366 GARDENING FOE THE SOUTH. 



"Stem or Stipe. — The stem is white, nearly cylindrical, 

 or slightly tapering at the lower end. It varies from 3-8 

 cm. long and 1-2 cm. in diameter. The flesh is solid, 

 though less Arm at the center." {Atkinson.) 



Amanita Phalloides, Fn. (The Deadly Amanita). — This 

 mushroom may be mistaken for the Agaricus campestris by 

 the careless collector, but there are marked differences 

 between the two when examined. In the first place, the 

 habitat of the Amanita is in the woods, while the Agari- 

 cus is to be found in the open fields. The former also 

 has a cup-like envelope, in which the base of the stem 

 rests. This cup is called the " death cup " or " poison 

 cup " or volva. The volva is the distinguishing character- 

 istic of the poison forms, and whenever the mushrooms 

 contain it they should be avoided. The Amanita is some- 

 times found on the borders of the woods, closely situated 

 to the edible forms, and this fact should be always care- 

 fully remembered when out on a collecting tour. Be care- 

 ful to dig up the entire stem, so that the volva may be 

 certainly detected if present, because it is often true that 

 the stem extends some distance below the surface of the 

 ground and the poison cup may be overlooked if the 

 mushroom is pulled up by the pileus. 



The Fly Amanita (Amanita muscaria (L) Pers). — In 

 this mushroom the bulbous enlargement at the base of 

 the stem is clearly indicated, and this, with the following 

 characteristics, distinguish this poisonous species from 

 those which are edible, viz. : The thick scales on the stem, 

 the corky particles on the glossy surface of the cap, and 

 the broad, dropping ring at the top of the cap. The color 

 of the tipper surface of the cap varies from a brilliant red 

 to orange-yellow, buff, and even white. Sometimes the 

 corky layer does not break up into particles, but extends 

 over the entire surface of the cap, and might be mistaken 

 by the novice to be another species. This is one of the 



