174 
Mycologia 
poisonous. In addition there are some closely related amanitas 
which are either of known poisonous character or which have long 
been regarded as suspicious, the examination of which in the lab- 
oratory indicates the possession of definite poisonous action upon 
animals. This action should undoubtedly be ascribed to the aman- 
ita-toxin which is present in all these species in small quantities. 
This group includes Amanita porphyria Albertini & Schweinitz, 
Amanita strobiliformis Vittadini, Amanita radicata Peck, Amanita 
chlorinosma Peck, Amanita map pa (Batsch) Fries, Amanita 
morrisii Peck, Amanita citrina Persoon and Amanita crenulata 
Peck. In this group should also be placed Amanitopsis volvata 
(Peck) Saccardo. All these species should be put in the group 
of deadly poisonous mushrooms by mycologists and be sedulously 
avoided by collectors (Ford 25 ). 
Poisoning by Amanita muscaria Linnaeus 
Botanical features 
Poisoning by Amanita muscaria or the “fly agaric” is, next to 
that following the ingestion of Amanita phalloides, the most fre- 
quent variety of mushroom intoxication. This is primarily due to 
the great abundance of this species and its wide distribution over 
the surface of the world. The Amanita muscaria, in addition, 
more than other fungi is subject to great variations in color, size, 
and markings due to geographical distribution and seasonal 
changes. This may possibly account for the numerous accidents 
in America resulting from mistaking Amanita muscaria for Aman- 
ita cacsarca, one of our most beautiful and highly prized edible 
amanitas. Accidents of this nature have occurred most frequently 
among foreigners, a fact which seems to indicate the closest resem- 
blance between specimens of certain European species and other 
American species. The following description of Amanita mus- 
caria taken from Farlow 26 brings out the essential botanical fea- 
tures of the plant and a little careful observation of growing fungi 
should enable collectors to distinguish. Amanita muscaria from 
Amanita caesarea without hesitation. This is especially true in 
view of the yellow gills and striking white volva of Caesar’s 
agaric. 
“The fly agaric ( Amanita muscaria) , so called because decoc- 
