334 ECOLOGY. 



to the stem as a collar, or a portion of it remains clinging to 

 the margin of the cap. When the buttons are very young 

 the gills are white, but they soon become pink in color, and 



Fig. 441. 

 Amanita phalloides ; white form, sliowing pileus, stipe, annulus, and vol\^. 



very soon after the veil breaks the spores mature, and then 

 the gills are dark brown. 



617. Beware of the poisonous mushroom. — The number of 

 species of mushrooms, or toadstools as they are often called, is 

 very great. Besides the common mushroom ( Agaricus campes- 



