Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms: What to Eat and What to Avoid

to apply general rules has failed, and no course remains but to become acquainted with every individual species we intend to eat—and, consequently, those which we should especially avoid. It may not be out of place to remark that there are some features manifested by poisonous or disagreeable fungi which should be kept in mind to simplify investigation. For instance, it may be concluded that fungi possessing a distinctly disagreeable odor may be discarded at once as unwholesome. Furthermore, any kinds whose flesh changes color distinctly when cut or bruised—especially to a dark blue—should be avoided. Even the Common Mushroom will sometimes turn brown when cut, and some other edible species may show a slight change, but it is the immediate and rapid shift to a deep blue that should be accepted as a primary signal of danger. It may be safely concluded that any species of