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The; Bootkd Amanita (Poisonous) 



Amanita cothnrnata Atkinson 



The booted Amanita is a very pretty plant and occurs from August 

 to October. It seems to prefer hills and highlands, or mountainous 

 regions. The specimens from which the photograph was made were 

 found on the higher land northeast of Crystal Lake Park, Urbana. 



The pileus is fleshy but cjuite thin, at first nearly globose, then 

 hemispherical to convex, and finally expanded. When specimens are 

 very old the margin may be elevated. The pileus is usually white, 

 though specimens may be found which are yellowish or tawny olive 

 in the center. It is cjuite sticky when moist, and is covered with 

 numerous, white, fioccose scales which may wash off in heavy rains. 

 The margin is finely striate. The pileus is from 5 to 15 cm. (2 to 6 

 inches) broad. 



The gills are free, rounded next to the stem, and quite remote 

 from it. They are always white. The edge of the gills is sometimes 

 eroded or frazzly. The spores are white and very abundant. 



The stem is cylindrical, even, and bulbous at the base. The volva 

 is adnate to the bulb, but just above the bulb the stem is margined by 

 a roll of the volva, and this often looks as if it had been sewed at the 

 top like the rolled edge of a garment. The stem is usually hollow 

 even when c{uite young, and the surface is fioccose, scaly, or sometimes 

 nearly smooth. The ring is thin and membranous, and is usually a 

 little above the middle of the stem. The stem is 5 to 15 cm. (2 to 6 

 inches) long. 



The plant is very poisonous and sometimes occurs c[uite abundantly, 

 but with the aid of the photograph and description here given, there 

 should be no difficulty in distinguishing it from any edible species. 



Atropin is a natural physiological antidote for the poison (mus- 

 carin) which occurs in this and several closely related species. When 

 specimens of this mushroom have been eaten, the first signs of trouble 

 are likely to appear in from one to five hours. The patient will show 

 excessive perspiration and respiration accompanied by vomiting. Atro- 

 pin should be given at once, by a physician, and in large doses, while 

 at the same time every effort should be made to free the alimentary 

 canal of the poisonous material. While poisoning by this mushroom 

 is often fatal, yet it is not hopeless, and prompt action should in most 

 cases save the patient. 



Collected in Champaign county. 



