SOME COMMON MUSHROOMS AND HOW TO KNOW THEM 



AMANITA MUSCAKIA. FLY AGARIC 

 (POISONOUS) 



(Fig. 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. 



Figure 3. — Amanita pJialloidcs. (Poisonous) 



Figure 4. — Amanita muscaria. (Poisonous) 



