161 

 DIVISION 8.— LACTARIUS {MiLky].-Fries. 



(2). Aromatic; gills becoming pallid; milk always coloured. 



LACTABIUS DEIiICIOSTTS.-Frie». 



THE ORANGE, OR RED MILK AGARIC. 



BOTANICAL CHARACTERS. 



Pileus smooth, fleshy, umbilicate, of a dull rufous orange, turning 

 pallid from exposure to light and air, but zoned with concentric circles of 

 a brighter hue ; margin smooth, at first involute, and then becoming ex- 

 panded ; from tluee to five inclies across ; flesh firm, full of orange red milk, 

 which turns green on exposui-e to the air, as does any part of the plant when 

 bruised. 



Gills decurrent. Nan-ow, each diviiling into two, three several times 

 from the stem to the edge of the pileus. Of a dull yellow by reflected light, 

 but being translucent, the red milk shines brightly through them. 



Stem from one to three inches high, slightly bent and tapering down- 

 wards ; solid, becoming more or less hollow with age ; short hairs at the 

 base ; sometimes slightly pitted (scrobiculate). 



The Illustration represents a fungus of an average size, gathered in 

 dull weather, and therefore of a high colour. 



There is no possibility of mistaking this fungus. It is the only one with 

 the orange red milk, and which turns green when bruised. These properties 

 distinguish it at once from Lactarius torminosus or necator, the only fungus 

 which in any way resembles it. 



This acrid Fiingus Lactarius torminosus is somewhat similar in shape 

 and size, and is also zoned. But the involute edges of the pileus are bearded 

 with close hairs. It is of a much paler colour, and with gills of a dirty 

 white. The milk, also, is white, acrid, and unchangeable in colour. 



The Orange 'Miik Agaric is not uncommon in Herefordshire. It chiefly 

 affects the Scotch fir tree, and is to be found generally beneath the drip of the 

 branches around the tree. It is also found in hedgerows occasionally, but is 

 most abundant in plantations of Scotch fir or larch. 



