Fungi: Their Nature and Uses Part 8

Similar in uses, though differing in appearance, are the species of _Helvella_, of which several are edible. In both these genera, the individuals can be dried so readily that they are the more valuable on that account, as they can be used for flavouring in winter when fresh specimens of any kind of fungus are difficult to procure. The most common English species is _Helvella crispa_, Fr., but _Helvella lacunosa_, Fr., is declared to be equally good, though not so large and somewhat rare. _Helvella infula_, Fr., is also a large species, but is not British, although it extends to North America, as also does _Helvella sulcata_, Afz. Intermediate between the morel and _Helvella_ is the species which was formerly included with the latter, but now known as _Gyromitra esculenta_, Fr.[AE] It is rarely found in Great Britain, but is more common on the continent, where it is held in esteem. A curious stipitate fungus, with a pileus like a hood, called _Verpa digitaliformis_, Pers.,[AF] is uncommon in England, but Vittadini states that it is sold in the Italian markets, although only to be recommended when no other esculent fungus offers, which is sometimes the case in spring.[AG]

Two or three species of _Peziza_ have the reputation of being esculent, but they are of very little value; one of these is _Peziza acetabulum_, L., another is _Peziza cochleata_, Huds., and a third is _Peziza venosa_, Pers.[AH] The latter has the most decided nitrous odour, and also fungoid flavour, whilst the former seem to have but little to recommend them; we have seen whole baskets full of _Peziza cochleata_ gathered in Northamptonshire as a subst.i.tute for morels.

A very interesting genus of edible fungi, growing on evergreen beech trees in South America, has been named _Cyttaria_. One of these, _Cyttaria Darwinii_, B., occurs in Terra del Fuego, where it was found by Mr. C. Darwin[AI] growing in vast numbers, and forming a very essential article of food for the natives. Another is _Cyttaria Berteroi_, B., also seen by Mr. Darwin in Chili, and eaten occasionally, but apparently not so good as the preceding.[AJ] Another species is _Cyttaria Gunnii_, B., which abounds in Tasmania, and is held in repute amongst the settlers for its esculent properties.[AK]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 44.--_Cyttaria Gunnii_, B.]

It remains for us only to note the subterranean fungi, of which the truffle is the type, to complete our enumeration of esculent species.

The truffle which is consumed in England is _Tuber aestivum_, Vitt.; but in France the more highly-flavoured _Tuber melanospermum_, Vitt.,[AL] and also _Tuber magnatum_, Pico, with some other species.

In Italy they are very common, whilst some are found in Algeria. One species at least is recorded in the North-west of India, but in Northern Europe and North America they appear to be rare, and _Terfezia Leonis_ is used as an esculent in Damascus. A large species of _Mylitta_, sometimes several inches in diameter, occurs plentifully in some parts of Australia. Although often included with fungi, the curious production known under the name of _Pachyma cocos_, Fr., is not a fungus, as proved by the examinations made by the Rev. M. J.

Berkeley. It is eaten under the name of "Tuckahoe" in the United States, and as it consists almost entirely of pectic acid, it is sometimes used in the manufacture of jelly.

In the Neilgherries (S. India), a substance is occasionally found which is allied to the native bread of southern lat.i.tudes. It is found at an elevation of 5,000 feet. The natives call it "a little man's bread," in allusion to the tradition that the Neilgherries were once peopled by a race of dwarfs.[AM] At first it was supposed that these were the bulbs of some orchid, but later another view was held of their character. Mr. Scott, who examined the specimens sent down to him, remarks that, instead of being the product of orchids, it is that of an underground fungus of the genus _Mylitta_. It indeed seems, he says, very closely allied to, if really distinct from, the so-called native bread of Tasmania.[AN]

Of the fungi employed in medicine, the first place must be a.s.signed to ergot, which is the sclerotioid condition of a species of _Claviceps_.

It occurs not only on rye but on wheat, and many of the wild gra.s.ses.

On account of its active principle, this fungus still holds its place in the Materia Medica. Others which formerly had a reputation are now discarded, as, for instance, the species of _Elaphomyces_; and _Polyporus officinalis_, Fr., which has been partly superseded as a styptic by other substances, was formerly employed as a purgative. The ripe spongy capillitium of the great puff-ball _Lycoperdon giganteum_, Fr., has been used for similar purposes, and also recommended as an anodyne; indeed formidable surgical operations have been performed under its influence, and it is frequently used as a narcotic in the taking of honey. Langsdorf gives a curious account of its employment as a narcotic; and in a recent work on Kamtschatka it is said to obtain a very high price in that country. Dr. Porter Smith writes of its employment medicinally by the Chinese, but from his own specimens it is clearly a species of _Polysacc.u.m_, which he has mistaken for _Lycoperdon_. In China several species are supposed to possess great virtue, notably the _Torrubia sinensis_, Tul.,[AO] which is developed on dead caterpillars; as it is, however, recommended to administer it as a stuffing to roast duck, we may be sceptical as to its own sanitary qualities. _Geaster hygrometricus_, Fr., we have also detected amongst Chinese drugs, as also a species of _Polysacc.u.m_, and the small hard _Mylitta lapidescens_, Horn. In India, a large but imperfect fungus, named provisionally _Sclerotium stipitatum_, Curr., found in nests of the white ant, is supposed to possess great medicinal virtues.[AP] A species of _Polyporus_ (_P. anthelminticus_, B.), which grows at the root of old bamboos, is employed in Burmah as an anthelmintic.[AQ] In former times the Jew's ear (_Hirneola auricula Judae_, Fr.) was supposed to possess great virtues, which are now discredited. Yeast is still included amongst pharmaceutical substances, but could doubtless be very well dispensed with. Truffles are no longer regarded as aphrodisiacs.

