Page:Handbook for Boys.djvu/147

126 to three inches in diameter, grayish or grayish brown, sometimes tinged lead color. Wash and stew: Stew or bake from twenty to thirty minutes a/ter thorough washing, being the recognized mode.

All the Clavarias or Coral Mushrooms are good except Clavaria dichotoma which is white, and has its branches divided in pairs at each fork. It grows on the ground under beeches and is slightly poisonous; it is rare.

The Delicious Morel (Morchella deliciosa) One and a half to three inches high; greenish with brown hollows. There are several kindred species ,of various colors. This is known by the cylindrical shape of its cap. Wash, slice, and stew.

Puffballs (Lycoperdacæ) The next important and safe group are the puffballs before they begin to puff. All our puffballs when young and solid white inside are good, wholesome food. Some of them, like

the brain puffball or the giant puffball, are occasionally a foot in diameter, and yield flesh enough to feed a dozen persons.

They are well known to all who live in the country, their smooth rounded exterior, without special features except the