464 THE BRITISH NATURE BOOK 



The following notes refer to some common POISONOUS varieties : 



1. Bulbous Agaric (Amanita mappa). 



Cap At first convex, then flat; smooth, dry, whitish or yellowish, with 

 a few irregular patches, easily rubbed off ; 3-4 inches diameter. 



Gills Crowded; white. 



Stem White ; cylindrical, with a torn ring ; bulbous base, with remains 

 of a sheath or cup. 



Has unpleasant smell ; very poisonous. 



2. Warted Agaric (A. pantherina). 



Cap 3-4 inches diameter ; convex, edge grooved ; rusty brown or reddish 

 yellow. 



Flesh White, unchanging. 



Gills White, unchanging. 



Stem Whitish, with a ring ; base bulbous, with a sheath attached. 



Note. The SHEATHED AGARIC (No. 8 in preceding list) has no ring, and 

 stem is not bulbous. 



The WARTY CAP (No. 6 in preceding list) has flesh changing to reddish 

 brown when cut. 



3. The Death Cap (4. phalloides). The most deadly of all. 



Cap Slimy when moist ; pale yellow or green ; 3-4 inches diameter. 

 Gills White, unchanging. 



Stem White and smooth ; base bulbous, with a large sheath or cup. 

 The ring is large and pendent. 

 Usually in woods. 



Distinguishing marks The colour, pale yellow or greenish ; the ring and 

 sheath ; the unchanging white gills. 



4. Fly Agaric (.4. muscaria). 



Cap Globose when young, becoming flat ; 4-7 inches diameter ; bright 

 scarlet, with white patches. 



Stem White, swollen below, with a ring or frill. 

 In woods, especially under birches and firs. 



5. Shield Agaric (Lepiota clypeolaria). 



Cap 2-3^ inches diameter ; at first cylindrical, smooth, brown ; expands 

 flat, when the whole surface, except central boss, breaks into scales. 



Gills White. 



Stem Covered with small spreading scales below ring a distinguishing 

 feature. 



6. Glutinous Agaric (Volvaria gloiocephala). 



Cap 3-5 inches diameter ; becoming almost flat, with central boss ; dark 

 grey ; very glutinous. 



Gills Broad ; salmon colour. 



Stem Long, whitish, with a sheath or cup round base. 



Distinguished from SHEATHED AGARIC by its glutinous cap and salmon- 

 coloured gills. 



