and rarely exceeds two inches in
breadth. The cap and the tough and tubular stem are buff, and the
gills, few in number and bulging out in the middle, are of a lighter
shade of the same color. There is no ring about the stem. Several
crops of the fairy-ring mushroom are produced all through the season,
but the most prolific growth appears after the late fall rains. There
are other fungi forming rings, some of which are poisonous, and they
may not be easily distinguished from the edible species; hence great
care is essential in gathering them. The under surface of the cap is
brown or blackish in the mature plants of poisonous species.

[Illustration: FIG. 38.

THE FAIRY-RING MUSHROOM.

(_Marasmius Oreades._)

An edible variety.]

=5. Edible Puffball= (_Lycoperdon Cyathiforme_).--Edible puffballs
grow in open pastures, and on lawns and grassplots, often forming
rings. They are spherical in form, generally from one and a half to
two inches, occasionally six inches, in diameter, broad and somewhat
flattened at the top, and tapering at the base, white or brown
outside. They often present an irregularly checkered appearance, owing
to the fact that the white interior shows between the dark raised
parts. The interior is at first pure white and of solid consistency,
but later becomes softer and yellowish, and then contains an
amber-colored juice. After the puffball has matured, the contents
change into a brown, dustlike mass, and the top falls off; and it is
then inedible. All varieties of puffball with a pure white interior
are harmless, if eaten before becoming crumbly and powdery. There is
only one species thought to be poisonous, and that has a yellow-brown
exterior, while the interior is purple-black, marbled with white.

[Illustration: FIG. 39.

THE EDIBLE PUFFBALL.

(_Lycoperdon Cyathiforme._)

Upper illustration shows entire plant; lower, a section.]

=POISONOUS MUSHROOMS FREQUENTLY MISTAKEN.=

_To escape eating poisonous mushrooms do not gather the buttons, and
be suspicious of those growing in woods and shady spots that show any
bright hue, or have a scaly or dotted cap, or white gills.[9] By so
doing the following species will be avoided._

=Fly Amanita= (_Amanita Muscaria_).--Infusions of this mushroom made
by boiling in water are used to kill flies. This species grows in
woods and shady places, by roadsides, and along the borders of fields,
and is much commoner than the _campestris_ in some locali