Closely related to the genus Amanita there are field mushrooms of the genus Lepiota, which resemble fairly closely the Destroying Angel in every way except in the absence of the universal veil, or volva, at the base. It might not be advis able, however, at the outset to use even these.
Another group of the Agarics to which the ama teur may turn his attention with no fear of harm, is that which includes the oyster mushroom (Plea rotus ostreatus) and its allies. These fungi grow in the form of clusters of shelving plants, which may be found on old stumps and logs or on exposed roots where decay has set in. The clusters may attain a diameter of a foot or more, and an exami nation of the individual plants which constitute the cluster will show that the stem is attached excentrically, or at one edge of the pileus, in some instances the stem being greatly reduced. The gills are white and white spores are produced. The surface of the pileus varies from white to yel lowish with age, or it may even be grayish purple in different forms and species. In most species the gills are decurrent, coursing downward on the stem, gradually losing themselves in mere surface lines. These fungi are found abundantly in most regions of the United States from July to early winter. In the southern states they are not infre quently found at any season so long as the moisture is sufficient.
In the family of pore-bearing mushrooms the more widely distributed edible forms are found in the genus Boletus (Fig. 247). These species con sist of fleshy plants of the characteristic umbrella shape. The stem is central, and frequently the whole plant is highly colored. In place of bearing gills on the lower surface of the pileus, the surface consists of a compact layer of vertically-placed small tubes or pores, and it is over the surface of these that the spores are borne. Boletus edulis, commonly known as the Edible Boletus (called in French, cepe, and in German, Steinp ilz), is a common article of food throughout Europe, and it probably represents in this country a chief source of waste, so far as edible fungi are concerned, since it is very seldom used. An idea of the amount of this waste is suggested by the statement that this species and two or three closely related forms were sold on the market of Munich in 1901 to the extent of about one million pounds, representing a value of nearly two hundred thousand dollars.
Boletus edulis is a plant with a pileus usually red brown on the upper surface, with a lower surface yellowish becoming greenish, slightly discoloring when bruised, white flesh, and with a fleshy stem, yellowish buff in color. Among the Boleti there are several injurious species. General character istics, by which they may be avoided, are a red color of the margins of the pores, the gills or flesh changing color markedly when exposed or injured, and an acrid or peppery taste.
It is safe to say that among the peasantry of Europe, Boletus edulis is almost as common a food product as our well-known vegetables. From the time of its appearance in the early summer until the cold weather of autumn, it is sought every where in the moist woods, and while highly prized in its fresh condition, it is also cut into pieces and dried for winter use. No small amount is canned and exported, the principal exported product being from France, and therefore bearing the name com mercially of eepe. It would appear that it was this species that constituted, during the time of the empire at Rome, the greater bulk of what were known as fungi suilli, not the most highly prized, but yet the fungi eaten by the multitudes.
In the woods of north temperate regions through out the world, and especially abundant in the moist mountain regions, there are found delicate branched fungi, commonly known as Stag-horn mushrooms, Fairy Clubs and others. These species grow on the ground, frequently among the mosses, even in boggy regions. All of the species which are somewhat delicate or of sufficient size are edible and no mis take can be made in appropriating them at will. The larger and more fleshy species are fortunately rather common and of inviting color. They vary from light buff to golden yellow, and the delicate appearance of the plant is unmistakable. The spe cies more commonly used are Clararia Formosa, C. aurca, and r. botrytcs (Fig. 70S).