s the almost entire absence of any remains of
the volva at the base of the stem. By this, and by the dull red hues and
the bruised portions quickly changing to a reddish color, it is easily
distinguished from any of the poisonous Amanitas.

According to Cordier it is largely used as an article of food in France.
Stevenson and Cooke speak well of it. I noticed the small Bohemian boys
gathered it about Salem, Ohio, not having been in this country more than
a week and not being able to speak a word of English. It convinced me
that it was an article of diet in Bohemia and that our species is
similar to theirs. I have found the plants in woods about Bowling Green
and Sidney, Ohio. The plants in Figure 27 were collected on Johnson's
Island, Sandusky, Ohio, and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. It is found
from June to September.

_Amanita aspera. Fr._

ROUGH AMANITA.

Aspera means rough. The pileus is convex, then plane; warts minute,
somewhat crowded, nearly persistent; margin even, rather thin,
increasing in thickness toward the stem; scarcely umbonate, reddish with
various tints of livid and gray; flesh rather solid, white, with tints
of reddish-brown immediately next to the epidermis.

The gills are free, with sometimes a little tooth behind, running down
the stem, white, broad in front.

The stem is white, squamulose, bulb rugulose, ring superior and entire.
The spores are 8x6u.

When the flesh is bruised or eaten by insects it assumes a reddish-brown
color, and in this respect it resembles A. rubescens. The odor is strong
but the taste is not unpleasant. In woods from June till October. The
collector should be sure he knows the plant before he eats it.

_Amanita caesarea. Scop._

THE ORANGE AMANITA. EDIBLE.

[Illustration: Figure 28.--Amanita caesarea. From a drawing showing the
different stages of the plant. Caps, gills, stem and collar yellow,
volva white.]

[Illustration: _Photo by H. C. Beardslee._

Figure 29.--Amanita caesarea.]

The Orange Amanita is a large, attractive, and beautiful plant. I have
marked it edible, but no one should eat it unless he is thoroughly
acquainted with all the species of the genus Amanita, and then with
great caution. It is said to have been Caesar's favorite mushroom. The
pileus is smooth, hemispherical, bell-shaped, convex, and when fully
expanded nearly flat, the center somewhat elevated and the margin
slightly curved downward; red or orange, fading to yellow on the