Part 13

[105] Some mycologists however, as Persoon and Roques, conceive that the common dust of puff-balls is analogous to the pollen of the higher plants, while the real seed is to be sought and found in a finer dust, which is entangled in the reticular meshes at the base of these plants. Others suppose the fluid which bathes the interiors of those little organs, in which the seeds are packed, to be in other funguses the source of their fecundation. But these at present are mere conjectures.

[106] Several byssoid growths are in this predicament.

[107]

“Who seek for life in creatures they dissect, Will lose it in the moment they detect.”—_Pope._

[108] The colours of the spores are of considerable practical use in distinguishing the members of the large family of Agarics, some of which are determined by them.

[109] It appears too mechanical an explanation of a phenomenon so purely vital as growth, to make it in any way dependent on a system of wedges, however ingeniously applied.

[110] “The facility with which these floccose threads are injured, and their connection destroyed, explains,” says Vittadini, “the difficulty of transplanting funguses with success.”

[111] The great rapidity with which these wonderful changes succeed each other in funguses with a volva, is widely different from what occurs in those that have none. Thus the Morel takes thirty-one days, Geasters six, and many Tubers twelve months for their full development: so that “To come up like a mushroom” is a proverb with limitations.

[112] When the base is formed before the receptacle, the fibres are continuous; but when the receptacle has been formed first, as the fibres of the last cannot be transmitted through those already formed, these two parts remain distinct.

[113] In the first instance the fungus is called _annulate_, in the second _cortinate_.

[114] _i. e._ when these happen to be of different hues originally, the fragments of the veil being in some places covered by those of the wrapper, in others naked.

[115] Raii Syn. 2.

[116] λευκὸς, _white_, and σπόρος, a _seed_.

[117] _Ag. ovoides_ (Bull.), which is white, and _Ag. Cæsareus_ (Scop.), which is red, with yellow gills, belong to this division.

[118] λεπὶς, a _scale_.

[119] _Armilla_, a _ring_.

[120] This ring seems formed by the external fibres of the stalk, which, having reached the posterior extremity of the gills, are reflected backwards to the margin of the pileus when they become attached.

[121] _Limax_, a _slug_.

[122] θρὶξ, a _hair_, and λῶμα, a _fringe_.

[123] Not described by Vittadini among the esculent funguses of Italy, and so probably unknown there.

[124] _Russulus_, red.

[125] γάλα, _milk_, and ῥέω, to _flow_.

[126] κλίτος, a _declivity_, and κυβὴ, a _head_.

[127] δασὺς, _thick_, and φύλλον, a _leaf_.

[128] καμάρα, a _vault_, and φύλλον, a _leaf_.

[129] χόνδρος, a _ligament_, and ποῦς, a _foot_.

[130] κόλλυβος, a _copper coin_.

[131] μύκης, a _fungus_.

[132] ὀμφαλὸς, _umbilicus_.

[133] πλευρὸν, a _side_, and ποῦς, a _foot_.

[134] ὑπὸ, _under_, and ῥόδεος, _rose-coloured_.

[135] κλίτος, a _declivity_, and πῖλος, a _cap_.

[136] λεπτὸς, _slender_.

[137] Nola, _a little bell_.

[138] ἐκκοιλόω, _to hollow out_.

[139] _Cortina_, _a veil_.

[140] τελαμὼν, _lint_.

[141] ἱνὸς, _of a fibre_, λῶμα, a _fringe_.

[142] δέρμα, a _skin_, and κυβὴ, a _head_.

[143] Pratum, a _pasture_.

[144] ψάλιον, a _ring_.

[145] κόπρος, _dung_.

[146] κάνθαρος, a _cup_.

[147] πολὺς, _many_, and πόρος, a _pore_.

[148] βῶλος, a _ball_.

[149] Named from the _fistulous_ nature of the hymenium.

[150] ὕδνον, a _truffle_, etc.

[151] _Clava_, a _club_.

[152] Name Latinized from the German _Bofist_.

[153] They are reproduced in these rings about the same time every year, the circle continuing to enlarge till it breaks up at last into irregular lines, which is a sure sign to the collector that the _Prunulus_ is about to disappear from that place, just as the presence of an unbroken ring is conclusive of a plentiful harvest the next spring.

[154] These lobes, formed by the constriction of the pileus, whilst emerging from the roots of the grass, are sometimes so much strangulated as to present the appearance of small stalkless Agarics growing from the large, and projecting from their sides like ears.

