POISONOUS MUSHROOMS. 107 



BITTER STRAW RUSSULE. 



Russula feUea. 



(Plate XV. Fig. 1.) 



This common Eussule ^ appears under 

 trees plentifully throughout autumn. The 

 pileus is about -three inches in diameter, 

 convex and flattened, a little darker in 

 the centre, but otherwise the entire fungus, 

 gills, stem, and internal substance are 

 ochrey, or of the colour of straw. The 

 stem is rather short and equal, and the 

 flesh firm, but not elastic. There are 

 several ochraceous species, but the tone 

 of colour in this diff"ers from all, and it 

 appears to be always bitter to the taste 

 when fresh. It is regarded as suspicious, 

 and if not really poisonous, it seems to 

 be quite unfit for food. We do not 

 consider it dangerous. 



There is & very large Russule which 

 is common in woods in August, which is 



