. Mushrooms and their use . Mushrooms. iiriportance is sometimes given, is composed of larger plants, •«v]iicli range in diameter from 2 to 12 inches or more, according to the species. These plants when mature rupture irregularly, the commonly thicker rind breaking up in angular and unequal fragments and falling away, thus permitting the spores to be dis- sipated and scattered by the winds. Though no deleterious species of pufE-ball is known, the flavor of the smaller kinds, so far as I have tried them, is much inferior to that of the larger. Only the latter, therefore, are recom- mended for f
. Mushrooms and their use . Mushrooms. iiriportance is sometimes given, is composed of larger plants, •«v]iicli range in diameter from 2 to 12 inches or more, according to the species. These plants when mature rupture irregularly, the commonly thicker rind breaking up in angular and unequal fragments and falling away, thus permitting the spores to be dis- sipated and scattered by the winds. Though no deleterious species of pufE-ball is known, the flavor of the smaller kinds, so far as I have tried them, is much inferior to that of the larger. Only the latter, therefore, are recom- mended for food. It is possible, however, that some of the smaller sorts not yet tried, may be well flavored, and may yet be introduced by experimenting mycophagists into the list of edible species. The Giant pufE-ball, Lycoperdon giganteum, is the largest spe- cies known. Specimens of medium size are 8 to 12 inches in diameter. Smaller and much larger individuals sometimes oc- cur. The largest specimen in the State Museum is about 15 inches in diameter in the dry state. When fresh, it was much larger—^probably 20 inches or more in diameter; they shrink greatly in drying. In the larger specimens the ver- tical diameter is generally less than the horizontal, so that the shape is that of a de- pressed globe, or a round loaf of bread. The smaller ones Giant PuH-Ball, Lycoperdon glpmteum, about ^^^ USUally leSS depressed, one-sixteenth usual size. and are therefore more nearly globular. The color is white, cr whitish, until by age it becomes dingy or somewhat yellowish or brownish. Its surface is nearly or quite smooth, and ia grow- ing it rests upon the ground, as it has no stem or stemlike base to support it. When approaching maturity, greenish-yellow stains appear in the previously snow-white flesh. At length the whole interior becomes a soft cottony, but dusty mass of a dingy yel- lowish brown hue. This puiT-ball grows in fields, pastures and waste places, and ,by roadsides. It is by
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectmushrooms, bookyear18
