CHAPTER V 
ECONOMIC AND EDIBLE SPECIES 
I T is estimated that there are about 30,000 valid species 
of fungi. Of this enormous assemblage, probably not 
more than 250 are of any economic importance, including 
about 100 esculent species. 
Some poisonous species are occasionally put to a useful 
purpose— e.g. t an extract of the Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) 
is used in Lapland to poison insects. 
Polypoms squamosus and P. betulinus were at one time used 
in the manufacture of razor-strops. 
Fomes igniavius , F. foment arias, and Polyporus sulphureus were 
used as tinder in the days of flint and steel. It was prepared 
by boiling in a solution of nitre. These species were also in 
request as styptics for slight wounds, and they are still used 
by the Kamchatkans as snuff. An interesting series of 
objects (bedroom slippers, smoking-caps, etc.) made from 
pliant sheets of Fomes fomentarius may be seen in one of the 
museums at Kew. 
Puff-balls were at one time extensively used in rural 
districts as styptics. The practice has not quite died out 
I was recently told by an old Sussex labourer that he always 
kept a few ripe “ puffs ” in his [cottage for this purpose. 
They were also used to stupefy bees, and for tinder. We 
are reminded of these ancient uses in a poem alluding to 
some bygone customs, which has the following verse: 
“ The aged puffballs shall help us to cheat 
The dainty bees of their luscious meat; 
While others shall turn to give us light, 
And scare from our dell the dreary night.” 
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