MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 125 
and similar cultivated areas. The gills are white at first 
and acquire in old specimens a slight pinkish tinge, but 
the spores are always white. The stem is white, tapering 
upward, and at about its middle or upper third passes 
through a membranous ring which is always present, no 
matter how young or old the specimen may be. Except 
for this ring, both the stem and the top of the cap have 
an absolutely even surface unbroken by scales, irregular- 
ities, or other outgrowths of any kind. There is likewise 
no trace of a bag-like membranous sack, termed the volva, 
which persists more or less completely at the surface of 
the ground and is so characteristic of the poisonous ama- 
nitas. Experienced persons, in gathering L. naucinoides, 
will always look for evidences of this sack on every speci- 
men and will reject all those which have a volva or a scaly 
stem or cap. Specimens thought to be Lepiota naucinoides 
should be compared carefully with each detail of the pre- 
ceding description, and if they conform in every particular, 
should be fixed in the memory so as to be recognized again, 
for Lepiota naucinoides is not only a choice edible mush- 
room of firmer consistency than a Coprinus but it is also 
a species of strategic importance, as its discovery and con- 
quest leads easily to a similar end for two other important 
species, Agaricus campestris and Amanita phalloides. 
Agaricus campestris, already referred to under_black- 
spored forms, cannot usually be distinguished from Lepiota 
naucinoides when observed from above, but if removed in- 
tact from the ground it will be found that Agaricus cam- 
pestris has a short stem nearly equaling its whole length. in 
diameter and that the gills, although white at first and then 
pinkish, finally become brownish black. The character of 
the ring is also different. 
Amanita phalloides, the deadly Amanita, is the great 
menace to one who would like to eat wild mushrooms. 
To be sure it is not plentiful, but one experience with it 
is likely to prove the last. Fortunately this Amanita is 
easily recognized. Viewed from above it may closely re- 
semble Lepiota naucinoides and Agaricus campestris, but 
if it is removed intact from the ground there will be found 
~a membranous sack or volva attached to the stem at its 
very base, which in the early unexpanded “button” stage 
completely encloses the cap and stem. The presence of 
this led “poison-cup” is one of the most constant dis- 
tinguishing characters of Amanita phalloides, consequently 
the importance of getting the entire stem of a white-spored 
mushroom — being sure that the base is not left in the 
ground—cannot be too strongly emphasized. The gills and 
