. Pk._

THE DARK-GREEN LACTARIUS.

[Illustration: Figure 139.--Lactarius atroviridus. Cap and stem dark
green. Cap depressed in center. Gills white.]

Atroviridus is from _ater_, black; _viridus_, green; so called from the
color of the cap and the stem of the plant.

The pileus is convex, plane, then depressed in the center, with an
adherent pellicle, greenish with darker scales, margin involute.

The gills are slightly decurrent, whitish, broad, distant; milk white
but not copious as in many of the Lactarii.

The stem is quite short, tapering downward, dark green, scaly.

The stem is so short that the cap seems to be right on the ground, hence
it is very easily overlooked. It is found only occasionally on mossy
hillsides, where there are not too many leaves. The plant in Figure 139
was found in Haynes' Hollow, near Chillicothe. I have found the plant on
top of Mt. Logan. It is found from July to October. I do not know of its
edibility. All specimens that I have found I have sent to my Mycological
friends. It should be tasted with caution.

_Lactarius subdulcis. Fr._

THE SWEET LACTARIUS. EDIBLE.

[Illustration: Figure 140.--Lactarius subdulcis.]

Subdulcis means almost sweet, or sweetish.

The pileus is two to three inches broad, rather thin, papillate, convex,
then depressed, smooth, even, zoneless, cinnamon-red or tawny-red,
margin sometimes wavy.

The gills are rather narrow, thin, close, whitish, often reddish or
tinged with red. Spores, 9-10u.

The stem is stuffed, then hollow, equal, slightly tapering upward,
slender, smooth, sometimes villous at the base. The milk is white,
sometimes rather acrid and unpleasant to the taste when raw. It needs to
be cooked a long time to make it good.

It is likely to be found anywhere, but it does best in damp places. The
plants found with us all seem to have red or cinnamon-red gills,
especially before the spores begin to fall. They are found growing on
the ground, among leaves, or on well-rotted wood and sometimes on the
bare ground. Found from July to November.

_Lactarius serifluus. Fr._

Serifluus means flowing with serum, the watery part of milk.

The pileus is fleshy, depressed in the center, dry, smooth, not zoned,
tawny-brown, margin thin, incurved.

The gills are crowded, light-brown, or yellowish, milk scanty and
watery.

The stem is solid, equal, paler than the pileus. Spores, 7-8u.

It differs from L. subdulcis in having a solid stem a