POISONOUS MUSHROOMS. 117 



WOOLLY MILK-MUSHROOM. 



Lactarius torminosus. 



(Plate XVI. Fig. 3.) 



The chief danger associated with this 

 mushroom is that of mistaking it for the 

 Delicious Milk-Mushroom [Lactarius de- 

 liciosus), which it somewhat resembles. 

 It is common enough in some counties 

 in autumn, in woods and on heaths, 

 with a short stem, so that it grows close 

 to the ground. The pileus is from three 

 to four inches in diameter, convex, de- 

 pressed in the centre, but with the woolly 

 margin turned inwards. In colour it is 

 usually a light brick-red or dingy orange, 

 and -sometimes flesh-coloured, with darker 

 zones. The margin is hairy and paler, 

 almost white, and the gills whitish, with 

 white spores. When cut or wounded a 

 white milk exudes, which is acrid and biting 

 to the tongue. By this feature it may be 

 distinguished from the edible species above- 



