. The Canadian field-naturalist. 76 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. lighter in shade, becoming discolored on handling. It ends in an abrupt bulb which generally has a sharp rim standing up around it, forming a sort of cup, called poison cup or volva. This poison cud is usually deeply buried in the soil, so that in order to find it it is necessary to dig the plant up. Gills white and remain white, never becoming pink or brown. The ring is white, prominent and is high up on the stalk close to the cap. The ring is attached to the stalk, not loose as in the smooth white mushroom or para
. The Canadian field-naturalist. 76 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. lighter in shade, becoming discolored on handling. It ends in an abrupt bulb which generally has a sharp rim standing up around it, forming a sort of cup, called poison cup or volva. This poison cud is usually deeply buried in the soil, so that in order to find it it is necessary to dig the plant up. Gills white and remain white, never becoming pink or brown. The ring is white, prominent and is high up on the stalk close to the cap. The ring is attached to the stalk, not loose as in the smooth white mushroom or parasol mushroom. The poison in the Deadly Agaric is phallin. This poison, unfortunately, has no pronounced taste or odor and gives no warning of its presence. Un- fortunately, also, the symptoms of poisoning do not manifest themselves until 9 to 14 hours after the fungus IS eaten. There is then considerable ab- dominal pain, and there may be cramps in the legs accompanied by convulsions and even lock-jaw and other tetanic spasms. The pulse is weak and abdominal pain is rapidly followed by vomiting and extreme diarrhoea, the intestmal discharges assum- ing the rice-water condition characteristic of chol- era. These later symptoms persist, generally with- out loss of consciousness until death ensues, which happens in from two to four days. There is no known antidote for phallin. The un- digested portions of the fungus should be removed from the stomach and intestines by methods similar to those suggested under Fly Agaric. If the poison already absorbed is not tco great, it may wear it- self out and the patient recover. Of course, when symptoms of poisoning appear a physician should be sent for immediately. The Destroying Angel (Amanita verna. Bull). Deadly poisonous. This fungus is probably the cause of more cases of mushroom poisoning than any other. (Fig. 3). The plant is pretty, clean, pure white and attrac- tive. It usually occurs in the woods or near them, but may grow in lawns
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