Pileus 2.5–4 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 6 lines thick.

Thick woods. Ohio, Morgan.

A shade of yellow sometimes appears beneath the brown of the pileus, and as the plants grow old the pileus becomes blackish, glabrous and shining. The stem increases in thickness above and downward. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. badi´ceps Pk.—badius, bay and head. (Plate CXVI, p. 420.) Pileus firm, convex or somewhat centrally depressed when mature, dry, velvety, obliquely truncate on the margin, bay-red or dark-maroon color. Flesh white unchangeable, taste and odor mild, sweet, suggestive of molasses. Tubes plane, adnate, white or whitish, becoming dingy with age, the mouths minute. Stem equal or slightly swollen in the middle, radicating, glabrous, solid, brownish.

Pileus 4–8 cm. broad. Stem 4–5 cm. long, 1.5–3 cm. thick.

Oak woods. West Philadelphia, Pa. August and September. Charles McIlvaine.

The truncate or beveled margin of the pileus is a striking feature in this species. It is about 4 mm. broad and as even as if cut with a knife. Sometimes the surface of the stem ruptures transversely just below the top, the liberated shreds above curling upward against the tubes and those below curving outward and downward. In mature plants brownish spots appear in the flesh of the pileus. “When cooked it is of high flavor and tender as kidney,” C. McIlvaine. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, January 27, 1900.

Laceri´pedes—lacerated stem.

Stem elongated, coarsely pitted or deeply and lacunosely reticulated in small hollows, the ridges somewhat intumescent in wet weather and more or less lacerated, giving a rough or shaggy appearance to the stem.

The species of this tribe are few, very closely allied and so far as known are peculiar to this country.

B. Rus´selli Frost—Russell’s Boletus. (Plate CXVIII, fig. 2, p. 436.) Pileus thick, hemispherical or convex, dry, covered with downy scales or bundles of red hairs, yellowish beneath the tomentum, often cracked in areas. Flesh yellowish, unchangeable. Tubes subadnate, often depressed around the stem, rather large, dingy-yellow or yellowish-green. Stem very long, equal or tapering upward, roughened by the lacerated margins of the reticular depressions, red or brownish-red. Spores olive-brown, 18–22×8–10µ.

Pileus 1.5–4 in. broad. Stem 3–7 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

This is distinguished from the other species by the dry squamulose pileus and the color of the stem. The latter is sometimes curved at the base. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. Russelli occurs in the West Virginia mountains, where I found and ate it in August, 1883. Though solitary in its method of growth, it is frequent in many parts of Pennsylvania, among leaves in mixed woods. August to October.

Taste when raw, sweet, mild. Cooked it is rather soft, tasty. Tubes and stem should be removed.

B. Mor´gani Pk. Pileus convex, soft, glabrous viscid, red or yellow, or red fading to yellow on the margin. Flesh whitish tinged with red and yellow, unchangeable. Tubes convex, depressed around the stem, rather long and large, bright-yellow becoming greenish-yellow. Stem elongated, tapering upward, pitted with long, narrow depressions, yellow, red in the depressions, colored within like the flesh of the pileus. Spores olive-brown, 18–22µ long, about half as broad.

Pileus 1.5–2.5 in. broad. Stem 3–5 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Rocky hillsides in woods of deciduous trees. Kentucky, Morgan.

In wet weather the anastomosing ridges of the stem swell and become broadly winged, thereby giving the stem a peculiar lacerated appearance. The glabrous viscid pileus and the coloration of the stem distinguish the species. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. Morgani is found in like localities with B. Russelli. Excepting in its smooth, viscid cap and whitish flesh, it closely resembles the latter. The ridges in the stems of both species swell when moist.

Its edible qualities are the same as B. Russelli.

B. Be´tula Schw.—birch. Pileus convex, viscose and shining in wet weather, tessellately cracked and reticulated, orange-fawn color, rather small. Flesh yellowish-white. Tubes separating, rather large, yellow, almost like those of B. subtomentosus but not greenish. Stem long, attenuated downward, everywhere covered with a deciduous reticulated bark two lines high and separating like the bark of birches, pale-yellow without and within.

Pileus 1.5 in. broad. Stem 5–6 in. long.

Ligneous earth. North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania, Schweinitz. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

During several seasons I found B. Betula in Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia.

Edible qualities good.

Calo´podes. Gr—beautiful; Gr—feet.

Stem stout, at first bulbous, typically venose-reticulated with veins. Tubes adnate, their mouths not reddish.

