396 



The Book of Woodcraft 



its effects, until too late for treatment, the victim is beyond 

 human help, and slowly succumbs. For centuries its 

 nature has been a mystery; it has defied all remedies, only 

 lately have we begun to win a Httle in the fight with this 

 insidious assassin. 



There are thousands of tons of delicious food spread in our 



Fly amanita. 



woods and pastures every year, and allowed to go to waste 

 because of the well-founded terror of the Deathcup. Every 

 one should make a point of learning its looks and smash- 

 ing all he can find, together with the half-formed young 

 ones about it. We may not succeed in exterminating 

 the pale fiend, but we can at least put that individual be- 

 yond doing mischief or giving forth seeds. 



Hated Amanita {A. spreta). (Poisonous.) Four to six 

 inches high, three to five inches across the cap, with a bump 

 in the middle, whitish or pale or rich brown, gills white, a 



