eepoet of the state botanist 217 



I suspect that fatal cases of mushroom poisoning are especially 

 attributable to the Vernal amanita and the white forms of the 

 Poison amanita. But such accidents could only occur through 

 ignorance or gross carelessness, for the distinction between these 

 and the common mushroom is plain and unmistakable. It may 

 be exhibited as follows: 



Poison amanita. Gills persistently white; stem equal to or 

 longer than the diameter of the cap, with a hroad distinct bulb at 

 the base. 



Common mushroom. Gills pink, becoming blacHsh-broion ; stem 

 shorter than the diameter of the cap, with no bulb at the base. 



From all forms of the edible Sheathed amanitopsis, the Poison 

 amanita differs in its distinctly bulbous stem, in having a collar 

 on the stem and in the absence of striations on the margin of the 

 cap. 



From the edible Reddish amanita, it is easily separated by the 

 entire absence of any reddish hues or stains and of warts from its 

 cap. 



From the Smooth lepiota its distinct, abrupt and margined 

 bulb at once distinguishes it. 



Boletus felleus Bull. 

 BiTTEE Boletus. 



Plate 43. 



Pileus fleshy, convex above, glabrous or nearly so, grayish- 

 brown, buff brown, reddish-brown or tawny, flesh white, taste 

 bitter ; tubes long, convex in the mass in mature plants, at first 

 whitish, becoming pale flesh color; stem equal or ta))ering 

 upwards, usually reticulated at the toj) only, rarely wholly 

 reticulated, commonly a little paler than the pileus; spores 

 oblong-fusiform, pinkish, .0005 to .0007 inch long. 



The Bitter boletus takes its name from the bitter flavor which 

 its flesh persistently maintains. It is a common species, and one 

 easily recognized by its reticulated stem and flesh-colored tubes 

 taken in connection with its bitter taste. 



The cap is rather thick, dry and smooth, but quite variable in 

 color. This is generally some shade of brown tinged with red or 

 yellow. The flesh is white, but when cut or broken and exposed 

 to the air it sometimes assumes a pinkish tint. 

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