8 BULLETIN 175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Cap 3£ to 5 \ inches broad, stem 4 to 6 inches long. (PI. I, fig. 3 ; from V. K. Chesnut.) 



Amanita muscaria may be found during the summer and fall, occurring singly, or in 

 small associations, or in patches of considerable size. It grows in cultivated soil, 

 partially cleared land, and in woods or roadsides. It does not demand a rich soil, but 

 rather exhibits a preference for poor ground. The color is an exceedingly variable 

 character, the plants being brighter colored when young and fading as they mature. 

 The European plant possesses more gorgeous colors than the American form . 



This is a very poisonous species, and it has been the subject of many pharmaco- 

 logical and chemical investigations. Its chief poisonous principle is muscarine, 

 although a second poisonous element is believed to be present, as atropine does not 

 entirely neutralize the effect of injections of Amanita muscaria in animals. 



This species has been responsible for many deaths, and numerous cases of severe 

 illness have been caused by persons mistaking Amanita muscaria, the poisonous species, 

 for Amanita caesarea, the edible species. While typical specimens of these two species 

 possess distinguishing characters, as already shown, it is again recommended to shun 

 all Amanitae. 



In Siberian Russia the natives make several uses of Amanita muscaria. Preserved 

 in salt it is eaten, though probably more as a condiment than as a main article of diet; 

 a decoction is popular as an intoxicant, and deaths are reported upon good authority 

 as resulting from a ' 'muscaria orgy." 



Amanita phalloides. Death cup. (Deadly poisonous.) 



Cap white, lemon, or obive to umber, fleshy, viscid when moist, smooth or with 

 patches or scales, broadly oval, bell shaped, convex, and finally expanded, old speci- 

 mens sometimes depressed by the elevation of the margin; gills free, white; stem 

 generally smooth and white, in dark varieties colored Like the cap but lighter, solid 

 downward, bulbous, hollow, and attenuated upward; ring superior, reflexed, gener- 

 ally entire, white. 



The large, free volva, its lower portion closely adherent to the bulb, and the large 

 ring are of assistance in distinguishing this species. 



Cap 3 to 4 inches broad; stem 3 to 5 inches long. (PI. I, fig. 2.) 



This species and its forms are subject to great variation in color, ranging from white, 

 pale yellow, and olive to brown. Amanita phalloides is a very cosmopolitan plant 

 and one of very common occurrence. It is the most dangerous of all mushrooms, for 

 no antidote to overcome its deadly effect is known. It exhibits no special preference 

 as regards habitat and is found growing in woods or cultivated land from summer to 

 late autumn. When fresh it is without scent, but a peculiarly sickening odor is present 

 in drying plants. 



Amanita rubescens. 



Cap oval to convex, nearly expanded when old, covered with numerous, unequal, 

 thin, floccose, grayish scales, which are noticeably persistent in dry weather, surface 

 smooth or very faintly striate; stem, cylindrical, tapering above, bulb prominent, 

 suffused reddish; ring membranaceous, large, fragile; volva persisting as floccose 

 scales on the cap or present as loose fragments on the bulb. 



Cap 4 to 5 inches broad; stem 4 to 5 inches long, about 1 inch thick. (PL II, fig. 4.) 

 This species occurs quite abundantly in the late summer or early fall. It is often 

 found in patches, but it may also appear singly. The European form is sometimes 

 regarded as poisonous, but the American form of Amanita rubescens is considered 

 edible. Again the advice to the amateur is to avoid all Amanitae. Dr. W. W. Ford, 

 of Johns Hopkins Hospital, who conducted extensive experiments concerning the 

 poisonous principle in certain Amanitae, states that the American form of this species 

 is not poisonous to man. 



