[150] ὕδνον, a truffle, etc.
[151] Clava, a club.
[152] Name Latinized from the German Bofist.
[153] They are reproduced in these rings about the same time every year, the circle continuing to enlarge till it breaks up at last into irregular lines, which is a sure sign to the collector that the Prunulus is about to disappear from that place, just as the presence of an unbroken ring is conclusive of a plentiful harvest the next spring.
[154] These lobes, formed by the constriction of the pileus, whilst emerging from the roots of the grass, are sometimes so much strangulated as to present the appearance of small stalkless Agarics growing from the large, and projecting from their sides like ears.
[155] That is, connected by a tooth to the end of the stalk, and not running down it.
[156] The Prunulus is much prized in the Roman market, where it easily fetches 30 baiocchi, i. e. 15d. per lb.; a large sum for any luxury at Rome. It is sent in little baskets as presents to patrons, fees to medical men, and bribes to Roman lawyers. When dried, it constitutes the so-called “Funghi di Genoa,” which are sold on strings throughout Italy.
[157] If the Suillus be indeed the same as the modern Porcino, as its name would imply, few who know how good it is will be disposed to pity Martial, who laments his hard case, in having had to eat this fungus at his patron’s table, while he feasted on the Boletus, i. e. the Ag. Cæsareus. It would seem however from this epigram, that the Suillus was not in Martial’s time, what it now unquestionably is, a favourite with the rich.
[158] “Il Sorvegliatore fa gettare ai venditori tutti i funghi fracidi e quelli che crede nocivi, ed è assolutamente proibita la vendita dei così detti prateroli buoni o cattivi che sieno.”—Sanguinetti (extract from an unpublished letter).
[159] “This is that variety of Ag. campestris which has been so often confounded with the Amanita verna, and with these the Ag. albus virosus; all these funguses, besides presenting a strong similarity in appearance, are found in the same locality, and at about the same time of year.”—Vitt.