REPORT OF THE STATE BOTANIST. 113 
The taste of the milk and flesh in many species is very acrid, or hot 
and biting like that of Cayenne pepper; in others it is mild or but 
tardily and slightly acrid. This character is of great utility in distin- 
guishing the species, and it is necessary to observe it by actually tasting, 
but not swallowing the milk or flesh, if we would satisfactorily identify 
our specimens. 
Several of the species are edible, others are affirmed by authors to 
be poisonous. In some instances authors do not agree in respect to 
the quality of the species, for while one affirms, for example, that Z. in- 
sulsus and L. piperatus are edible, another declares them to be poison- 
ous. It is most prudent to avoid the use of such acrid species, tor al- 
though their acridity is dispelled or destroyed by cooking, they are said 
by Gillet to be indigestible, and only acceptable to the strongest 
stomachs. 
Most of the Lactarii grow on the ground, a few on decaying wood. 
They are found in deep woods and swamps and in grassy grounds and 
open places. They occur in Summer and Autumn, and are most abun- 
dant in warm, showery weather. The species have been arranged by 
Fries in groups, depending partly on the color and quality of the milk 
and partly on the naked or pruinose character of the lamelle. This 
latter character does not appear to me to be sufficiently constant and 
obvious to be satisfactory. I have, therefore, made the color of the 
milk the only basis of the primary grouping of our species. 
Synopsis of the Species. 
Milk at first bright-colored, unchangeable.............. af e aN 
Milk at first white, changing color on exposure to the air...... 2 
Millcamaice or whitish, unchangeable. .%. 2.50... sees eceeenss 
nev oune Jamelle and milk, indigo-blue... fcc. .0ec ees eer ere de Indigo.) 
Eeeoumeolamelice-and milk dark-red...-...3. sense ves subpurpureus. ///” 
Pewownelamelice and milk orange-red... 6,006.0 06 ws oe 00% deliciosus. 
1 Young lamelle and milk saffron-yellow ............. Chelidonium. 
PEP CCOMINE /PINKISN=TEd. .70(. 02.6.) ae vonyg ind -« wyplee srs ors eys 2 
Penile ACCOM ING “VM OW: :5 5 5:6 aye 55. 4/5, op5)0 9) 5 visuern win Fie ee 8) ada 4 
Pe MECOMUING ac-COLOM oa. shho%)-0 !o ajo rs) w/a wh ore bre dave lel uvidus. //? 
periveus dinpy-cray or bulf-pray (partly). ./.. 0... cage es fuliginosus./2 ¢ 
peeuseanay-brawa, (partly) 22/0. dae. <0 26 we cietepee vane oie lignyotus. /2.9 
ae Marcin of the-mature pileus glabrouss oi... 00.26 00's. & 
4 Margin of the mature pileus tomentose-hairy............ 6 
Febilecus distinctly spotted, taste acrid... .. ose. ees. chrysorheus, !/ 7 
5 Pileus not distinctly spotted, taste tardily acrid......... theiogalus. 
PEP CMEB POLL: 5 ok <5. 3s. os cg bienle sis 2a) egtatelepens scrobiculatus. J) \ 
Bee TORIOL GOOLE «0/0 5.6.0.0. a:4 seheelene diverse ne sbaesh wos cilicioides. 
MM EES euISCielowien MOISE 50» o> s cgie's £6 cia 0 dolore) soca Ware 8 
7 iedlens mot viscid ...:)... EE ESA mA a meena 13 
8 Margin of the pileus distinctly tomentose-hairy...... torminosus./2 4 
8 Margin of the pileus glabrous or nearly so.............. 
g Pileus greenish-brown or yellowish-brown, tinged with green..sordidus. '< / 
Ombileus some other color, glabrous and, viscid (2.0). so» scones fe) 
fompemeusysome Shade! of red or yellows «0. ..o60.0's oie aes see ep AS 
PomEmeMSESOMesOtNeL COlOF sc 6 6.4.5 a a!s.5 ia sie 8 ders ee pte @ ae eR 12 
15 
