Field Work in the Genus Russula 245 



but this can be seen much plainer in the fresh specimen than in 

 the dried state. In some all the lamellae reach the stipe and are 

 simple; in others shorter lamellae are promiscuously scattered 

 among the long ones ; in others the short and the long lamellae 

 are systematically arranged. Sometimes lamellae fork near the 

 stipe only, and sometimes they fork once or twice midway to the 

 margin. When the time at one's disposal is short these char- 

 acteristics may be left to observe in the dried state if the mush- 

 rooms are properly dried. 



It is, of course, necessary to describe the color of the pileus 

 while the mushrooms are fresh. Not only may the color change 

 during one night after they have been collected, but the color of 

 the dried specimens is often very different from that of fresh 

 ones. Water-color sketches of Russulae have great value in 

 expressing the color. One who is collecting fleshy fungi should 

 follow some standard color nomenclature in describing the color. 

 While the color of some species varies through a wide range, 

 there is generally a certain key note of color, as it were, through- 

 out the variation, or certain limitations in variation from which 

 one learns in time to recognize the species. Again there is some 

 other constant characteristic which distinguishes a species in spite 

 of the color variation, as the odor and sordid discoloration of R. 

 atropurpurea Pk., or the slight odor and soapy or sticky feeling of 

 the stipe of R. Mariae Pk. While studying the color of the 

 pileus one should determine to what extent the cuticle can be 

 peeled off, and a specimen showing the result of this attempt 

 should be included in the collection. Whether the surface is vis- 

 cid or not is important and can be best observed in the field. 

 The glabrous, pruinose, tomentose, or areolate character of the 

 surface may be permanent, or the surface may change with age 

 or with drying, so that it is advisable to observe the surface of 

 the young and mature specimens in the fresh state. 



Of as great importance as the taste and the changing color of 

 the context is the spore color. Sometimes it is difficult to obtain 

 a spore print after specimens have been brought in, and in order 

 to be sure of a satisfactory print, it is -a good plan to place a 

 mature pileus on a piece of clear white paper when the plants are 



