MUSHROOMS 



275 



both veil and volva, or finally whether it is naked, that 

 is, devoid of both. 



Next take a fully expanded 

 specimen and observe b.. 



391. The Stipe, or stalk. 

 Notice as to length, thick- 

 ness, color, and position, 

 that is, whether it is in- 

 serted in the center of the 

 cap or to one side (excen- 

 tric), or on one edge (lateral). 

 Observe the base, whether 

 bulbous, tapering, or straight, 

 and whether surrounded by 

 a cup, or merely by con- 

 centric rings or ragged bits 

 of membrane (the remains 

 of the volva). Look for the annulus or ring (remains of 

 the veil) near the insertion of the stipe 

 into the cap, and if there is one, notice 

 whether it adheres to the stipe, or 

 moves freely up and down as in Figure 

 527, a; whether it is thick and firm, or 

 broad and membranous so that it hangs 

 like a sort of curtain round the upper 

 part of the stipe (Fig. 524, a). Break 

 the stem and notice whether it is hollow 

 or solid, observe also the texture, 

 whether brittle, cartilaginous, fibrous, 

 fleshy, etc. Next observe the 



526. — Diagram of unexpanded Ama- 

 nita, showing parts : a, volva ; d, pileus ; 

 iT, gills; d,VQi\; ^, stipe; »2, mycelium. 



527. — Parasol mush- 

 room [^Lepiota procera), 

 showing movable an- 

 nulus : ' st, stipe ; li, an- 

 nulus, or ring ; «, umbo; 

 /,/, floccose patches left 

 by volva. 



392. Pileus, or cap, as to color and 

 surface, whether dry, or moist and 

 sticky; smooth, or covered with scurf 

 or scales left by the remains of the 

 volva, as it was stretched and broken 

 up by the expanding cap (Fig. 527,/,/). Note also the 

 size and shape, whether conical, expanded, funnel shaped 



