Leucosporee 



(Plate VII.) 



LAMELLAE OR GILLS 



OR RING r 



STIPE 



OB 

 6TEM 



VOtV OR PAR 



MYCELIUM 



WHITE. TREE FROM SUM 



0* PARTIAL VEIL 



ING PENDULOUS. 



STEM 



' HOLLOW 



(Of UNIVERSAL VEIL. > 



BULB 



SECTION QF AMANITA PHALLOIDES. 



through, generally carrying the upper part on the pileus, where it ap- Amanita. 

 pears as patches or scales, the remainder enclosing the stem at the 

 base as a volva, either in a cup-like 

 form, closely adherent or friable 

 and evanescent. The partial veil in 

 youth extends from the stem to the 

 margin of the pileus, enclosing the 

 gills ; when ruptured it depends from 

 the stem as a ring. Stem furnished 

 with a ring, and different in sub- 

 stance from that of the pileus. 

 Spores white. 



On the ground. 



The nearest allied genus, Aman- 

 itopsis, is separated by the absence 

 of a ring, and Lepiota by its lack 

 of a volva; Volvaria, Acetabula- 

 ria and Chitonia, possessing volvas, 

 are distinguished by the color of 

 their spores. 



Amanitae are the most beautiful and conspicuous of fungi. While 

 there are comparatively few species of them, the individual members 

 are plentiful in appearing from spring until the coming of frost. They 

 are solitary or gregarious in growth. Occasionally two or three are 

 found together. They frequent woods, groves, copse, margins of woods 

 and land recently cleared of trees. They are seldom found in open 

 fields. A careful study of all their botanic points should be the first 

 duty of the student of fungi. Familiarity with every characteristic of 

 the Amanitae will insure against fatal toadstool poisoning, for it is the 

 well-grounded belief of those who have made thorough investigation 

 that, with the exception of Helvella esculenta, now Gyromitra escu- 

 lenta, the Amanitae, alone, contain deadly poisons. 



No Amanita, or piece of one, should be eaten before its identity is fully 

 established and its qualities ascertained by referring to the descriptions 

 Jierein given or to the opinion of an expert. 



They are the aristocrats of fungi. Their noble bearing, their beauty, 

 their power for good or evil, and above all their perfect structure, have 

 placed them first in their realm ; and they proudly bear the three badges 



3 



