SECTION 3. 
Volva separating in an irregular circumscissile manner, usually breaking up 
into scales disposed in rings. 
Notwithstanding the confusion regarding whether 
many American species belong in this section or the 
preceding, the sections are clearly distinct and all the 
confusion is a result of imperfect observations and 
records; also of great disadvantage that many of 
our American species have been described from dried 
specimens, whei e the author is not familiar with the 
growing plant. 
In the preceding section the volva separates defi¬ 
nitely circumscissile, as though cut around with a 
knife, leaving an entire circular scar (or usually a 
ring) at the base of the stem ; in this section it breaks 
irregularly circumscissile leaving at the base of the 
stem scales (more or less persistent) which are dis¬ 
posed in rings. 
KEY. 
Plant' colored (white in a form of muscaria.)* 
Plant white.r 
*Spores elliptical .1 
*Spores globose,.. . . 10 Frostiana. 
{Margin of pileus striate, apex of stem striate from 
decurrent lines of the gills,.9 muscaria. 
{Margin of pileus striate. Gills rounded, not reaching 
Fig. 5 . Yolva separating irregularly the stem,.12 excelsa. 
circumscissal. {Margin of pileus sulcate, ...... .11 russuloides. 
fl conceive that the white species of this and the next section have been much confused, 
perhaps several of them are the same species re-described. 
I cannot construct a key that would be of any value and only refer to the original descrip¬ 
tions in Appendix of this work. Most of these plants have solid stems, even margins, and usually 
large bulbous bases to the stipes. The white variety of muscaria can be readily distinguished 
from them by having neither of these characters. 
Those who meet with a white species of Amanita should make a careful study and notes on 
it and compare it with the descriptions of the following species of this and the next section. 
13. Candida. 
14. Solitaria. 
15. Polypyramis. 
16. Strobiliformis. 
17. Ravenelii. 
NEXT SECTION. 
Chlorinosma. 
Daucipes, (said to be yellowish.) 
Monticulosa. 
Prairiicola. 
Abrupta. 
Nitida. 
9. Amanita muscaria. Pileus in wet weather with a glutinous pel¬ 
licle, margin striate, flesh yellowish under the pellicle. Spores elliptical. (See 
Stevenson, p. 5) 
This.species is common and reported on every list that has been published from Nebraska 
east. It is not recorded from the Pacific Coast. It is an extremely variable plant as to color. 
It is usually orange when young, fading to yellow, though variations occur, which are brown, 
livid, yellow, and even pure white. European plates of the plant are the most brilliant hues, 
generally bright flaming red. The gorgeous colors do not occur in this country, the usual 
color being a pale yellow, though I have seen very young specimens bright crimson, but they 
fade as the plants mature. Prof. Peck has mentioned the following varieties based on size or 
color, but the varieties are not constant, “var. regalis,” “var. umbrinus,” “var. alba,”‘‘var. 
formosa.” 
10. Amanita Frostiana. Color orange or yellow resembling muscaria, 
margin striate, spores globose. (See Appendix, p. 13.) 
i'his species was originally listed (though never published) by Frost, under the name 
Amanita aftinis. In Peck’s early work he called it Amanita muscaria var. minor, describing 
it as a distinct species and changing Frost’s name in his revision of the genus. It resembles a 
small form of muscaria in every respect save it has globose spores. It has been reported N. 
Y., Peck ; Mass., Frost; Wis., Bundy ; Ala., U. A E.; Penn., Herbst. 
11. Amanita russuloides. Color pale yellow. Margin of pileus 
widely striate-tuberculate. Spores elliptical. (See Appendix, p. 14.) 
This is an extremely rare plant. It was discovered by Prof. Peck and described in 1871, 
but has not been met with by him or recorded by others since. Dr. Herbst a few seasons ago 
found a plant which he doubtfully referred here. Should it be again found it should be read¬ 
ily recognized by the widely striate tuberculate margin of the pileus, similar to Russula 
fi’agilis, (whence its name.)” 
5 
