Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-29

excite suspicion, It is frequently eaten with
fatal effects. 1t Is found In spring on the
edges OF woods. but occurs less frequently
in the summer and autumn. Only a few
weeks ago very intelligent Chinaman in
the employ of Count Mitkiewicz gathered
quantity of mushrooms of this species In
the suburbs Of this city, giving most of
them to neighbors. Luckily, they were
afraid to try them, but he partook of some
and died In consequence An injection of
sulphate of atropin would probably have
saved his life
Further Investigation.
1t is the purpose of DR.. Taylor to go
through the entire series of bad mush-
rooms, obtaining from each its specific poi
son in manner similar to that already de-
scribed. There are certain species which,
not actually dangerous to life, are very
acrid, affecting the mucous lining of the
intestinal canal. Among these are the So
called russulas. They produce darrhoea,
often Of an aggravated type. The active
principles of these agarics will be studied
also. There Is species known as the
"emetic" mushroom which would doubtless
be extremely dangerous were 1t not that ii
promptly causes vomiting.
1t is believed that medicinal uses will be
found for some of the mushroom poisons
Already 1t has beer discovered that
amanitin has the effect of checking sweats
Research will be conducted in this line by
experiments with animals.
rule to avoid those that have an unpleas-
ant odor or taste or which grow In filthy
places. Some of the bad agarics are so re-
pulsive in smell and appearance that 1t Is
hard to imagine how anybody could feel
disposed to pluck or eat them. Yet even
the so-called fetid wood witch. the stencil
OF which Is enough to turn the stomach,
has been eaten frequently. The same is
true OF the "trellised clathrus," which has
horrible smell and is extremely dan
gerous. Nothing could be more unpleasant
to the eye than the well known verdi
girls mushroom, which is covered with
disgusting greenish slime. 1t is highly
poisonous.
The Mystery of the Fungi.
Regard with suspicion all mushrooms
whose flesh on being broken turns green
ish or blush. A very poisonous species is
the fiery milk" mushroom, from which
exudes juice that burns the tongue like
fire. Brilliant hues are always to be con-
sidered as doubtful sign. The deadly
Satanic" mushroom has white top with
under surface of bright crimson. When
broken the flesh turns to deep blue. The
tests commonly applied with a silver spoon
or white onion are worthless. Distrust
mushrooms that have thick and fieshy roots
"a characteristic of the deadly amanitas.
Certain of the amanita family are the
finest and most delicious of all agarics
but II viii do for person not expert in
such matters to attempt to distinguish be-
tween the good and the bad.
Mistakes in mushrooms have caused so
meny deaths that most people in this coun-
try do not venture to eat the best-known
esculent varieties Literature on the sub
ject is becoming extensive. however, and
efforts are being made to educate the pub
lie at large in a more exact knowledge of
these plants. Regarded until recently as
mysterious and even uncanny, their very
processes of growth have been held as one
of natures secrets. In the evening they
are not, and on the following morning, loi
the ground is sprinkled with them. They
come from nowhere, developed suddenly
out of nothing, as If by magic.
Within the last few years the mystery
has been solved. 1t is known now that
the vegetation Of the mushroom develops
below the surface of the ground in q fine
network of thread-like filaments termed
'mycelium." This is the so-called spawn"
of the plant. The mushroom is to this
mycelium what it's flower is to tree or
shrub. 1t is formed slowly, beginning with
a knot in the network of spawn, and is
complete In all Its parts before II makes
its appearance above ground. At the same
time it is compressed into very small COM
pass. Presently along comes Moist night
and the little agaric expands, lifting itself
out through the soft earth.
The mushroom bears on its under surface