Although this species is very generally recognized by mycologists as
edible, I would advise great caution in selecting specimens for table
use, since there is a dangerous species which might be mistaken for it
by one not familiar with the characteristics of both species; I refer to
a form of Amanita muscaria with ochraceous yellow cap which, when faded
or bleached by the sun and rain, sometimes approaches, in tint, the
dingy white of old or faded specimens of the _strobiliformis_. Both
species have _white gills_, _white stems_, and _white flocculent veil_.
The volva is evanescent in both, leaving traces of its existence in
concentric ridges at the base, and part way up the stem.

In the species _strobiliformis_, the flesh of the cap is white
throughout, as well as the cuticle.

In the yellowish _muscaria_, the flesh _immediately_ beneath the cuticle
of the upper surface of the cap is yellowish, frequently deepening at
the disk to orange hue.

The cap of Amanita _muscaria_ is very attractive to flies, but proves
to them, as also to roaches and to some other insects, a deadly poison.

The juice of _strobiliformis_ is not poisonous to flies. This fact may
aid in identifying the species.

Subgenus _Amanitopsis_ Roze. The species of this subgenus were formerly
included in Amanita. The characteristic which separates it from Amanita
is the _absence of a ring on the stem_. The gills are free from the
stem, the spores are white, and the whole plant in youth is encased in
an egg-shaped volva.[A]

[A] Although this subgenus is not included in M. C. Cooke's analytical
key to the order of Agaricini, published with his kind permission in No.
3 of this series, he now includes it as one of the subgenera which
should have a place in that list.

Amanitopsis _vaginata_ Roze. Edible.

This species is very common in pine and oak forests. The plant, as a
whole, has a graceful aspect and grows singly or scattered through open
places in the woods. It is somewhat fragile and easily broken. The cap
in this species is usually a mouse-gray, sometimes slaty gray or
brownish, generally umbonate in the center and distinctly striated on
the margin.

The stem is white, equal, and slender in proportion to the width of the
cap, and sheathed quite far up with a loose white membranous wrapper.
This sheath is so slightly attached to the base of the stem that it is
often left in the ground if the plant is carelessly pulled. The gills
are whit