152 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



and pruinose surface of the cap are distinctive features. The cap is broadly 

 convex and often has a small central depression or umbilicus. In some 

 cases it becomes nearly plane or even slightly funnel-shaped by the spread- 

 ing or elevation of the margin. The surface, specially in young and in well 

 developed specimens, has a soft pruinose or almost velvety appearance to 

 the naked eye, and, when viewed through a magnifying glass, it is seen to 

 be covered with minute, persistent granules. The surface is sometimes 

 wrinkled and frequently it cracks in such a way as to form small angular or 

 irregular areas. The color is a peculiar one, varying somewhat in shade, 

 but with tawny hues prevailing. It has been described as yellowish tawny 

 and brownish orange. The flesh is white or whitish and has a mild taste. 



The gills are wide apart, somewhat arched in specimens having a convex 

 cap and slightly decurrent in those with fully expanded or centrally 

 depressed caps. Their color is white or creamy yellow and in old and 

 dried specimens they have a white pruinosity as if frosted by the spores. 

 The milk is white and mild. 



The stem is short, rarely more than an inch long, and is cylindric or 

 tapering downward. It is solid and colored and clothed like the cap. 



The cap is 1 to 4 inches broad ; the stem is usually about 1 inch long, 

 4 to 8 lines thick. It is found in thin woods, bushy places and pastures 

 from July to September. It is similar to the orange lactarius, L. vole- 

 mu s. in its edible qualities. It has several features in common with Lac- 

 tarius hygrophoroides B. and C. and L. calceolus Berk. My 

 reasons for considering it distinct are given in the report for 1898. 



Lactarius gerardii Pk. 

 Gerard's Lactarius 



PLATE 53, fig. 12-16 



Pileus broadly convex or nearly plane, sometimes slightly depressed 

 and rugosely wrinkled, sooty brown, flesh white, taste mild ; lamellae rather 

 broad, distant, adnate or slightly decurrent, white or whitish with venose 

 interspaces, milk white, mild ; stem short, equal or tapering downward, 

 stuffed or hollow, colored like the pileus; spores globose, .00035 to -00045 

 of an inch broad. 



