IV. MUSHKOOMS 



Material. Umbrella mushrooms or toadstools brought by the pupils 

 themselves, if possible. Look for them in pastures and lawns after a 

 rain, on decaying stumps and trees, in woods, and along the edges of 

 swamps. Get a variety, so as to compare the different kinds. 



Some mushrooms are deadly poison if eaten. So 

 no pupil should taste any mushroom in the field 

 or schoolroom; but all mushrooms may safely be 

 handled. 



Observation. How many inches tall is the mush- 

 room that you are studying ? What is its shape ? 

 What is its odor ? What is its color ? How does it 

 feel to the touch? How was it fastened to the 

 ground ? 



How many inches across is the top part of the 

 mushroom ? Notice its skin ; can you easily peel it 

 off ? How thick is it ? 



Notice the folds or gills on the under side of the 

 top part. How many are they? What is their 

 shape? What is their color? 



Break the stem in two. Is it soft, or firm and 

 stringy ? Is it hollow ? Do you find any worms 

 inside ? 



Drawing. - - Draw a picture of the mushroom, 

 showing it tilted a little away from you, so that some 



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