Mushroom and Toadstools: How to Distinguish Easily the Differences Between Edible and Poisonous Fungi — John Shaqi
Mushroom and Toadstools: How to Distinguish Easily the Differences Between Edible and Poisonous FungiSmith, Worthington George
Science
Mushroom and Toadstools: How to Distinguish Easily the Differences Between Edible and Poisonous Fungi
Smith, Worthington George
Edible mushrooms -- Great Britain; Mushrooms, Poisonous -- Great Britain
Since these notes and the following descriptions were written, my
friend Mr. F. C. Penrose, architect, has sent me a list of twenty-eight
species he has eaten, most of which are figured on the “Edible Sheet”;
the other species mentioned by him and not figured on the sheet are
referred to in the descriptions.
The nomenclature of the species is the same with that given by the
Rev. M. J. Berkeley in his “Outlines of British Fungology”; the numbers
inserted after the _scientific_ name refer to my large drawings in the
Food Department of the Bethnal Green Museum, where, if the student so
desires, he may see dissections of the species.
[Illustration]
EDIBLE MUSHROOMS.
=Red-fleshed Mushroom.= Fig. 1.
(_Agaricus_ [_Amanita_] _rubescens._) 7.
This species is generally abundant in all _woody_ places, making its
first appearance in early summer and continuing till late in the
autumn. It is known by its brown warty top, its white gills, and
perfect ring encircling the bulbous stem. It frequently attains a
large size, and its whole substance, when touched, bruised, or broken,
_becomes sienna-red_. This species is one of the most beautiful as well
as valuable of all the British Agarics. If care be taken to select
young and fresh specimens only, when prepared for the table, it will
prove a very light and delicate addition to any meal. Mr. Berkeley does
not subscribe to the excellence of this species; but as far as my own
experience and that of many friends go, I _well know it to be delicious
and perfectly wholesome_. Mr. Penrose writes me: “_Old specimens_ are
very indigestible.” This I imagine contains the whole secret of its
questionable name amongst some who have (or have not) tried it.
=Edible Tube-Mushroom.= Fig. 2.
(_Boletus edulis._) 610.
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