423 
“ This variety of Amanita muscaria is used by the inhabitants of the 
north-eastern parts of Asia in the same manner as wine, brandy, arrack, 
opium, &c. is by other nations. Such Fungi are found most plentifully 
about Wischna, Kamchatka, and Wilkowa Derecona, and are very abundant 
in some seasons, and scarce in others. They are collected in the hottest 
months, and hung up by a string in the air to dry : some dry of themselves 
on the groimd, and are said to be far more narcotic than those artificially 
preserved. Small deep-coloured specimens, thickly covered with warts, are 
also said to be more powerful than those of a larger size and paler colour. 
The usual mode of taking the Fungus is, to roll it up like a bolus, and swallow 
it without chewing, which, the Kamchatkadales say, would disorder the 
stomach. It is sometimes eaten fresh in soups and sauces, and then loses 
much of its intoxicating property ; when steeped in the juice of the berries of 
Vaccinium uliginosum, its efibcts are those of strong wine. One large, or 
two small Fungi, are a common dose to produce a pleasant intoxication for a 
whole day, particularly if water be drank after it, which augments the narcotic 
principle. The desired effect comes on from one to two hours after taking 
the Fungus. Giddiness and drunkenness result in the same manner as from 
wine or spirits ; cheerful emotions of the mind are first produced; the counte- 
nance becomes flushed ; involuntary words and actions follow, and sometimes 
at last an entire loss of consciousness. It renders some remarkably active, 
and proves highly stimulant to muscular exertion : by too large a dose, vio- 
lent spasmodic effects are produced. So very exciting to the nervous system 
in many individuals, is this Fungus, that the effects are often veiy ludicrous. 
If a person under its influence wishes to step over a straw or small stick, he 
takes a stride or a jump sufficient to clear the trunk of a tree ; a talkative per- 
son cannot keep silence or secrets ; and one fond of music is perpetually sing- 
ing. The most singular effect of the Amanita is the influence it possesses 
over the urine. It is said that, from time immemorial, the inhabitants have 
known that the Fungus imparts an intoxicating quality to that secretion, which 
continues for a considerable time after taking it. For instance, a man mode- 
rately intoxicated to-day wiU, by the next morning, have slept himself sober, 
but (as is the custom), by taking a teacup of his urine he will be more power- 
fully intoxicated than he was the preceding day. It is, therefore, not un- 
common for confirmed drunkards to preserve their urine as a precious liquor 
against a scarcity of the Fungus. The intoxicating property of the urine is 
capable of being propagated ; for every one who partakes of it has his luine 
similarly affected. Thus, with a very few Amanitse, a party of drunkards 
may keep up their debauch for a week. Dr. Langsdorf mentions, that by 
means of- the second person taking the urine of the first, the third of the 
second, and so on, the intoxication may be propagated through five indi- 
viduals.” 
Of parasitical Fungi, the most important are those which are called dry 
rot, such as Polyporus destructor, Merulius lacrymans and vastator &c., 
which are the pest of wooden constructions : next to these come the blight 
in com, occasioned by Puccinia graminis ; the smut and ergot, if they are 
reaUy any thing more than the diseased and disorganised tissue of the plants 
affected ; the mst, which is owing to the ravages of .i^cidiums ; and finally, 
in this class is to be included what we call mildew, minute simple articu- 
lated Mucors, and Mucedos. The genus Rhizomorpha, which vegetates in 
dark mines far from the light of day, is remarkable for its phosphorescent 
properties. In the coal mines near Dresden the species are described as giving 
those places the air of an enchanted castle ; the roof, walls, and pillars, are 
entirely covered with them, their beautiful light almost drizzling the eye. The 
light is found to increase with the temperature of the mines. Ed. P. J. 14. 
