ARUM FAMILY. 115 



healthy blood may in some cases be effective against the 

 action of the phallin. 



The fungus grows usually in woods, or along their 

 borders. It is from three to six inches high, with a cap 

 The Plant tnree to five inches broad, any colour from 

 pure white to olive or brown. It is usually 

 smooth, but has sometimes a few patches of membrane 

 adhering to the top. The gills, spores, and stalk are 

 white. The latter has a conspicuous ring beneath the 

 cap, and its bulbous base is enclosed in a membranous 

 cup, the "Death Cup." The bulb is buried deeply, anct 

 is often left behind in gathering the fungus. The stalk 

 is hollow, or when young loosely filled with material sug- 

 gestive of cotton fibre. 



ARUM FAMILY Araceae. 



SKUNK CABBAGE Symploca-rpus foetidns (L.) Nutt. 



Other Common Names: Polecat- weed, Swamp Cab- 

 bage. 



The plant derives its common name from its strong 

 odour. It is acrid and poisonous, "causing vomiting and 

 temporary blindness" (Pammel). It is, however, avoid- 

 ed by animals. 



The tough, thick, pointed, leaf-like spathe, pale green 

 with purple blotches and streaks, is laid down in the fall, 

 and in the early spring expands, disclosing the small 

 purple flowers which are borne on a fleshy axis, called 

 the spadix. This spadix enlarges, and the scarlet fruits 

 are embedded in it. The enormous, short petioled leaves, . 

 with heart-shaped base, and short, ridged stem appear 

 in later spring. 



