LEVINE: Two SPECIES OF POISONOUS MUSHROOMS 179 
overcome by the application of atropine. When Clitocybe multi- 
ceps was applied no effect was noted. These authors hold that 
Clitocybe illudens and Inocybe infida contain a muscarine-like sub- 
stance as had already been pointed out by Ford and Sherrick 
(1911, 1913). Radaisand Sartory (1914), in an endeavor to deter- 
mine the part of the fungus that contains the most toxin, investi- 
gated all the structures of Volvaria gloiocephala and V. speciosa. 
They found that the bulb and pileus contained the most poison 
and the stipe the least. 
Murrill (1909) reported a case of poisoning due to ingestion of 
Panaeolus papilionaceus and Inocybe infida experienced by a phy- 
sician and members of his family. Тһе mushrooms caused a queer 
feeling, an increased heart action, excessive perspiration, and 
diarrhoea. Another member of the household was prostrated. 
Murrill (1916) later reported the appearance of a new toxic species 
in this genus which he called Panaeolus venenosus Murrill. The 
material came from commercial mushroom beds. The plants had 
been mistaken and eaten for Agaricus campestris, the commercial 
mushroom. The persons after eating of the plant became ill, 
dazed, and experienced a rapidly decreasing heart action and 
dilation of the pupils. A physician diagnosed the case as poisoning 
due to muscarine. 
In studying the development of Agaricus campestris, I found 
in 1916-1917 in the mushroom beds of one of the largest mush- 
room growers in the region of New York City great numbers of 
the new fungus which Murrill had described as Panaeolus venenosus 
Murrill. These plants appeared about the same time as Agaricus 
campestris and were scattered among it; and since the spawning 
of the different beds was so timed as to give a constant supply of the 
market. mushroom throughout the winter, Panaeolus venenosus 
also appeared regularly from October, 1916, to May, 1917. Рапае- 
olus venenosus (PL. 1, FIGS. 1—8; PL. 2, FIGS. 9—15) is a small 
mushroom with a fulvous or isabelline (Ridgway) colored cap 3-5 
cm. in diameter. Its stem is in length about twice the diameter 
of the cap and is covered with a white tomentum at its base, while 
its upper part is striate and covered with fine scales. The stipe 
is slightly darker in color than the pileus. The plants appear in 
fairy rings about one to two feet in diameter. Very often two or 