The reticulate stem and adnate tubes of one color distinguish the species of this tribe. In the Luridi the mouths of the tubes are differently colored, and in the closely related Edules the tubes are more or less depressed around the stem or sub-free, and their pores are commonly stuffed when young. Fries did not admit species with whitish tubes into this tribe, but we have done so in those cases in which this was the only character to exclude them.

B. specio´sus Frost—handsome. Pileus at first very thick, subglobose, compact, then softer, convex, glabrous or nearly so, red. Flesh pale-yellow or bright lemon-yellow, changing to blue where wounded. Tubes adnate, small, subrotund, plane or but slightly depressed around the stem, bright lemon-yellow, becoming dingy-yellow with age, changing to blue where wounded. Stem stout, subequal or somewhat bulbous, reticulated, bright lemon-yellow without and within, sometimes reddish at the base. Spores oblong-fusiform, pale ochraceous-brown, 10–12.5×4–5µ.

Pileus 3–7 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 10–24 lines thick.

Thin woods. New England, Frost; New York, Peck.

This is a very beautiful Boletus. When young the whole plant except the surface of the pileus is of a vivid lemon-yellow color. Wounds quickly change to green, then to blue. The color of the pileus approaches closely to solferino. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Caps of specimens found in mixed woods at Mt. Gretna, Pa., were minutely areolate when old. Stems yellow at top and with purplish red over the bright yellow toward the bulbous base, solid, bright yellow within.

Stems and caps are edible and rank high in flavor and texture.

B. illu´dens Pk.—deceiving. (Plate CXVIII, fig. 3, p. 436.) Pileus convex, dry, subglabrous, yellowish-brown or grayish-brown, sometimes tinged with red, especially in the center. Flesh pallid or yellowish. Tubes bright yellow, plane or somewhat convex when old, adnate, their mouths angular or subrotund, often larger near the stem. Stem nearly equal, sometimes abruptly pointed at the base, glabrous, pallid or yellowish, coarsely reticulated either wholly or at the top only. Spores oblong or subfusiform, yellowish-brown tinged with green, 11–12.5×4–5µ.

Pileus 1.5–3 in. broad. Stem 1.5–2.5 in. long, 3–5 lines thick.

Woods and copses. Port Jefferson. July. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Found in plenty at Mt. Gretna, Pa., September, 1898. On ground and old stumps in mixed woods. Identified by Professor Peck.

Taste and smell pleasant. Cooked as egg-plant it is one of the best. Remove tubes.

B. Peck´ii Frost—after C.H. Peck. Pileus convex, firm, dry, subglabrous, red, fading to yellowish-red or buff-brown with age, the margin usually retaining its red color longer than the disk. Tubes adnate or slightly decurrent, nearly plane, yellow, changing to blue where wounded. Stem equal or subventricose, reticulated, red, yellow at the top. Spores oblong, pale ochraceous-brown, 9–12×4–5µ.

Var. læ´vipes. Stem reticulated above, even below.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Woods of frondose trees. New York, Peck. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. cal´opus Fr. Gr—beautiful; Gr—foot. Pileus globose, then convex, unpolished, subtomentose, olivaceous. Flesh pallid, slightly changing to blue when wounded. Tubes adnate, their mouths minute, angular, yellow. Stem firm, conical, then elongated and subequal, reticulated, wholly scarlet or at the apex only, sometimes colored like the pileus toward the base. Spores fusiform, yellowish-brown, 7–8×3–4µ.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem longer than the diameter of the pileus.

Woods. North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania, Schweinitz; New England, Sprague, Bennett. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. orna´tipes Pk.—ornate-stem. (Boletus retipes, Rep. 23.) Pileus convex, firm, dry, glabrous or very minutely tomentose, grayish-brown or yellowish-brown. Flesh yellow or pale-yellow. Tubes adnate, plane, or concave, rarely convex, the mouths small or medium size, clear-yellow. Stem firm, subequal, distinctly and beautifully reticulated, yellow without and within. Spores oblong, ochraceous-brown, 12–16×4–5µ.

Pileus 2–5 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Thin woods and open places. New York, Peck.

The color of the tubes becomes darker with age, but it does not change to blue where wounded. The species is related to the next following one with which it has sometimes been confused, but from which it is clearly distinct. The color of the spores is quite dark and approaches snuff-brown. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Edible. Good.

B. re´tipes B. and C.—reticulate stem. Pileus convex, dry, powdered with yellow, sometimes rivulose or cracked in areas. Tubes adnate, yellow. Stem subequal, cespitose, reticulate to the base, pulverulent below. Spores greenish-ochraceous, 12–15×4–5µ.

