REPORT OF THE STATE BOTANIST 



285 



nized. The cap is at first convex and, as in nearly all species of 

 Lactarius, with advancing age it expands and becomes nearly 

 flat or is somewhat depressed in the center and slightly funnel 

 form. It is very smooth and generally quite regular. Sometimes 

 it has a slight umbo or protuberance in the center as shown in 

 figure 2. In the mature plant the epidermis sometimes cracks 

 into small angular patches or areas. In the descriptions of the 

 European plant this is given as one of the distinguishing charac- 

 ters of the species, but it is by no means constant in the Ameri- 

 can plant. Indeed, it is more often absent than present. The 

 color of the cap is a peculiar mixture of red, brown and yellow, 

 somewhat difficult to describe. It has been called reddish- 

 tawny, golden-tawny, brownish-orange and orange-brown. It 

 varies somewhat in the depth of coloring, some being a shade 

 darker or a shade paler than others, but the essential color is 

 quite constant. In variety subrugosus, represented in figure 6, 

 the margin of the cap is roughened with wrinkles which form 

 irregular reticulations. In this variety the color is generally a 

 little darker than in the normal forms. The flesh is white, some- 

 times tinged with yellow. 



The gills are closely placed side by side and are attached to 

 the stem by the whole width of their inner extremity, or in ma- 

 ture funnel-form caps they run down on the stem somewhat. 

 They are white or yellowish. Where cut or broken a white 

 juice or milk exudes in drops, and wounds or bruises quickly 

 assume a brownish hue. 



The stem is colored like the cap, but generally it is a little 

 paler. It is quite firm and smooth and generally solid. It varies 

 in length but is not often longer than the diameter of the cap. 



Cap two to five inches broad, stem one to four inches long, 

 one-third to three-fourths of an inch thick. 



It grows in thin woods and open places. It is especially found 

 in woods and groves of chestnut and oak. It is a common species 

 and occurs from July to September. It is most abundant in 

 warm showery weather. Usually many individuals will be found 

 growing in company or in groups, so that it is not difficult to ob- 

 tain a generous supply for the table. It is remarkably free from 

 the attacks of insects, which is a point in its favor as an esculent. 

 Sometimes in drying it emits an unpleasant odor, which is per- 



