7-2 STUDIES OF AMERICAN FUNGI. 



above, and with a prominent bulb which often tapers abruptly below. 

 In addition to the suffused dull reddish color the stem is often stained 

 with red, especially where handled or touched by some object. There 

 are very few evidences of the volva on the stem since the volva is so 

 floccose and torn into loose fragments, most of which remain on the 

 surface of the cap. Sometimes a few of these loose fragments are seen 

 on the upper portion of the bulb, but they are easily removed by 

 handling or by rains. The annulus is membranous, broad, and fragile-. 



Since the plant has become well known it is regarded as excel- 

 lent and wholesome for food and pleasant to the taste. In case of 

 the larger specimens there should be no difficulty in distinguishing it 

 from others by those who care to compare the descriptions closely 

 with the fresh specimens. But as in all cases beginners should use 

 extreme caution in eating plants they have not become thoroughly 

 familiar with. Small specimens of this species sometimes show but 

 little of the reddish color, and are therefore difficult to determine. 



Figures 73 and 74 are from plants (No. 3727 C. U. herbarium) 

 collected at Blowing Rock, N. C., during September, 1899. 



Amanita solitaria Bull. Edible, but use caution. - - The solitary 

 amanita, like many other plants, is not always true to its name. 

 While it often occurs solitary, it does occur sometimes in groups. It 

 is one of the largest of the amanitas. Its large size, together with its 

 chalky white or grayish white color, and ragged or shaggy appear- 

 ance, makes it a striking object in the woods, or along roadsides in 

 woods where it grows. Frequently parts of the cap, the entire stem 

 and the gills are covered with a white, crumbly, floccose substance 

 of a mealy consistency which often sticks to the hands or other ob- 

 jects. The plant ranges from 15-20 cm. or more high, the cap from 

 8-15 cm. broad, and the stems are 1-2 cm. or more in thickness. 



In form the pileus ranges from nearly globose in the button stage, 

 to hemispherical, convex and expanded, when quite old the margin 

 becoming more or less elevated. It is covered either with flaky or 

 floccose portions of the volva, or with more or less distinct conic 

 white scales, especially toward the center. The conic scales are 

 easily rubbed off in handling or are easily washed off by rains. 

 Many of them are loosened and fall because of the tension produced 

 by the expanding pileus on the surface of which they rest. These 

 scales vary in size from quite small ones, appearing like granules, to 

 those fewer in number and larger, 3 mm. high and nearly as broad 

 at the base. In other cases the scales are harder and stouter and 

 dark colored. These forms will be discussed after the description of 

 the other parts of the plant. 