Pileus 1.5–2 in. broad. Stem 2 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

The tufted mode of growth, pulverulent pileus and paler-colored spores separate this species from the preceding one. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

West Virginia, 1882–1885. Mt. Gretna, Pa.; New Jersey, McIlvaine.

The caps, alone, of this species, are desirable, the stems not cooking well. Its way of bunching itself gratifies the collector, as do its flavor and quality.

B. pa´chypus Fr. Gr—thick-footed. Pileus convex, subtomentose, brownish or pale tan-color. Flesh thick, whitish, changing slightly to blue. Tubes rather long, somewhat depressed around the stem, their mouths round, pale-yellow, at length tinged with green. Stem thick, firm, reticulated, at first ovate-bulbous, then elongated, equal, variegated with red and pale-yellow. Spores large, ovate, pale yellowish-ochraceous, 12.5–14×5–6µ.

Pileus 4–8 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long.

Woods, either of pine or beech.

This species is noted for its thick, stout stem, which sometimes attains a diameter of more than two inches. It approaches the Edules in habit, but according to Gillet it is poisonous, or at least to be suspected, has a penetrating unpleasant odor and a somewhat nauseous flavor. He also describes the pores as at first whitish. The stem is sometimes intensely blood-red. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

A common species in West Virginia mountains, 1881–1885, in beech groves. August to frost. It is rare in the pines of New Jersey, though I have found it there. Like B. felleus, its size and attractiveness induce the finder to over and over again try cooking it, hoping the discovery of a successful way to rid it of its unpleasantness. I have never succeeded. It is not poisonous.

B. rimosel´lus Pk.—cracked. Pileus broadly convex, flat or irregular, glabrous, tessellately cracked, dark-brown. Flesh whitish. Tubes adnate or sinuately decurrent, somewhat depressed around the stem, pale-yellow, becoming darker or brownish with age. Stem tapering upward, broadly reticulated with brown veins, yellowish-white. Spores fusiform, 15–17.5×5–6µ.

Pileus 3–5 in. broad. Stem 3–4 in. long, 6–9 lines thick.

Mixed woods. North Carolina, C.J. Curtis.

I have described this species from the notes and a single dried specimen sent me by Mr. Curtis. More extended observation may require some modification of the description. The color of the spores is described as brown. They are remarkable for their size. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. modes´tus Pk.—modest. Pileus convex or nearly plane, often irregular, firm, dry, very minutely tomentose, yellowish-brown. Flesh gray or pinkish-gray. Tubes nearly plane, adnate or subdecurrent, the mouths angular, pale-ochraceous. Stem equal, reticulated, brown. Spores elliptical, 10×5µ.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 2–4 lines thick.

Grassy ground in thin woods. New York, Peck.

Miss Banning finds in Maryland what appears to be a form of this species in which the part of the hymenium near the stem consists of lamellæ, the rest of tubes. The species needs further investigation. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. Cur´tisii Berk.—after Dr. Curtis. Pileus hemispherical or convex, viscose, golden-yellow. Tubes depressed around the stem, nearly free, their mouths umber, at length tawny. Stem slender, attenuated upward, polished, reticulated, straw-colored. Spores ferruginous, subelliptical, slightly attenuated at each end.

Pileus 1 in. or more broad. Stem 2 in. long, 2–3 lines thick.

Pine woods. North and South Carolina, Curtis.

In the original description the stem of this species is said to be hollow. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. gri´seus Frost—gray. Pileus broadly convex, firm, dry, subglabrous, gray or grayish-black. Flesh whitish or gray. Tubes adnate or slightly depressed around the stem, nearly plane, their mouths small, subrotund, white or whitish. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, distinctly reticulated, whitish or yellowish, sometimes reddish toward the base. Spores ochraceous-brown, 10–14×4–5µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Thin woods and open places. New York, Peck.

Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. flexuos´ipes Pk.—flexuous stem. Pileus convex or plane, even, subtomentose, pale-brown. Flesh white, unchangeable, the cuticle separable. Tubes long, convex, decurrent, white or whitish, becoming brownish with age. Stem flexuous, solid, reticulated, whitish or pallid, changing to brown where bruised. Spores 7.5–10×4µ.

Pileus 3–4 in. broad. Stem 4–6 in. long, 8–15 lines thick.

