206 
colorous; flesh white, not objectionable to the taste, although at 
times emitting a slightly disagreeable odor; gills white, not 
sheathed at the swollen base with a conspicuous white volva 
or ‘‘death-cup” 2.5-4 cm. in diameter 
e above description applies — to the white form. The 
species is common during summer and autumn in open groves 
and along the edges of woods. The most important part of 
the deadly amanita is the sheath at the base of the stem known 
as the “‘death-cup.”’ This is what remains of the outer coat 
of the ‘‘egg”’ after the cap has burst from it and has been carried 
upward by the growing stem. The ring on the stem is somewhat 
similar to that of the common mushroom, but the gills are white, 
both when young and old, those of the common mushroom being 
at first pink, then black. 
When gathering mushrooms, it is exceedingly important to get 
all of the stem and not leave a portion of it in the ground, since 
the ‘‘death-cup”’ may thus be overlooked. Mushrooms should 
not be gathered in the ‘‘button 
are growing in the same place, otherwise an ‘‘egg”’ of one of 
the poisonous kinds may be collected by mis 
If distress is experienced within four or Ae hours after eating 
” 
stage unless mature specimens 
mushrooms, it is probably a case of indigestion or minor poisoning 
and should readily yield to a prompt emetic. If, however, from 
eight to twelve hours have elapsed since eating the mushrooms, 
disagreeable symptoms should be taken very seriously, since it 
is almost certain that one of the deadly narcotic poisons is at 
work. A physician should at once be called and the heart action 
stimulated by a hypodermic injection of about one sixtieth of 
a grain of Seen which should be repeated twice at half hour 
intervals. Atropine is an antidote to the poison of the “fly 
manita,’’ which gee es the nerves controlling the action of 
the heart. If the ‘“‘deadly amanita”’ has been eaten, the atropine 
will probably do no good, and death will surely follow if the 
amount eaten is sufficient. 
