POISONOUS MUSHROOMS. 115 



FIERY MILK-MUSHROOM. 



Lactarius pyrogalus. 



(Plate XVI. Fig. 2.) 



This is one of the peppery species, which 

 exudes a hot and fiery milk on being 

 wounded. The pileus is about two inches 

 broad, depressed in the middle, smooth, and 

 of a livid grey colour, with darker zones ; 

 the gills are dark yellowish, or almost tan- 

 coloured, running down the hollow pallid 

 stem ; the milk is very copious, and white. 

 It is found chiefly in woods, and may be 

 recognized by its colour, and that of the 

 gills, whereas the spores are white. We 

 are not disposed to champion this species, 

 but rather to utter a strong caution against 

 it, the universal opinion being in its con- 

 demnation. 



Somewhat resembling the above in form, 

 but of a bright reddish-brown colour, is 

 Lactarius rufus, by no means common in 



