“I NEVER ATE ANY TOADSTOOLS”
_The Coroner_: Hedgehog—was that the only unconventional dish you saw
prepared?—No. On two or three occasions Mr. Harrison gathered fungi of
various kinds and had them for breakfast or supper.
Did these fungi include the ordinary mushroom of commerce?—On one
occasion, yes.
Did you eat any of that dish?—I ate a small quantity. I do not care
much for mushrooms.
And on the other occasions?—On, I think, two occasions, Mr. Harrison
brought in other fungi, which, he explained, were good to eat. A great
number of fungi are to be found in the valleys and damp, low-lying spots
in the neighbourhood. One variety was called, I believe, Chantarelles,
or some such name, and there was also a purple one, called “Amethyst”
something-or-other.
These were fungi of a kind not usually eaten by the ordinary person? The
sort commonly called toadstools.—Yes; common, wild fungi.
Was the flavour of them agreeable?—I do not know. They smelt very
savoury, but I did not eat any of them.
How was that?—I did not think it was safe. I was afraid of eating
something poisonous.
You knew that a great many edible varieties of fungi exist in addition
to the common mushroom? There is a Government publication dealing with
them, I believe?—I believe there is.
And Mr. Harrison was considered an authority on the subject?—I do not
know if he was generally so considered. He had devoted much attention to
the subject and had written a book on our natural food resources.
Had you read the book?—I had read parts of it.
But you did not feel sufficient confidence in the deceased’s judgment to
partake of the toadstools yourself?—I suppose I did not. These things
are largely a matter of prejudice. I did not care about the idea of
eating toadstools.