KEPOKT OF THE STATE BOTANIST 315 



I suspect that fatal cases of mushroom poisoning are especially 

 attributable to the Vernal amanita and the white forms of the 

 Poison amanita. But such accidents could only occur through 

 ignorance or gross carelessness, for the distinction between these 

 and the common mushroom is plain and unmistakable. It may 

 be exhibited as follows : 



Poison amanita. Gills jpersistently white; stem equal to or 

 longer than the diameter of the cap, with a hroad distinct huUj at 

 the base. 



Common mushroom. Gills pinh, hecoming hlackish-hi'OiDn; stem 

 shorter than the diameter of the cap, with no hull at the base. 



From all forms of the edible Sheathed amanitopsis, the Poison 

 amanita differs in its distinctly bullous stem, in having a collar 

 on the stem and in the absence of striations on the margin of the 

 cap. 



From the edible Reddish amanita, it is easily separated by the 

 entire absence of any reddish hues or stains and of loarts from its 

 cap. 



From the Smooth lepiota its distinct, abrupt and margined 

 bulb at once distinguishes it. 



Boletus felleus Bull. 

 Bitter Boletus. 



Plate 43. 



Pileus fleshy, convex above, glabrous or nearly so, grayish- 

 brown, buff-brown, reddish-brown or tawny, tlesh white, taste 

 bitter; tubes long, convex in the mass in mature plants, at tirst 

 whitish, becoming pale flesh color; stem equal or tapering 

 upwards, usually reticulated at the top only, rarely wholly 

 reticulated, commonly a little paler than the pileus: spores 

 oblong-fusiform, pinkish, .0005 to .0007 inch long. 



The Bitter boletus takes its name from the bitter tlav.)r which 

 its flesh persistently maintains. It is a common species, and «)ne 

 easily recognized by its reticulated stem ami llesh-colored tubes 

 taken in connection with its bitter taste. 



The cap is rather thick, dry and smooth, but (luite variable in 

 color. This is generally some shade of brown tinged with rod or 

 yellow. The flesh is white, but when cut or broken an.! ex(x>sc<i 

 to the air it sometimes assumes a pinkish tint. 



