and gills of ivory whiteness. Many instances have
been recorded of poisoning by this fungus, and amongst them some
British soldiers abroad, and yet it cannot be doubted that this fungus
is eaten in Russia. Two instances have come under our notice of
persons with some botanical knowledge, and one a gardener, who had
resided in Russia and eaten of this fungus. In one case the Fly Agaric
was collected and shown to us, and in the other the figure was
indicated, so that we might be under no doubt as to the species. Only
one hypothesis can be advanced in explanation. It is known that a
large number of fungi are eaten in Russia, and that they enter much
into the domestic cookery of the peasantry, but it is also known that
they pay considerable attention to the mode of cooking, and add a
large amount of salt and vinegar, both of which, with long boiling,
must be powerful agents in counteracting the poison (probably somewhat
volatile) of such fungi as the Fly Agaric. In this place we may give a
recipe published by a French author of a process for rendering
poisonous fungi edible. It must be taken on his authority, and not our
own, as we have never made the experiment, notwithstanding it seems
somewhat feasible:--For each pound of mushrooms, cut into moderately
small pieces, take a quart of water acidulated with two or three
spoonfuls of vinegar, or two spoonfuls of bay salt. Leave the
mushrooms to macerate in the liquid for two hours, then wash them with
plenty of water; this done, put them in cold water and make them boil.
After a quarter or half hour's boiling take them off and wash them,
then drain, and prepare them either as a special dish, or use them for
seasoning in the same manner as other species.[B]

This method is said to have been tried successfully with some of the
most dangerous kinds. Of these may be mentioned the emetic mushroom,
_Russula emetica_, with a bright red pileus and white gills, which
has a clear, waxy, tempting appearance, but which is so virulent that
a small portion is sufficient to produce disagreeable consequences. It
would be safer to eschew all fungi with a red or crimson pileus than
to run the risk of indulging in this. A white species, which, however,
is not very common, with a bulbous base enclosed in a volva, called
_Agaricus vernus_, should also be avoided. The pink spored species
should also be regarded with suspicion. Of the _Boleti_ several turn
blue when cut or broken, and these again r