EDIBLE MUSHROOMS. 31 



DELICIOUS MILK-MUSHROOM. 



Lactarius deliciosus. 



(Plate I. Fig. 2.) 



The Milk-Mushrooms (Lactarius) differ 

 from all others in containing a white, or 

 coloured, milk, which oozes out freely when 

 cut or wounded. The present species only 

 grows under fir-trees, somewhat earlier than 

 the general crop of fungi, being in greatest 

 plenty about August or early in September. 

 It is firm and solid in texture, with a very 

 short stem, so that the cap is close to the 

 ground, about two or three inches in 

 diameter, pale brick-red, with a tinge of 

 orange, usually marked with darker zones ; 

 the centre of the cap is depressed, and the 

 margins curved inwards. The whole plant 

 abounds with an orange milk, which exudes 

 when cut or wounded, and on exposure soon 

 turns green, so that the fungus appears to 

 be stained green. There is no other fungus 

 possessing an orange milk which becomes 



