Darwin’s Daughter VS The Phallus
We are all well acquainted with Charles Darwin, the revolutionary biologist who brought about a paradigm shift in our understanding of life and its origins. However, I am certain that many of us are less familiar with one of his daughters, Henrietta Emma Darwin, affectionately nicknamed Etty. This fascinating woman fervently opposed mushrooms and above all Stinkhorns.
A passage from her niece Gwen Raverat’s book, "Period Piece: A Cambridge Childhood," not only sheds light on Etty's aversion but also underscores her unwavering commitment to eradicating the Phallus genus, all in the pursuit of upholding the morals of the maids:
“In our native woods there grows a kind of toadstool, called in the vernacular THE STINKHORN, though in Latin it bears a grosser name [the phallus impudicus, of course]. The name is justified, for the fungus can be hunted by the scent alone; and this was Aunt Etty's great invention: armed with a basket, and a pointed stick, and wearing a special hunting cloak and gloves, she would sniff her way round the wood, pausing here and there, her nostrils twitching, when she caught a whiff of her prey; then at last, with a deadly pounce, she would fall upon her victim, and poke his putrid carcass into her basket. At the end of the day's sport, the catch was brought back and burnt in the deepest secrecy on the drawing-room fire, with the door locked; because of the morals of the maids.” (Raverat, 1957, p. 135-136)
An actual image of Etty plotting against the stinkhorn
Now, I understand that many Western countries may not share my fondness for mushrooms; however, this takes it to a whole new level. While some might simply scoff at a mushroom or at most kick them over, consistently going out to search for and burn mushrooms seems a bit excessive. What's even more amusing is that her efforts were completely in vain, as just picking the mushroom does very little to actually prevent them from growing.
What are your thoughts? Was Etty justified in her conviction against fungi, or should she have found a more effective way to safeguard the morals of the maids?
Sources:
Raverat, G. (1987). A Cambridge childhood.
