Introduction 



a time. Sweet and sour apples alike grow on large and small trees, may 

 be red or green, large or small, oblong or globular, and no visible ap- 

 pearance gives the least clue to the quality. 



In a few genera certain rules may be applied, as in Clavaria all not 

 bitter or tough are edible. But such generalizations are each limited to 

 its own genus. 



The toadstools containing deadly poisons are thought to be confined 

 to one genus of the gilled kind Amanita, and to Helvella esculenta, 

 now Gyromitra esculenta, to which are charged fatal results. The 

 poisonous qualities of Gyromitra esculenta are not proven. Recent 

 testings of this species prove it to be harmless and of good quality. By 

 far the greater number of species contained in Amanita are notable for 

 their tender substance and delicious flavor. By their stately beauty and 

 unusual attractiveness both the poisonous and harmless kinds are seduc- 

 tive. Any toadstool with white or lemon-yellow gills, casting white 

 spores when laid gills downward upon a sheet of paper, having rem- 

 nants of a fugitive skin in the shape of scabs or warts upon the iipper 

 surface of its cap, with a veil or ring, or remnants or stains of one, hav- 

 ing at the base of its stem in the ground a loose, skin-like sheath sur- 

 rounding it, or remnants of one, should never be eaten until the collector 

 is thoroughly conversant with the technicalities of every such species, or 

 has been taught by one whose authority is well known, that it is a harm- 

 less species. This rule purposely includes the renowned Amanita Cae- 

 saria, everywhere written as luscious. I regard it as the most dangerous 

 of toadstools, because of its close resemblance to its sister plant the 

 Amanita muscaria which is deadly. In the description of these spe- 

 cies, other forcible reasons are given. 



Another deadly species the Amanita phalloides is frequently mis- 

 taken by the inexperienced for the common mushroom. Safety lies in 

 the strict observance of two rules : Never eat a toadstool found in the 

 woods or shady places, believing it to be the common mushroom. 

 Never eat a white- or yellow-gilled toadstool in the same belief. The 

 common mushroom does not grow in the woods, and its gills are at first 

 pink, then purplish-brown or black. 



If through carelessness, or by accident, a poisonous Amanita has 



been eaten, and sickness results, take an emetic at once, and send for a 



physician with instructions to bring hypodermic syringe and atropine 



sulphate. The dose is y^j- of a grain, and doses should be continued 



ii xvii 



