Leucosporae 



brown. The color of the commonest form is from white to a light hue Amanita. 

 of greenish yellow. The center of the cap, whatever may be the pre- 

 vailing color, is usually several shades darker. In shape, the cap 

 changes from a knob in youth, through the shapes/ of expansion, until 

 it becomes fully spread, when it is umbrella-shaped, or almost flat. 

 Some forms have a slightly raised portion or umbo in the center of the 

 cap. The gills are white, of good width, rounded next to the stem and 

 free from it. 



The stem conforms in color to the cap, but in lighter shades. White- 

 capped varieties have white stems. The stem has a sudden broad, dis- 

 tinct bulb at the base. On the upper side of the bulb there is usually a 

 margin or rim. The stem tapers more or less toward the cap, from 

 which it is easily separable. The cup, wrapper or volva is torn or split 

 or irregular at the upper part, and is not pressed to the stem as in some 

 forms. 



Professor Peck, in his 48th Report, gives the following excellent synop- 

 sis of differences between the poisonous Amanita and edible fungi, for 

 which it could only by great stupidity be mistaken : 



Poison amanita. Gills persistently white. Stem equal to or longer 

 than the diameter of the cap, with a broad, distinct bulb at the base. 



Common mushroom. Gills pink, becoming blackish-brown. Stem 

 shorter than the diameter of the cap, with no bulb at the base. 



From all forms of the edible Sheathed amanitopsis the Poison ama- 

 nita differs in its distinctly bulbous stem, in having a collar on the stem 

 and in the absence of striations on the margin of the cap. 



From the edible Reddish amanita, it is easily separated by the entire 

 absence of any reddish hues or stains and of warts upon its cap. 



From the Smooth lepiota its distinct, abrupt and marginal bulb at 

 once distinguishes it. 



A. ver'na Bull. vermts, of spring. A variety of A. phalloides. 

 POISONOUS. White. PileilS ovate then expanded, somewhat de- 

 pressed, viscid, margin orbicular, even. Stem stuffed then hollow, 

 equal, floccose, closely sheathed with the free border of the volva. King 

 reflexed, swollen. Gills free. Pileus glabrous, even on the margin, 

 white, viscid when moist. Gills white. Stem ringed, white, floccose, 

 stuffed or hollow, closely sheathed at the base by the remains of the 

 membranous volva, bulbous. Spores globose, 8/x broad. 



9 



