In species that belong to the genus Lactarius, the gills exude 
drops of a milky or colored juice where cut or broken. In most 
species this juice exudes from any part of the plant, but most 
freely, perhaps, from the gills. This character, combined with 
the brittle vescicular substance, is sufficient to separate these fun- 
gifrom all others. The stems, though thick and stout, are easily 
broken, and the fracture is even, not ragged and shreddy, as in a 
more fibrous substance. In shape and size the species bear con- 
siderable resemblance to species of Clitocybe, but the flesh, juice, 
and often the markings of the cap, easily distinguish them. 
Many species have a very acrid or hot and burning flavor like 
that of cayenne pepper. Some writers have recommended the re- 
jection of all such species, and it is a very good rule to observe. 
The only objection to it is that its observance would deprive us 
of the use of a few of these species in which the acrid taste is de- 
stroyed by cooking. Dr. Curtis records the Unsavory lactarius, - 
Lactarius insulsus, and the Peppery lactarius, Lactarius pipera- 
tus, as edible, though both, when fresh, have a very acrid taste. 
The two species here described have been long and well known 
as safe and edible. One has an orange-colored juice, the other a 
white or milky juice. 
The Delicious lactarius, Lactarius deliciosus, is well marked 
by its peculiar colors, and easily distinguished from all others by 
its orange-colored juice. The cap is broadly convex in the young 
plant, but in maturity it is 
centrally depressed, or, by 
the elevation of the margin, 
it becomes funnel-shaped. It 
is smooth and moist, or very 
slightly viscid, and of a yel- 
lowish or pale orange hue, 
and adorned with circles or 
mottled zones of deeper 
hues. These zones or bands 
appear to be made of conflu- 
ent spots. In old plants they 
are less distinct, and the general color becomes faded, and often 
varied with greenish stains. Such plants are unattractive, often 
wormy and unfit for food. The flesh is whitish, stained with or- 
ange, especially in the part next the gills. Its taste is often very 
slightly acrid. 
The gills are orange-colored, but clearer than the cap. The 
orange juice exudes freely from them where cut or broken. It 
63 
(! 
Lactarius deliciosus. L. volemus. 
