36 Natural History Bulletin. 



A very remarkable and pretty fungus not rare in our wood- 

 ed districts, in midsummer, though usually small. The species 

 is found in all parts of the northern hemisphere and is every- 

 where reckoned poisonous. Specimens brought into the 

 house fresh from the woods are death to flies which happen 

 to visit them, a fact which the scientific name brings to mind. 

 The savage tribes of Eastern Asia are said to use the "Fly 

 Mushroom" to produce intoxication. European specimens 

 are very much larger and taller. 



2. x\garicus verxus. — Fr. 



Pileus ovate, then expanded, smooth snow-white; lamellae 

 free, concolorous: stipe pithy, annulate, bulbous, sheathed. 



Height 6' . Pileus 2'-'^ . July-August. 



An elegant white species, rather rare with us but found 

 often in clearings in woods. Its spotless purity of color 

 makes it very attractive looking, but it is nevertheless inedible. 



3. Agaricus phalloides. — Fr. 



Pileus at first campanulate, then expanded, smooth and sub- 

 shining, grey or slaty in color; lamellae and flesh white; stipe 

 annulate and bulbous, white; volva loose and sheathing the 

 bulb only. 



Height about 4'. Pileus 2 '-3'. August-September. 



This species occurs in the deep woods. I often find it 

 where some log has gone entirely to decay. A colony is usu- 

 ally to be found in one place and specimens of all ages are 

 easily secured. 



4. Agaricus vaginatus. — Bull. 



Pileus thin, margin conspicuously striate, smooth, expanded, 

 almost flat, brown: lamellae white free: stipe white, not annu- 

 late, slightly bulbous sheathed with the remains of the volva. 



Height 4'-5'. Pileus 2'-4'. August. 



Not common. Inedible as are nearly all the members of 

 the subgenus. 



