6 Bulletin 138. 



places. The third one is a dcadlv poisonous one, and is here illustrated 

 and described, not only because a majority of the fatalities from 

 " mushroom-eating " are probably chargeable to its seductive appear- 

 ance and virulent properties, but also because it is perhaps sometimes 

 mistaken by the novice for the common mushroom. 



The Common Mushroom. 



{^Agaric us campestris L.) 



Figure 87 is from a photograph of a specimen of the common 

 mushroom (or pratelle) which has been pulled and is lying on the 

 table. The parts are easily recognized and named. The stem (some- 

 times called the stipe) is cylindrical, or tapers a little toward the lower 



87. — Agartciis campestris. View of under side s hawing stem, 

 antiulus, gil^s and margin of pileus, 



end. Near its upper end is a sort of a collar, usually termed a 

 "ring" (or technically an atinulus)^ which encircles it. This ring is 

 very delicate in this plant, is white like the stem, of a very thin, satiny 

 texture, and more or less ragged on the edge. 



'I1ie more or less circular expanded disk into which the stem tits is 

 called the *' cap " (technically Wx^ pileus, which is (he Latm tor cap) 

 The upper portion, of which we can see only ihe margin m this 



