POISONOUS MUSHROOMS. 83 



FLY MUSHROOM. 



Agaricus (Amanita) muscarius. 



(Plate X. Fig. 1.) 



The figure alone should be sufficient for 

 any one to recognize this species at once. 

 In Northern Asia it is used as an intoxicant, 

 and in European countries to poison flies. 

 The pileus is four inches, sometimes six, in 

 diameter, of a brilliant scarlet, with scat- 

 tered whitish warts, the margin orange or 

 yellow ; the stem sometimes eight or nine 

 inches long, with a large pendulous collar 

 or ring. The white gills are perfectly free 

 from the stem, leaving a channel between 

 them. Only the edge of the volva remains 

 at the swollen base of the stem. It is 

 found in autumn in woods, having a 

 predilection in favour of birch. The effects 

 which follow on partaking of this fungus 

 have been recorded somewhat in detail, and 

 resemble intoxication, but with dangerous 

 symptoms which result in death. Some 



