POISONOUS FLESHY FUNGI 343 



induce orgies of intoxication somewhat similar to those from 

 hashish. 



3. Fungi whose irritant principles act on the mucous mem- 

 branes of the gastrointestinal tract soon after the fungi are eaten. 

 The clinical symptoms, consisting of griping pains in the stomach, 

 dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, subside rather abruptly, 

 and recovery proceeds rapidly. This type of poisoning is induced 

 by Riissula emetica, Lactariits torminosus, Lepiota morgani, Ento- 

 lovia lividum, Boletus sat anus, B. mineato-olivaceus, and some of 

 the species of Amanita. 



4. Fungi that contain hemolytic principles. The symptoms are 

 abdominal distress, dizziness, and vomiting. The vomitus contains 

 blood. The victim may have convulsions and may pass into pro- 

 found sleep. During convalescence mild jaundice develops. The 

 ingestion of Helvetia esculenta commonly causes this type of 

 poisoning, which may also be induced by other species of Helvella 

 and by Amanita rubescens. 



5. Fungi that stimulate the central nervous system in a manner 

 somewhat like alcoholic intoxicants. The victim feels greatly ex- 

 hilarated and laughs immoderately. His gait is staggering, and he 

 has the feeling that he is walking on air. This type of intoxica- 

 tion lasts for 24 to 48 hours after the ingestion of Fanaeolus papi- 

 lionaceus or P. campanulatus. 



Identification of poisonous mushrooms. As has previously 

 been stated, a person can learn to recognize the poisonous fleshy 

 mushrooms if he applies himself to the task. In order to do so, 

 he must become familiar with the salient structural features that 

 are employed by the mycologist in identifying mushrooms. Rela- 

 tively few species will be found to be poisonous. Each of the 

 more common poisonous species will be briefly characterized in 

 the following account. 



Amanita phalloides. The fructifications of this species vary in 

 color, being white, green, olive, amber, and rarely yellowish. 

 They grow singly and are 5 to 7 in. tall. The pileus or cap is 

 white, viscid, and convex, with or without scales at the surface. 

 The stipe or stem is smooth and of the same color as the pileus. 

 The gills are white and free from the stipe. The annulus or veil 

 breaks at the margin of the cap and clings skirt-like near the top 

 of the stipe. The volva or cup is variable because of the manner 