[155] That is, connected by a tooth to the end of the stalk, and not running down it.

[156] The _Prunulus_ is much prized in the Roman market, where it easily fetches 30 baiocchi, _i. e._ 15_d._ per lb.; a large sum for any luxury at Rome. It is sent in little baskets as presents to patrons, fees to medical men, and bribes to Roman lawyers. When dried, it constitutes the so-called “Funghi di Genoa,” which are sold on strings throughout Italy.

[157] If the Suillus be indeed the same as the modern Porcino, as its name would imply, few who know how good it is will be disposed to pity Martial, who laments his hard case, in having had to eat this fungus at his patron’s table, while he feasted on the Boletus, _i. e._ the _Ag. Cæsareus_. It would seem however from this epigram, that the Suillus was not in Martial’s time, what it now unquestionably is, a favourite with the rich.

[158] “Il Sorvegliatore fa gettare ai venditori tutti i funghi fracidi e quelli che crede nocivi, ed è assolutamente proibita la vendita dei così detti prateroli buoni o cattivi che sieno.”—_Sanguinetti_ (extract from an unpublished letter).

[159] “This is that variety of _Ag. campestris_ which has been so often confounded with the _Amanita verna_, and with these the _Ag. albus virosus_; all these funguses, besides presenting a strong similarity in appearance, are found in the same locality, and at about the same time of year.”—_Vitt._

[160] Ude complains that we have none of the light French wines for sauces except champagne. Cider or perry will, however, be found good substitutes.

[161] “Hopkirk records an instance of one weighing five pounds six ounces, and measuring forty-three inches in circumference. Withering mentions another that weighed fourteen pounds.”—_Berkeley._

[162] “It is commonly supposed that such funguses as change colour afford thereby a clear evidence of their noxious properties, and yet daily experience, as far as it went, ought to have led to just the opposite conclusion. Almost all the poisonous Agarics have a flesh that does _not_ change colour, and we know as yet of no Boletus, many of which _do_ so change, that is really unsafe to eat.”—_Vitt._

[163] This blue loses much of its intensity by long exposure to the air. It is moreover to be remarked that in specimens, the flesh of which has been eaten into by slugs or insects, no change of colour takes place.

[164] This requires further corroboration.

[165] Sc. “Blue Hats” (?), as _Ag. Georgii_ is called “White Caps,” and _Ag. Oreades_ “Scotch Bonnets.”

[166] This mushroom, famous for the flavour it imparts to rich soups and gravies, is also used in the French “à la mode” beef shops in London, with the view of heightening the flavour of that dish. As the aroma is dissipated by overcooking, it should be thrown in only a few minutes before serving. The dried Champignon is much more extensively used in France and Italy than it is in England.

[167] Although the _Ag. oreades_ be, properly speaking, a terrestrial and not a parasitical fungus, still as it springs up amidst the roots of the grasses and flourishes by depriving them of their supplies, the herbage in its neighbourhood is the first to scorch up and wither.

[168] I have, however, found them _white_.

[169] “Dans le département des landes on sème l’Agaricus Palomet. Pour cela on se contente d’arroser la terre d’un bosquet planté en chênes avec de l’eau dans laquelle on a fait bouillir une grande quantité de ces champignons; la culture n’exige d’autres soins que d’éloigner de ces lieux les chevaux, les pores et les bêtes à cornes, qui sont très-friandes de ces plantes; ce moyen réussit toujours, mais nous laissons aux physiciens à nous expliquer pourquoi l’ébullition n’a pas fait mourir les germes.”—_Thore._

[170] The reader must not conclude from this that soil, any more than age, will account for such differences; there is a _variety_ of _Ag. alutaceus_, described by Vittadini, which he says is “endowed with a very caustic taste, smelling of pepper, and to be avoided.” The kind _generally_ found in England is probably the same as this, which Bulliard has described under the name of _Ag. alutaceus acris_.

[171] “Sospettando ragionevolmente dietro le esperienze del Krapf e del Roques che questo fungo potesse esser nocivo all’ uomo e non agli animali, ho voluto anch’io sperimentarlo su di me stesso.”—_Vitt._

[172] I lately found a _single_ specimen of it, which Vittadini says is rare.

[173] On the Poplar and Willow, according to Vittadini; Apple and Laburnum, on the authority of Berkeley; Elm and Ash, on my own.

