Generally free from spots or scales. 
POISONOUS. 
Poisonous muslu'ooms, on the con- 
trary, generally grow 
1. In clusters, in woods, and damp 
places. 
2. Colour, usually bright. 
3. Flesh, tough and watery. 
4. Do change colour when cut, 
brown, green, or blue. 
5. Juice, generally milky. 
6. Odour, generally disagreeable 
and powerful. 
7. Taste, acrid, bitter, and astrin- 
gent. 
8. Insects wiU not eat them. 
9. Often scaly or spotted. 
These rules, useful to a certain extent for diagnosis, are most of 
them open to exceptions, as will he seen by some of the species to 
which I shall allude this evenmg. The only general rule is, that 
if a fungus tastes hot, and has a disagreeable aroma, it is unsafe to 
eat it, as it is most likely poisonous ; if, however, it has a delicious 
flavour, and an agreeable aroma, it is safe and edible. The excep- 
tions to this ride are very rare. 
Mr. Worthington Smith, in his popular and excellent little book 
on ‘mushrooms and toadstools,’ of which I have.made great use in 
arranging these notes, says, that no one can he a sure guide to 
others who is not himself a regular fungus eater, and that no 
descriptions can be of value, nor drawings of use, unless they are 
made, with the greatest care, from the objects themselves. To this 
end he has published two cluirts, known to most of you, and one 
