38 MUSHROOMS, EDIBLE AND OTHERWISE 



bulb, the stem just above the bulb being margined by a close-fitting roll of the 

 volva, and the upper edge of this presenting the appearance of having been sewed 

 at the top like the rolled edge of a garment or buskin. The surface of the stem 

 is minutely floccose, scaly or strongly so, and decidedly hollow even from a very 

 young stage or sometimes when young with loose threads in the cavity. 



A. cothurnata resembles in many points A. frostiana and it will afford the 

 collector a very interesting study to note the points of difference. I found the two 

 species growing on Cemetery Hill. Figure 26 is from plants collected in Michigan 

 and photographed by Dr. Fisher. Found in September and October. 



Amanita rubcsccns. Fr. 

 The Reddish Amanita. Edible. 



Rubescens is from rubcsco, to become red. It is so called because of the 

 dingy reddish color of the entire plant, and also because when the plant is handled 

 or bruised it quickly changes to a reddish color. It is often a large bulky plant 

 and rather uninviting. 



The pileus is four to six inches broad, dingy reddish, often becoming 

 pale flesh color, fleshy, oval to convex, then expanded ; sprinkled with small pale 

 warts, unequal, mealy, scattered, white, easily separating; margin even, faintly 

 striate, especially in wet weather; flesh soft, white, becoming red when broken. 



The gills are white or whitish, free from the stem but reaching it and form- 

 ing at times decurrent lines upon it, thin, crowded. 



The stem is four or five inches long, nearly cylindrical, solid, though inclined 

 to be soft within, tapering from the base up. with a bulbous base which often 

 tapers abruptly below, containing reddish scales, color dull red. It has seldom any 

 distinct evidence of a volva at the base but abundant evidence on the cap. Ring 

 large, superior, white, and fragile. 



The plant is quite variable in color, sometimes becoming almost white with 

 a slight reddish or brownish tint. The strong distinguishing character of the 

 species is the almost entire absence of any remains of the volva at the base of the 

 stem. By this, and by the dull red hues and the bruised portions quickly changing 

 to a reddish color, it is easily distinguished from any of the poisonous Amanitas. 



According to Cordier it is largely used as an article of food in France. 

 Stevenson and Cooke speak well of it. I noticed the small Bohemian boys 

 gathered it about Salem, Ohio, not having been in this country more than a week 

 and not being able to speak a word of English. It convinced me that it was an 

 article of diet in Bohemia and that our species is similar to theirs. I have found 

 the plants in woods about Bowling Green and Sidney. Ohio. The plants in Figure 

 27 were collected on Johnson's Island, Sandusky, Ohio, and photographed by Dr. 

 Kellerman. It is found from June to September. 