[174] In some specimens the gills are _all_ solitary.

[175] Vitt.

[176] It is probable that the varieties here referred to belonged to _Ag. euosmus_, B. Care must be taken to distinguish between the two, as _Ag. euosmus_ is an unsafe species.—ED.

[177] Vitt.

[178] A countryman, last spring (1847), stumbled upon a large quantity in the neighbourhood of Chiselhurst, Kent, and being struck with their appearance gathered some, and took them to a medical man of the place, who, not recognizing the plant, suffered the whole to perish! He has since been made aware of his mistake.

[179] It is a common fraud in the Italian market for the salesmen to soak them in water; which increases their weight, but spoils their flavour.

[180] In the Roman market the Morell is held in little esteem, and sells for 4_d._ or 5_d._ per lb. Three varieties of the _esculenta_ are brought in by the “Asparagarii,” _i. e._ the peasants who gather the _wild_ Asparagus on the hills; viz. the _M. rotunda_, which is almost globose, _M. vulgaris_, and _M. fulva_, which is of a tawny colour.

[181] Though the _F. hepatica_ grows both upon oak and chestnut trees, this difference in its origin never perceptibly affects the plant, which is equally good, whether it be gathered from one or from the other.

[182] Whence the vernacular names, “Orgella,” “Orgelle,” and “Oreille.”

[183] Most authors compare this odour to that of fresh meal, but as several friends think with me that the above comparison is more accurate, I have ventured to substitute it.

[184] Mr. Berkeley says rose-coloured; Vittadini pale rust-colour; but I find that on placing a watch-glass thickly coated with spores on fine brown-holland, the colours very nearly correspond.

[185] Berk. Brit. Fung.

[186] The lobes are at first nearly white, afterwards of an ash-grey colour on the under surface; the upper, or that which bears the seed membrane, continuing white.

[187] Another species of _Peziza_, the _P. cochleata_, grew very abundantly last spring in Holwood Park, Keston. This species is quite insipid, and somewhat leathery, but Mr. Berkeley has seen it offered for sale under the name of Morell.

[188] The toughness is owing to its being stewed too quickly; when properly sweated with butter, as recommended for _C. coralloides_, it is quite tender.

[189] There are, in fact, three at first, whereof the external one either coalesces with the second, or else peels off in shreds, when the other two become united, and continue to maintain the globular form of the Puff-ball unimpaired, even after the escape of the seed.

[190] Without appendages.

[191] Vittadini recommends, wherever this fungus grows conveniently for the purpose, that it should not be all taken at once, but by slices cut off from the living plant, care being taken not to break up its attachments with the earth; in this way, he says, you may have a fine “frittura” every day for a week.

[192] I have been informed that this Puff-ball is sometimes served on state occasions at the Freemasons’ Tavern.

[193] “Ce Champignon croît au milieu et vers le sommet de l’arbre, de sorte qu’il n’est pas facile à voir ou à récolter.”—_Persoon._

[194] Berkeley.

[195] In 1843, the friends of a patient, for whom I had occasion to prescribe some musk, had recourse to many chemists in succession before the licensed dealer in it could be found, and he was obliged by law to keep it in his back premises.

[196] Night fires. This is to clear the ground under the Chestnut-trees for the falling fruits, which might otherwise be lost amidst the heath. But the practice is unsafe; as many a tree has been charred by the flames, and some have actually taken fire and given rise to a general conflagration.

[197] The whole of the species mentioned in the annexed list were met with by the author this summer and autumn (1847), and partaken of by himself and friends, viz. _Amanita vaginata_; _Ag. rubescens_, _procerus_, _prunulus_, _ruber_, _heterophyllus_, _virescens_; _deliciosus_, _nebularis_, _personatus_, _virgineus_, _fusipes_, _oreades_, _ostreatus_, _Orcella_, _campestris_ (and its varieties _edulis_ and _pratensis_), _exquisitus_, _comatus_, and _ulmarius_; _Cantharellus cibarius_; _Polyporus frondosus_; _Boletus edulis_ and _scaber_; _Fistulina hepatica_; _Hydnum repandum_; _Helvella lacunosa_; _Peziza acetabulum_ and _Bovista plumbea_; _Lycoperdon gemmatum_ and _Clavaria strigosa_.

THE END.

John Edward Taylor, Printer, Little Queen Street, Lincoln’s Inn Fields.