POISONOUS MUSHROOMS. 113 



EMETIC RUSSULE. 



Russula emetica. 



(Plate XYI. Fig. I.) 



The very name of this Russule seems to 

 carry its own condemnation, which accords 

 with the consensus of mycological opinion 

 in Europe. It is an inhabitant of woods 

 in the autumn, with a pileus about two or 

 three inches in diameter, and but slightly 

 convex. Its usual colour is of a rosy-pink, 

 or bright red, and the thin cuticle easily 

 separates, showing the red flesh beneath ; 

 this is mostly relied upon to distinguish it 

 from other red species. The substance is 

 pure white and very fragile. The gills are 

 also cpite white, and do not reach the 

 stem, but leave a channel around it. The 

 stem is spongy, and either white or tinged 

 with red. There are no short gills between 

 the longer ones, and the spores are white. 

 This species is acrid to the palate, and is 

 said to possess emetic properties, due to a 