Mixed woods. North Carolina, C.J. Curtis. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. ferrugi´neus Frost—rust color. Pileus convex, soft, subtomentose, dark reddish-brown. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes generally adnate, dingy-white, their mouths stained brown by the spores. Stem short, reticulated, dark-brown. Spores 10–13×6µ.

Pileus 3–6 in. broad.

Borders of woods. New England, Frost. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Alabama, 1897.

B. rubigino´sus Fr.—rusty. Pileus convex, soft, pubescent, soon bare, brownish-rust color. Flesh subspongy, white, unchangeable. Tubes adnate, their mouths unequal, white. Stem firm, stout, reticulated, at first whitish or pallid, then yellowish, subcinereous or yellowish-olivaceous where touched.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 1 in. thick.

Woods. North Carolina, Curtis.

Although apparently distinct, this and the two preceding species are not sufficiently well known. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. tabaci´nus Und. Pileus fleshy, convex or nearly plane, subglabrous, often cracked in areas, tawny-brown. Flesh at maturity soft and similarly colored. Tubes concave or nearly plane, depressed around the stem, their mouths small, angular, colored like the pileus. Stem subequal, solid, reticulated, concolorous. Spores oblong or subfusiform, 12.5–14×5µ. Pileus 2.5–5 in. broad. Stem 1.5–3 in. long, 6–10 lines thick.

Along road-sides. Alabama. May. Underwood.

The species is referable to the section Calopodes, but the tubes are more or less depressed about the stem. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 23, No. 10.

Edu´les—edulis, edible.

Tubes subfree, rounded-depressed around the stem, their mouths not at first reddish, but commonly white-stuffed. Stem stout, bulbous as in the Luridi but not, with a few exceptions, reticulate nor dotted with pointed scales nor red. Flesh scarcely changeable. Taste pleasant.

This tribe is not sharply limited but partakes to some extent of the characters of Calopodes and Luridi. From the former its nearly free and at first white-stuffed tubes and its generally even stem separate it, from the latter its tubes with concolorous mouths or at least with mouths not red or reddish when young will distinguish it. The species are generally of large or medium size and noted for their esculent qualities.

Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. sep´arans Pk. (Plate CXVIII, fig. 1, p. 436.) Pileus convex, thick, glabrous, subshining, often pitted, pitted or corrugated, brownish-red or dull-lilac, sometimes fading to yellowish on the margin. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes at first nearly plane, adnate, white and stuffed, then convex, depressed around the stem, ochraceous-yellow or brownish-yellow and sometimes separating from the stem by the expansion of the pileus. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, reticulated either wholly or in the upper part only, colored like the pileus or a little paler, sometimes slightly furfuraceous. Spores subfusiform, brownish-ochraceous, 12–15×5–6µ.

Pileus 3–6 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 6–12 lines thick.

Thin grassy woods. New York, Peck. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

West Virginia. September, 1881. New Jersey and Pennsylvania. October, 1887, McIlvaine. Indiana, October, 1898. Dr. J.R. Weist, H.I. Miller.

One of the handsomest of Boleti. It varies greatly in size and color, but traces of purple or lilac are always detectable. The reticulations upon the stem are often obscure, especially in young specimens.

It is pleasant when raw, and quite equal to any Boletus when cooked.

B. edu´lis Bull.—edulis, edible. (Plate CXVIII, fig. 5, p. 436.) Pileus convex or nearly plane, glabrous, moist, at first compact, then soft, variable in color, grayish-red, brownish-red or tawny-brown, often paler on the margin. Flesh white or yellowish, reddish beneath the cuticle. Tubes convex, nearly free, long, minute, round, white, then yellow and greenish. Stem short or long, straight or flexuous, subequal or bulbous, stout, more or less reticulate, especially above, whitish, pallid or brownish. Spores oblong-fusiform, 12–15×4–5µ.

Var. cla´vipes. Plate CXIX. Stem tapering upward from an enlarged base, everywhere reticulated.

Pileus 4–6 in. broad. Stem 2–6 in. long, 6–18 lines thick.

Woods and open places. Not rare. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Indiana, H.I. Miller, Dr. J.R. Weist; New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, McIlvaine.

Some species of fungi appear to have that prize of Fairyland—the Wishing Cap—and by its power be able to take on any form they please. Boletus edulis is one of them. Its variableness is puzzling. It is eaten everywhere where found and is a favorite. Carefully sliced, dried and kept where safe from mold it may be prepared for the table at any season.

