OF BRITISH FUNGI. 23 



nata) which is very common in woods and under 

 trees. It is extremely variable in size and in colour. 

 The pileus is thin, at first bell-shaped, and ultimately 

 expands to nearly a plane surface. The stem is hollow 

 and the volva loose. The free gills are white in the 

 earlier stages of growth. This species is entirely desti- 

 tute of any ring. Dr. Greville found a white variety 

 of this species, which he calls A. nivalis, growing on 

 the bleak summits of the loftiest Grampians, where, he 

 says, "it enlivens the few turfy spots which occur in 

 those desert regions by its symmetry and extreme 

 whiteness. In its young state it is completely enve- 

 loped in the smooth volva or wrapper, and bears a near 

 resemblance to a pigeon's egg, scarcely rising above the 

 dark moss. After bursting from its confinement, ii; 

 rapidly advances to maturity, uninjured by the coldest 

 winds, or the snow with which it is sometimes covered, 

 even in the middle of August." This species has not 

 only enjoyed the reputation of being esculent, but also 

 of being poisonous. From the very questionable company 

 in which the three species of Amanita now named 

 are found, and from the conflicting testimony as to 

 their wholesome properties, we conclude that it would 

 be much safer to regard all the species which are 

 grouped under that name as suspicious, and not to 

 collect and employ any species of Amanita as an 

 article of food. 



