!
18, fig. 7) and the false Truffle (Plate 23, fig. 3) are still sold
in Covent Garden market, in consequence of some supposed
healing properties, but they belong to the times of the ancient
herbalists, when the doctrine of signatures was prevalent, and
are rejected as useless by all respectable practitioners.
A few species of Fungi are used in Eastern Asia and
Western Africa as medicines, but their use is mostly problematical.
Cordiceps sinensis, when administered as stuffing
to a roast duck, is said to have wonderful properties, but
the strengthening quality resides probably in the savoury
vehicle.
Ergoted grain, however, which owes its origin to a closely
allied Fungus, is a most valuable medicine in the hands of
the regular practitioner, though often grievously abused from
its specific action on the womb. The peculiar principle upon
which this depends is, I believe, unknown. Yeast is occasionally
used with advantage as a dressing to foul ulcers, hut
whether it has any specific virtue, or whether benefit is derived
from the carhonio acid gas evolved from the flour with
which it is mixed, is perhaps uncertain. I t has also been
prescribed as an internal remedy.
Polyporus igniarius, when pounded, is used as snuff by the
natives in the northern region of Asia. Polysaccum crassipes
is employed in the south of Europe to produce a yellow dye.
The Bloodrain, of which an account is given elsewhere, yields
a vivid red, which is apparently permanent. Several species
of Puff-ball, hut especially the large Bovista, have anaesthetic
properties when burnt, similar to those of chloroform. Operations
have been successfully performed under its influence,
and it is used for taking hives without the destruction of the
bees. Agaricus muscarius is employed both in a fresh and dry
state to produce intoxication, and more profitably in a decoction
to destroy hugs and flies.* Polyporus betulinus, when
dressed, makes excellent razor-strops, probably from containing
minute crystals hard enough to act upon the steel. When
wood is impregnated with the spawn of Peziza aeruginosa, it
assumes a beautiful green tint. This is applied to various
ornamental uses by the turners at Tunbridge Wells. Few
people who admire it when manufactured, are probably aware
to what it owes its attraction.
From the bright green produced in fairy-rings by the decayed
Fungi of the last year’s growth, it has been suggested
that Fungi might form a valuable manure where they occur
in great abundance. I f collected for this purpose, they should
be piled up with alternate layers of sand or light soil, to
absorb their abundant moisture, exactly as is done in some
districts with seaweed. I t is, however, to be feared, that the
result would not pay the expense, as the solid parts bear so
small a proportion to the fluid. Water-weeds have been collected
as manure within my own experience, hut the waste
was so great that they did not pay the expense of carting,
though, from the quantity of animal matter which accompanies
them, they promised well ; and for the same reason it
is to he feared, notwithstanding their richness in fertilizing
matter, that Fungi may prove equally unprofitable.
* For a singular account o f its application to the purposes of intoxication,
and the effects it produces, see Lindley’s ‘ Yegetable Kingdom,’ p. 38. A still
worse abuse is made by the people in West Africa o f the magnificent Polyporus
sacer, who worship it, like some other natiu’al objects, as a god.