Coprinus.
Gills not deliquescent,
Gills decurrent Gomphidius.
Gills not decurrent, pileus striate Psathyrella.
Pileus not striate, ring wanting, veil often present
on margin Panaeolus.
Ring wanting, veil appendiculate Chalymotta.
Ring present Anellaria.

CHAPTER II.

THE WHITE-SPORED AGARICS.

The species bearing the white spores seem to be higher in type than
those producing colored spores. Most of the former are firmer, while the
black spored specimens soon deliquesce. The white spores are usually
oval, sometimes round, and in many cases quite spiny. All white-spored
specimens will be found in clean places.

_Amanita. Pers._

_Amanita_ is supposed to be derived from Mount Amanus, an ancient name
of a range separating Cilicia from Syria. It is supposed that Galen
first brought specimens of this fungus from that region.

The genus _Amanita_ has both a volva and veil. The spores are white and
the stem is readily separable from the cap. The volva is universal at
first, enveloping the young plant, yet distinct and free from the
cuticle of the pileus.

This genus contains some of the most deadly poisonous mushrooms,
although a few are known to be very good. There is a large number of
species--about 75 being known, 42 of which have been found in this
country--a few being quite common in this state. All the Amanita are
terrestrial plants, mostly solitary in their habits, and chiefly found
in the woods, or in well wooded grounds.

In the button stage it resembles a small egg or puff-ball, as will be
seen in Figure 6, page 11, and great care should be taken to distinguish
it from the latter, if one is hunting puff-balls to eat; yet the danger
is not great, since the volva usually breaks before the plant comes
through the ground.

_Amanita phalloides. Fr._

THE DEADLY AMANITA.

[Illustration: Figure 11.--Amanita phalloides. Fr. Showing volva at the
base, cap dark.]

[Illustration: Figure 12.--Amanita phalloides. Fr. White form showing
volva, scaly stem, ring.]

_Phalloides_ means phallus-like. This plant and its related species are
deadly poisonous. For this reason the plant should be carefully studied
and thoroughly known by every mushroom hunter. In different localities,
and sometimes in t