182 
Mycologia 
Clitocybe illudens Schweinitz 
There has always been a tradition that this species is poisonous 
and not pleasant to eat. Several cases of poisoning from its con- 
sumption are recorded but it seems not to have caused fatal re- 
sults. Clitocybe illudens grows in clumps at the base of tree 
trunks where its bright orange-brown color and phosphorescent 
glow at night seem to have attracted unfavorable attention. 
Ford 42 has reported that this fungus produces an acute intoxica- 
tion in guinea pigs and that boiling the extracts of the plant seems 
to destroy the toxic properties as is sometimes the case with 
Amanita muse aria. Recently Clark and Smith 11 have investi- 
gated Clitocybe illudens and have found that upon the exposed 
frog heart it exerts a typical muscarin effect, which is neutralized 
at once by the application of atropin solutions. On the whole we 
may safely say that Clitocybe illudens is a dangerous fungus since 
it contains a muscarin-like substance having a powerful action 
on the nervous system. 
Clitocybe dealbata sudorifica Peck 
The original species, Clitocybe dealbata Sowerby, has usually 
been considered harmless but Peck 43 investigated a reported case 
of poisoning by it and has found that a form of Clitocybe deal- 
bata causes profuse perspiration and discomfort. In consequence, 
Peck gave this form the varietal name sudorifica and advised 
caution in its use as food. Ford and Sherrick 44 have found that 
this fungus causes effects upon animals that are nearly identical 
with those produced by Amanita muscaria. As mentioned in 
the discussion of Clitocybe illudens, Clark and Smith have found 
that Clitocybe illudens shows a typical muscarin action also ; there- 
fore it seems likely that these two clitocybes may contain nerve 
poisons nearly as active as muscarin. 
Lactarius torminosus Fries 
As a general rule, specimens of the genus Lactarius are edible 
but this particular species has always been looked upon askance 
by mushroom eaters because of the painful gastro-intestinal dis- 
orders it causes. Ford 42 has studied its action on animals and has 
demonstrated that it can produce an acute intoxication with only 
