MUSHROOMS, MOLDS, AND MIRACLES

by Lucy Kavaler ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

Extensive research has brought into this survey fascinating facts and fancies about the fungi whose species, numbering at least 100,000, are deemed by many scientists a third kingdom of life beside the animal and plant kingdoms. Including mushrooms, molds, mildews, rusts (and truffles!), these ubiquitous chlorophyll-less plants maintain important relationships with man that range from enticing foods to deadly enemies of man's crops and trees, and man himself--yet they have also spawned the wonder drugs. All these significant relationships are explored here in some detail: the role of molds and yeasts in the manufacture of food, drink, and drugs; the constant hardiness of the fungi and their capacities to find nourishment almost anywhere on stone, glass, in plastics and jet fuels! Of particular interest is a chapter on LSD, hallucinatory mushrooms, etc. which provides a useful, fairly objective survey of both sides of conflicts that are still raging. This is a useful compilation of facts on a broad, seldom elucidated, subject.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: 059543679X

Page Count: -

Publisher: John Day

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1965

Categories: NONFICTION