For other uses, we can only allude to amadou, or German tinder, which is prepared in Northern Europe from _Polyporus fomentarius_, Fr., cut in slices, dried, and beaten until it is soft. This substance, besides being used as tinder, is made into warm caps, chest protectors, and other articles. This same, or an allied species of _Polyporus_, probably _P. igniarius_, Fr., is dried and pounded as an ingredient in snuff by the Ostyacks on the Obi. In Bohemia some of the large Polyporei, such as _P. igniarius_ and _P. fomentarius_, have the pores and part of the inner substance removed, and then the pileus is fastened in an inverted position to the wall, by the part where originally it adhered to the wood. The cavity is then filled with mould, and the fungus is used, with good effect, instead of flower-pots, for the cultivation of such creeping plants as require but little moisture.[AR]

The barren mycelioid condition of _Penicillium crustaceum_, Fr., is employed in country districts for the domestic manufacture of vinegar from saccharine liquor, under the name of the "vinegar plant." It is stated that _Polysacc.u.m cra.s.sipes_, D. C.,[AS] is employed in the South of Europe to produce a yellow dye; whilst recently _Polyporus sulfureus_, Fr., has been recommended for a similar purpose. _Agaricus muscarius_, Fr., the fly-agaric, known to be an active poison, is used in decoction in some parts of Europe for the destruction of flies and bugs. Probably _Helotium aeruginosum_, Fr.,[AT] deserves mention here, because it stains the wood on which it grows, by means of its diffuse mycelium, of a beautiful green tint, and the wood thus stained is employed for its colour in the manufacture of Tonbridge ware.

This completes the list, certainly of the most important, of the fungi which are of any direct use to humanity as food, medicine, or in the arts. As compared with lichens, the advantage is certainly in favour of fungi; and even when compared with algae, the balance appears in their favour. In fact, it may be questioned whether, after all, fungi do not present a larger proportion of really useful species than any other of the cryptogams; and without any desire to disparage the elegance of ferns, the delicacy of mosses, the brilliancy of some algae, or the interest which attaches to lichens, it may be claimed for fungi that in real utility (not uncombined with injuries as real) they stand at the head of the cryptogams, and in closest alliance with the flowering plants.

[A] Badham, Dr. C. D., "A Treatise on the Esculent Funguses of England," 1st edition (1847), p. 81, pl. 4; 2nd edition, edited by F. Currey, M.A. (1863), p. 94, pl. 4; Cooke, M. C., "A Plain and Easy Account of British Fungi," 1st edition (1862), p. 44.

[B] Mr. Worthington Smith has published, on two sheets, coloured figures of the most common esculent and poisonous fungi (London, Hardwicke), which will be found more useful than mere description in the discrimination of the species.

[C] Roques, J., "Hist. des Champignons Comestibles et Veneneux,"

Paris (1832), p. 130.

[D] Lenz, Dr. H. 0., "Die Nutzlichen und Schadlichen Schwamme," Gotha (1831), p. 32, pl. 2.

[E] Bull, H. G., in "Transactions of Woolhope Club" (1869). Fries admits them as distinct species in the new edition of his "Epicrisis."

[F] Hussey's "Ill.u.s.trations of Mycology," ser. i. pl. 79.

[G] Sowerby's "British Fungi," pl. 244.

[H] Favre-Guillarmod, "Les Champignons Comestibles du Canton de Neuchatel" (1861), p. 27.

[I] Sowerby, "English Fungi," pl. 122; Smith, in "Seemann's Journ.

Bot." (1866), t. 46, f. 45.

[J] Klotsch, "Flora Borussica," t. 374; Smith, in "Seem. Journ. Bot."

(1869), t. 95, f. 1-4.

[K] Krombholz, "Abbildungen der Schwamme," pl. 41, f. 1-7.

[L] Tratinnick, L., "Fungi Austriaci," p. 47, pl. 4, f. 8.

[M] Vittadini, "Fungi Mangerecci," pl. 23.

[N] Cooke, in "Journal of Botany," vol. viii. p. 352.

[O] Cooke, M. C., "A Plain and Easy Guide," &c., p. 38, pl. 6, fig.

1.

[P] Krombholz, "Schwamme," t. 8. Vittadini, "Mang." t. 1.

[Q] Vittadini, "Mangerecci," t. 9.

[R] Berkeley, "Outlines," pl. 3, fig. 5.

[S] Saunders and Smith, "Mycological Ill.u.s.tr." pl. 23.

[T] Cooke, M. C., "Handbook of British Fungi," vol. i. pl. 1, fig.

2.

[U] "Gardener's Chronicle" (1869), p. 1066.

[V] Berkeley, "Outlines of British Fungology," p. 64.

[W] Cooke, "Easy Guide to British Fungi," pl. 11.

[X] Ibid., pl. 12.

[Y] Hussey, "Mycol. Ill.u.s.t." pl. 12.

[Z] Bulliard, "Champ." t. 268.

[a] Cooke, "Easy Guide," pl. 4, fig. 1; Hussey, "Ill.u.s.t." vol. ii.

pl. 40.

[b] Greville, "Scot. Crypt. Flora," t. 166.

[c] Ibid., t. 91.

[d] Sowerby, "Fungi," pl. 56; Schaeffer, "Icones Bav." t. 72.

[e] Trattinnick, L., "Die Essbaren Schwamme" (1809), p. 82, pl. M; Barla, J. B., "Champignons de la Nice" (1859), p. 34, pl. 19.

[f] Smith, "Edible Mushrooms," fig. 26.

[g] Barla, "Champ. Nice," t. 20, f. 4-10.

[h] Vittadini, C., "Funghi Mangerecci" (1835), p. 209; Barla, "Champ.

Nice," pl. i.