OF BRITISH FUNGI. 61 



The large size and yellowish gills are sufficient to 

 distinguish this species from all its congeners. Its flesh 

 is soft and savoury, and may be eaten without fear of 

 unpleasant consequences. 



We have already hinted at the poisonous character 

 of some members of this genus. As an example we 

 might refer to one which fortunately is not very com- 

 mon with us (R. emetica), and which, could we forget- 

 its character, would commend itself by the beauty of its 

 colours and the variety of their shades. Although red 

 is by far the most common tint, this sometimes fades 

 into pink, or deepens into purple. The surface of the 

 pileus is smooth and shining, and the flesh beneath as 

 well as the broad gills and solid stem white. Many 

 are the stories of disasters recorded from the inadvertent 

 indulgence in the Emetic Agaric, as it is sometimes 

 termed, only a small fragment of which is said to occa- 

 sion unpleasant sensations, and establish its claims to 

 its specific name. It is questionable whether any 

 amount of culinary preparation will remove all its poi- 

 sonous properties, notwithstanding that the acrid juices 

 of many plants are of so volatile a nature that they 

 may often be dispelled by heat, as in the case of the 

 root of the Mandioca plant of Brazil, from whence tapioca 

 is prepared. Two figures of this species are given in our 

 plate (PL 22), which represent the shades of colour in 

 the pileus most usually encountered. 



There are also two or three other members of this 

 genus believed to be equally dangerous, and perhaps 

 more common ; so that, under all circumstances, it would 



