It is a common notion, but utterly destitute of foundation, that dangerous F. may be distinguished from those which it is safe to eat by their discoloring a silver spoon if they are stirred with it whilst they are being cooked. Nor is greater depend ence to be placed on the rule that the more readily deliquescent F. are poisonous; nor on •peculiarities of color of the flesh or juice, except in' so far as these characters may avail for the discrimination of particular species, the qualities of which are known. The edible F. have generally an agreeable smell and taste, whilst some of the poisonous kinds are offensive both to the nostrils and the palate, but no trustworthy can be laid down.on these points; and some of those which are very pungent and acrid when raw, become bland and wholesome when cooked, their acridity being dissipated by heat.
Among the most important edible fungi are: Hymenomycetes. —The common mushroom, champignon, and numerous other agarics and fungi closely allied to true agarics, as species of cortinaria cantharellus, etc. These will be noticed in the article Mrsmtoom.
A number of species of boletus (q.v.), and of polyporus. See AMADOU. Fistulina hepatica. See FISTULINA. Several specimens of hydnum (q.v.). Several species of clavaria, some of which are found in Britain; beautiful F., with a thickish stem which divides into numerous small branches. It is said that all the species of this genus are esculent. although some are very superior to the rest in flavor and delicacy. One species (C. flare) is popularly known in Germany as ziegenbart or goat's-beard. They grow on the ground in woods and pastures.
Gasteromyeetes.—Different kinds of puff-ball (q.v.), in a young state, and whilst still fleshy throughout.
Ascomyceles.—Different species of morel (q.v.), helvella (q.v.), verpa, peziza, etc. The common truffle (q.v.), and allied species. Cyttaria Dancing, which grows on living branches of South American beeches, and forms a principal part of the food of the natives of Terra del Fuego during some months of 'the year.
"It is a curious fact that the poisonous properties of mushrooms vary with climate, and probably with the season of the year at which they are gathered. Another circum stance deserving of notice is, that by idiosyncrasy some individuals are liable to be seriously affected even by those species which are usually regarded as innocent. Some species which are poisonous in this country, are used freely by the Russians; it appears they are in the habit of salting, boiling, and compressing them before they are eaten; and this may in some instances suffice to account for their having no noxious effects.
"Symptoms and Effects.—The noxious species of mushrooms act sometimes as nar cotics, at others as irritants. It would appear from the reports of several cases, that when the narcotic symptoms are excited, they come on soon after the meal at which the mushrooms have been eaten, and that they are chiefly manifested by giddiness, dim ness of sight, and debility. The person appears as if intoxicated, and there are singular illusions of sense. Spasms and convulsions have been occasionally witnessed among the symptoms when the case has proved fatal. In some instances, the symptoms of poison ing have not commenced until thirty hours after the meal; and in these, narcotism fol lowed the symptoms of irritation. It might. be supposed that these variable effects were due to different properties in the mushrooms, but the same F. have acted on members of the same family, in one case like irritants, and in another like narcotics. In most cases, recovery takes place, especially if-vomiting be early induced. In the few instances which have proved fatal, there has been greater or less inflammation in the stomach and bowels, with congestion of the vessels of the brain.
" Treatment. –Tlie free use of emetics and castor oil."—Taylor On Poisons.
See Dr. Badham's Treatise on the Esculent Funguses of Great Britain; and Fungi, by M. 0. Cooke, edited by Rev. M. J. Berkeley (1875).