SOME COMMON MUSHROOMS AND HOW TO KNOW THEM 7 
AMANITA MUSCARIA. FLY AGARIC 
(POISONOUS) 
(Wig. 4) 
In the fly agaric the color of the 
cap ranges from yellow to orange or 
blood red, and the remnants of the 
volva remain as whitish scales on 
the cap. The veil persists as a 
large, torn ring about the upper part 
of the stem, which is white and 
enlarged at the base and usually 
marked by scaly ridges or incom- 
plete rings. © 
This species may be found during 
the summer and fall, occurring 
singly or in small associations or in 
patches of considerable size. It 
grows in cultivated soil, on partially 
cleared land, and in woods or on 
roadsides. It does not demand a 
rich soil, but rather exhibits a pref- 
erence for poor ground. ‘The color 
is an exceedingly variable charac- 
ter, the plants being brighter colored 
when young and fading as they 
mature. A very pale-colored variety 
is often found in the late autumn. 
This is a very poisonous species 
and is responsible for many deaths 
-and. numerous cases of severe 
poisoning. While its chief poison- 
ous principle is muscarine, a second 
poisonous principle is believed to be 
present. 
fi er ee 
FIGURE 3.—Amanita phalloides. (Poisonous) 
FIGURE 4.—Amanita muscaria, (Poisonous) 
