METHODS FOR SATISFACTORY FIELD 

 WORK IN THE GENUS RUSSULA 



Gertrude S. Burlingham 



There are undoubtedly many unreported and undescribed 

 species of Russula in the United States. While it is true that the 

 color variations in the same species and the absence of striking 

 characteristics make the identification more difficult than in some 

 genera, the proper study of the species in the field will overcome 

 this difficulty to a large extent. When one is collecting in a rich 

 field, there is always a temptation to sacrifice the quality of the 

 work to the quantity of material taken. But one should remem- 

 ber that five collections of Russula with complete field notes are 

 of more value than any number of specimens without full de- 

 scriptions. 



The first essential in collecting is to keep each collection sep- 

 arate. One method is to put each collection in a paper bag of 

 proper size ; another, used by the Boston Mycological Club, con- 

 sists in wrapping the specimens in waxed paper. Each number 

 should be acompanied by a statement of the locality, date, habitat 

 and habits of growth. When possible it is desirable to obtain 

 subsequent collections from the same place so as to accumulate 

 data as to the season of growth, and any variations in color, size, 

 or habit. 



The most important fact to be learned in the field is the char- 

 acter of the taste. Both young and mature mushrooms should be 

 tasted. I have found it preferable to taste the pileus rather than 

 the stipe, since when the context is only slightly acrid the taste is 

 more pronounced in the pileus. While it is advisable to taste 

 cautiously at first lest the context prove to be very acrid, one 

 should chew enough to determine beyond question whether the 

 taste is acrid, mild, astringent, bitter, or in any way disagreeable. 



While examining the context one should also observe whether 

 the broken flesh changes color. This change is not always rapid. 



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