COMMON MUSHROOMS OF THE UNITED STATES 



409 



Photograph by George Shiras, 3d 



a bracket-fungus ('Polyporus applanatus) 



Note the concentric zones marked with match-sticks. Each zone indicates the limit of 

 a year's growth. The under side of this woody fungus makes an admirable sketching sur- 

 face. A sharp twig will do for a pencil. The bracket fungus is the fruit-body of a destructive 

 parasite very common in our forests (see page 417). You do not rid the infected tree of its 

 fungus parasite by removing the fruit-bodies. The disease is produced by the mycelium ( or 

 spawn) threads, which (more or less compacted into tissues) permeate the wood of the 

 tree. This particular species has a whitish, porous surface, which is easily embrowned on the 

 slightest touch — hence its use as a sketching surface. 



THE DEADLY AMANITA, OR DE- 

 STROYING ANGEL (Amanita phal- 



loides and its varieties). Deadly poison- 

 ous ! 



(See Color Plates V, X, and XVI) 



"Do not eat mushrooms and you will not be 

 killed by them." 



If every one followed this injunction, fur- 

 ther advice would be superfluous. That it is 

 not universally followed is certain, for each 

 year brings new records of poisoning cases, 

 most of which are caused by species of Aman- 

 ita. The first duty of those who insist on eat- 

 ing mushrooms is, therefore, to become thor- 

 oughly familiar with the botanical features of 

 this genus. These once impressed upon the 

 mind, the danger from Amanita poisoning will 

 be much reduced if not entirely eliminated. 



The following characterization of Amanitas 

 should be memorized by the beginner as he 

 would memorize a theorem in geometry: 



Any white-sporcd, more or less frce-gilled 

 fungus that possesses both ring and volva is a 



member of the very dangerous genus Amanita 

 (see chart, page 389). 



Extremely common in all parts of the coun- 

 try from June until the first frosts, the deadly 

 Amanita grows singly or scattered, in and 

 near both deciduous and coniferous woods, in 

 the soil, among leaves, particularly where the 

 ground is low, wet, and not too sandy ; also in 

 places where woods have recently been cut 

 down, such as lawns, pastures, and fields in 

 new suburbs. 



The symptoms of poisoning from this fungus 

 appear much later than those due to Amanita 

 muscaria. The unfortunate victim remains 

 quite well until seized suddenly with violent 

 abdominal pain, in from six to fifteen hours 

 after eating the fungi. Excessive vomiting, 

 thirst, and either diarrhea or constipation ac- 

 company the abdominal pain. 



The paroxysms of pain may be so severe 

 that the face becomes drawn, pinched, and of 

 a livid color (Hippocratic face). The attacks 

 of pain and vomiting come on periodically, the 

 patient loses strength rapidly, jaundice fre- 

 quently sets in, and coma finally develops, fol- 



