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THE PLANT WORLD. 
depth of the stem in the ground, how the plant emerges from the 
envelope, the character of the pileus (smooth and viscid to the 
touch, etc.), gills, stem, ring, and bag or volva. 
The fly amanita, sometimes called false orange (Amanita 
muse aria) .—This also occurs in woods and groves. It too is 
deadly poisonous but the poison can be counteracted if a physi¬ 
cian is called in time, by hypodermic injections of atropin. In 
this plant the outer envelope or volva does not form a bag, but 
the upper part forms numerous white scales on the orange, or 
reddish orange cap, while the lower half forms two or three 
coarse scaly rings on the base of the stem. Note the form and 
distribution of the scales on the pileus, the color of the pileus, the 
striations on the margin, and the character of the surface to the 
touch. (These mushrooms are not poisonous to the touch, it is 
only when eaten that they are poisonous.) Note color of gills, 
character of the stem, and of the veil and ring. How do the 
veil and ring on the stem differ in appearance and origin from 
the coarse scaly rings on the base of the stem ? 
Edible Amanitas. 
Although there are a few species of Amanita which are edible, 
it is better for beginners to avoid eating any of them. There are, 
however, strong reasons why they should be carefully studied. 
The royal amanita, or royal agaric (Amanita caesarea). —This 
is one of the most beautiful of all the mushrooms. It occurs in 
July and August, in woods or open woods or groves. The cap 
is a rich orange, striate on the margin; the gills are yellow, and 
the veil is usually yellow, while the volva is white, thick, and 
bag-like. The plant is more common in the Southern States than 
in the north. Compare these plants with the two former ama¬ 
nitas, describe the points of difference and resemblance. 
The reddish amanita (Amanita rubescens) .—This is about the 
size of the fly amanita, but the pileus is suffused with red, the 
envelope is thinner and more delicate, and is all more or less 
crumbly and easily washed off by rains. Compare it carefully, 
with the fly agaric. 
Beginners should avoid eating amanitas or any suspicious 
