EUTHALLEPHYTA—EUMYCETES— AMANITA 243 



a guinea-pig in twenty-four hours. The amanita-toxin contains no proteid, does not respond 

 to any alkaloidal reagents, and on fusion with potassium hydrate gives off idol and pyrol. 

 At first thought to be a congugate sulphate, I have recently found in association with Mr. 

 Prouty that this opinion is incorrect. We hope to ascertain the more exact characterization 

 of this poison shortly." 



Lepiota. Fr. Lepiota Toadstool 



Plant with fleshy stem which can easily be separated from the cap; gills 

 usually free from the stem; in some species the top of the cap breaks from 

 the scales which adhere; volva absent. A small genus widely distributed. 

 Some species are edible; L. procera is said to be excellent as food. 



L. Morgani. Pk. 



A large fleshy plant, sometimes a foot across the cap, with a thick stout 

 stem and a ring removed a little distance from the gills ; the pileus, when 

 fully expanded, whitish, with dark scales; the spores and gills greenish. 



Distribution. From Ohio southward and westward in grassy places, some- 

 times forming large fairy rings. 



Poisonous properties. This plant is quite harmless to some people, but to 

 others it causes very unpleasant symptoms. It should be eaten with caution. 



Rtissula. Pers. Russula 



Cap red, purple, violet, pink, blue, yellow, or green; pileus fleshy, convex, 

 readily expanded and at length depressed; stem brittle, stout and smooth, 

 spongy within and confluent with the cap. 



Russula emetica. Fr. 



Pileus fleshy, quite viscid, expanded, polished, shining, oval or bell-shaped 

 when young, rose-red to yellow or even purple ; margin furrowed, flesh white ; 

 gills free, equal, broad, distinct and white; stems stout, solid, or occasionally 

 spongy ; spores spherical. 



Distribution. Widely distributed in North America. Found in pastures 

 and under trees. Readily distinguished by viscid cap and color. Mr. Hand 

 states that it is easily recognized by its acrid taste and free gills. 



Poisonous properties. Mr. Mcllvaine says that he has repeatedly eaten 

 them and referred to a number of others who have also eaten them without 

 any bad results, but Hand thinks that their acrid taste is against their use or 

 rather cautions their use. Prof. Ford states that they cause profound gastro- 

 intestinal disturbances, such as attacks of vomiting and diarrhoea, recovery only 

 after thorough emptying of the stomach. 



Volvaria. Fr. Volvaria- 



Universal veil forming a perfect volva, separate from outer part of the 

 pileus; stem readily separated from pileus; gills free, at first white, then pink, 

 and then reddish, and soft. 



Volvaria bombycina. (Pers.) Fr. 



This plant has a silky lustre; pileus is from 6 to 8 inches broad, globose, 

 becoming bell-shaped, convex and somewhat umbonate; flesh white; gills crowd 



