t; convex, then depressed,
dry unpolished; margin even, sometimes cracked and scaly, not striated.

The gills are white, broad, principally even, occasionally forked, very
brittle, rounded, somewhat crowded, connected by veins, sometimes red on
the edge, especially near the margin.

The stem is solid, white, usually stained and streaked with pink,
compact, even.

The surface is dull, as with a fine dust or plum-like bloom, and thus
without polish. Often times the surface will appear almost velvety. The
tints of the flesh and the gills will be found uniform. The plant when
raw is sweet and nut-like to the taste. This is a beautiful species, the
color being averaged under the general hue of dark, subdued red,
inclining to maroon. It is simply delicious when properly cooked. Found
in woods from July to September.

_Russula cyanoxantha. Fr._

THE BLUE AND YELLOW RUSSULA. EDIBLE.

Cyanoxantha, from two Greek words, blue and yellow, referring to color
of the plant.

The pileus is quite variable as to color, ranging from lilac or purplish
to greenish; disk yellowish, margin bluish or livid-purple; convex, then
plane, depressed in center; margin faintly striate, sometimes wrinkled.

The gills are rounded behind, connected by veins, forked, white,
slightly crowded.

The stem is solid, spongy, stuffed, hollow when old, equal, smooth and
white.

The color of the cap is quite variable but the peculiar combination of
color will assist the student in distinguishing it. It is a beautiful
plant and one of the best of the Russulas to eat. The mushroom-eater
counts himself lucky indeed when he can find a basketful of this species
after "the joiner squirrel" has satisfied his love of this special good
thing. It is quite common in woods from August to October.

_Russula vesca. Fr._

THE EDIBLE RUSSULA. EDIBLE.

Vesca from vesco, to feed. The pileus is from two to three inches broad;
red-flesh-color, disk darker; fleshy; firm; convex, with a slight
depression in the center, then funnel-shaped; slightly wrinkled; margin
even, or remotely striate.

Gills adnate, rather crowded, unequal, forked, and white.

The stem is firm, solid, sometimes peculiarly reticulated, tapering at
the base. The spores are globose, spiny, and white. I frequently found
it near Salem, O., in thin chestnut woods and in pastures under such
trees. A mushroom lover will be amply paid for the long tramps if he
finds a basket full of these dainties.