390 



THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



Photograph by A. G. and B. Leeper 



the blusher (Amanita rubescens) is edible 



There are many thousands of species of mushrooms and many strange forms, as the 

 succeeding photographs show. The collector observes especially variations in the cap (i), 

 gills (2), ring (3), stem (4), volva (see page 389), and col.or of the spores (for an account 

 of these marvelous reproductive bodies, see pages 392, 402, 415). 



Though edible, the Blusher is a member of the dangerous genus Amanita, and should 

 therefore be eaten only by those who are thoroughly familiar with a large number of 

 Amanitas. Its volva has disappeared into warts on the cap, see description of figure I, 

 page 389. It may be yellowish, entirely white, and often very much deformed or aborted in 

 shape, and quite frequently specimens are found that refuse to "blush." The Blusher is 

 found in thin and dense woods, solitary or scattered; time, July to September; distribution, 

 United States, east of the Mississippi, and in Enrope. About natural size. For color figures 

 of Amanitas, see Plates II. V, IX. X. XV, and XVI. 



