Gloomy Tube-Mushroom.Fig. 10.
(Boletus luridus.)607.
This is one of the handsomest ornaments of our woods and woody places. The prevailing tint is umber, relieved on the under surface by bright red, sometimes approaching crimson, or even vermilion; when broken or bruised it rapidly changes colour to blue. It is very common in all places where there are trees, and often comes up early in the year. It is probably more or less poisonous, though I have known it to be eaten withoutfataleffects.
Mr. Penrose once found a specimen as large as a milking-stool, exactly three feet in circumference.