Logo
Prev
Bookmark
Rotate
Print
Next
Contents
All Pages
Related Articles
Browse Issues
Help
Search
Home
'
National Geographic : 1920 May
Contents
THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE Photograph by A. G. and B. Leeper TIIE PEAR-SHAPED PUFF-BALL (Lycoperdon piriforme) This small, edible species may be found on stump or log from July to late in the autumn. little under (see also picture on opposite page). commendatory comments are: "Good, pre served in vinegar" (Richon and Roz) ; "Most excellent" (Berkeley); "Fried with butter and salt. it has a taste like lamb" (De Seynes). Dr. Peck, our own more recent authority, says, it is "one of our most valuable mush rooms, but scarcely equal to the best. Doubt less differences of opinion concerning it may be due in part to different methods in cooking,'" With regard to tastes, it is always well to remember that they are individual; "other wise moths would not eat cloth." When eaten in the raw state, the Orange Milk Lactar develops an acrid taste, and when old its bright-orange coloring changes to dull, grayish-greenish, unattractive hues. It is, therefore, inadvisable to eat uncooked or old specimens. Pickled in vinegar, however, it is very appetizing when served as a relish with cold meats. This desirable species is found in moist, mossy woods of pine, tamarack, hemlock, etc.; time, July to October: distribution, North America and Europe. PANIEOLUS Species Poisonous (See Color Plate VIII) Every collector of edi ble species should learn to distinguish the Pan reoli from Agaricus cam pester and the Coprini. Because of the dark, blackish coloring of their gills, they are very apt to get into a mess of either of these species, and when this happens the eater is almost sure to experience symptoms of poisoning. The differ entiation of the species is an extremely difficult matter, but, generically, they are easily recog nized by their slender stems, grayish or reddish brown (sometimes hy grophanous), commonly bell-shaped or obtusely expanded caps, and-most important-by the black, or very nearly black, spores that are borne on non-deliquescent gills, generally in spot-like areas, causing the gills to appear mottled with almost any rotting black. Natural size or a The symptoms from Pameolus poisoning ap pear very soon after the fungi have been eaten, sometimes within fifteen minutes. They seem to vary slightly, depending, presumably, upon the species and the amount consumed. The following have been recorded: failure of muscular coordination, giddiness, difficulty in standing, inability to walk, drowsi ness, lack of control of the emotions (inordi nate hilarity), incoherent or inappropriate speech. The sight is usually affected, causing the furniture to appear bent, pliable, and in motion; and there are visions of beautiful colors. Temporary paralysis of a limb may occur. The effects of the intoxication are said to pass off within a few hours; still, it would seem that emetics ought to be administered without delay to prevent the complete absorption of the poisons. 418
Links
Archive
1920 Jun
1920 Apr
Navigation
Previous Page
Next Page
