THE WHITE-SPORED AGARICS 



189 



will assist the student in distinguishing it. It is a beautiful plant and one of 

 the best of the Russulas to eat. The mushroom-eater counts himself lucky 

 indeed when he can find a basketful of this species after "the joiner squirrel" 

 has satisfied his love of this special good thing. It is quite common in woods 

 from August to October. 



Russula vcsca. Fr. 

 The Edible Russula. Edible. 



Vesca from vesco, to feed. The pileus is from two to three inches broad ; 

 red-flesh-color, disk darker; fleshy; firm; convex, with a slight depression in the 

 center, then funnel-shaped ; slightly wrinkled; margin even, or remotely striate. 



Gills adnate, rather crowded, unequal, forked, and white. 



The stem is firm, solid, sometimes peculiarly, reticulated, tapering at the base. 

 The spores are globose, spiny, and white. I frequently found it near Salem, O., 

 in thin chestnut woods and in pastures under such trees. A mushroom lover will 

 be amply paid for the long tramps if he finds a basket full of these dainties. It is 

 mild and sweet when raw. It is found in thin woods and in wood margins, some- 

 times under trees in pastures, from August to October. 



Figure 150. Russula virescens. Two-thirds natural size. Caps pale-green. Gills white. 



