60 



description. The pileus is firm and fleshy, ultimately 

 becoming depressed, often of some shade of grey. The 

 gills are white, much crowded together, and forked. 

 The stem is white, solid, and firm. 



Both these species are covered in their young state 

 with a thin pellicle, or superficial skin, which disappears 

 with age, and the latter especially is subject to great 

 variations in colour. 



Another mild species (R. lepida), not very common, 

 may be met with in the Kentish woods and elsewhere. 

 It has a compact, fleshy pileus, with a solid white 

 or pinkish stem, and rounded, thickish, white gills, 

 crowded together. It is commonly consumed on the 

 Continent, where it is much more plentiful than with 

 us. 



A species (R. virescens) with a rough, warty, greenish 

 pileus, is occasionally found in woods. It has also a 

 whitish stem and gills, but, although very wholesome, 

 it is not common enough to be of importance as a food 

 resource. In France this species is said to be preferred 

 by some to the ordinary mushroom, and is known in 

 the south under the name of " Verdette." It is com- 

 mon in Languedoc, where it is collected and grilled 

 with small herbs and oil. 



There is, however, a very common species (R. aluta- 

 ced) found in similar localities, which, like all the other 

 edible species of Russula, is mild to the taste when 

 raw. The pileus is generally depressed and changeable 

 in colour. The stem is stout, and either white or red. 

 The gills are always yellowish in all stages of growth. 



