brown
velvety down. The spores are elliptical, 5-6x3-4u.

I found the specimen in Figure 233 at the foot of an old pine tree on
hillside at Sugar Grove, Ohio. I found the plant frequently at Salem,
Ohio. It grows where the pine tree is a native. It is not poisonous. I
do not regard it as very good. Found during August and September.

_Paxillus rhodoxanthus. Schw._

THE YELLOW PAXILLUS. EDIBLE.

[Illustration: Figure 234.--Paxillus rhodoxanthus. Two-thirds natural
size. Cap reddish-yellow or chestnut-brown. Gills yellow.]

Rhodoxanthus means a yellow rose. The pileus is one to two inches broad,
convex, then expanded, cushion-shaped, the epidermis of the cap often
cracked showing the yellow flesh, resembling very much Boletus
subtomentosus; reddish-yellow or chestnut-brown. The flesh is yellow and
the cap dry.

The gills are decurrent, somewhat distant, stout, chrome yellow,
occasionally forked at the base; anastomosing veins quite prominent, the
cystidia being very noticeable.

The stem is firm, stout, of the same color as the cap, perhaps paler and
more yellow at the base. The spores are oblong, yellow, 8-12x3-5u.

This is one of the most troublesome plants whose genus we have to
settle. One of my mycological friends advised me to omit it from the
genus altogether. It has been placed in various genera, but I have
followed Prof. Atkinson and classed it under Paxillus. The plant is
widely distributed. I find it frequently about Chillicothe. It is
edible. Found in August, September and October. A full discussion of the
plant will be found in Prof. Atkinson's book.

_Cortinarius. Fr._

Cortinarius is from _cortina_, a curtain, alluding to a cobwebby veil
seen only in the comparatively young plants. Sometimes, parts of it will
seem more substantial, remaining for a time on the margin of the cap or
on the stem. The color of the pileus varies and its flesh and that of
the stem are continuous. The hymenophore and the gills are continuous.
The gills are attached to the stem, frequently notched, membranaceous,
persistent, changing color, dry, powdery, with rusty-yellow spores which
drop slowly. The veil and gills are the chief marks of distinction. The
former is gossamer-like and separate from the cuticle, and the latter
are always powdered. It is always essential to note the color of the
gills in the young plant, since color is variable and sometimes shows
only the slightest trace on the stem, colored from the fa