B. edulis Bull.—Var. clavipes Pk. (Plate CXIX, fig. 1, p. 445.) Pileus fleshy, convex, glabrous, grayish-red, bay-red or chestnut-color. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes at first concave or nearly plane, white and stuffed, then convex, slightly depressed around the stem, ochraceous yellow. Stem mostly obclavate (inversely club-shaped) and reticulate to the base. Spores oblong-fusiform, 12–15×4–5µ.

The club-stemmed Boletus is so closely related to the edible Boletus and so closely connected by the intermediate forms that it seems to be only a variety of it, but one worthy of illustration. It differs in the more uniform color of the cap, in having the tubes less depressed around the stem and less tinted with green when mature, and in having the stem more club-shape and commonly reticulated to the base. The lower reticulations are usually coarser but less permanent than the upper. The cap is more highly colored when young and is apt to become paler with age, but the margin does not become paler than the central part, as it so often does in the edible Boletus. Individuals sometimes occur in which the stem is nearly cylindric and reticulated only on the upper part. These connect so closely with the edible Boletus that we have considered this to be a mere variety of it. In size and in edible qualities it is very similar to that species. Peck, 51st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Same in quality as B. edulis.

B. vari´ipes Pk.—variable stem. Pileus convex or nearly plane, thick, soft, dry, scaly, pointed scaly or minutely tomentose, grayish or pale grayish-brown, sometimes tinged with yellow or ochraceous. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes convex or nearly plane, slightly depressed around the stem, at first white, then greenish-yellow, their mouths small, subrotund, ochraceous, stuffed when young. Stem firm, reticulated, whitish or pallid. Spores oblong-fusiform, ochraceous-brown tinged with green, 12–15×5µ. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. August, 1898. Stem slightly reticulated at top, indistinctly striate below. Smell and taste strong, like B. felleus, but sweetish, not bitter. When tubes are removed and cap fried it is excellent.

Var. al´bipes. Stem whitish, wholly reticulated, the reticulations coarser near the base. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. August, 1898. Taste slightly acrid, smell slight. Excellent.

Var. pallid´ipes. Stem pallid, slightly furfuraceous, even or obscurely reticulated toward the base, distinctly reticulated above. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Satiny, shining. Taste slightly acrid, smell slight. Excellent.

Var. tenu´ipes. Stem slender, elongated. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. August, 1898, on decaying chestnut stump and on ground. Excellent. McIlvaine.

This species, with its varieties, grows in mixed woods, the density of which has much to do with its general appearance. Individuals growing where the sun plays upon them, show the reticulations plainer than those maturing in the shade. The tubes should be removed before cooking. The caps are best fried.

B. exi´mius Pk.—select. Pileus at first very compact, subglobose or hemispherical, subpruinose, purplish-brown or chocolate color, sometimes with a faint tinge of lilac, becoming convex, soft, smoky-red or pale-chestnut. Flesh grayish or reddish-white. Tubes at first concave or nearly plane, stuffed, colored nearly like the pileus, becoming paler with age and depressed around the stem, their mouths minute, rotund. Stem stout, generally short, equal or tapering upward, abruptly narrowed at the base, minutely branny, colored like or a little paler than the pileus, purplish-gray within. Spores subferruginous, 12.5–15×5–6µ.

Pileus 3–10 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 6–12 lines thick.

Woods and their borders. New England, Frost; New York, Peck. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

In mixed woods and in new clearings near Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia, Pa. McIlvaine.

A patch of it is treasure trove.

B. lepro´sus Pk.—leprous. Pileus very convex, glabrous, soft like kid, cinereous-yellowish-drab or pale-brown, slowly changing to whitish where bruised, the cuticle separable. Flesh white, changing to yellowish. Tubes yellow or brownish-yellow, changing to greenish where wounded, plane, depressed around the stem, short, small, stuffed when young. Stem solid, enlarged at the top, lemon-yellow. Spores oblong-fusiform, 12.5–15×5µ.

Pileus 4–6 in. broad. Stem 2 in. long, 1 in. thick.

Mixed woods. North Carolina, C.J. Curtis.

This plant is remarkable for the whitish or leprous spots which the pileus assumes, even from being handled, and for the change in the color of the flesh and tubes. The stem is very thick at the top but tapers downward. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. cras´sipes Pk.—thick-footed. (Plate CXVI, fig. 5, p. 420.) Pileus convex or centrally depressed, firm, dry, velvety, brown tinged with yellow, the wavy or lobed involute margin extending beyond the tubes. Flesh lemon-yellow, unchangeable, taste sweet, odor like that of yeast. Tubes rather short, depressed around the stem, almost free, yellowish mottled with brown, the mouths minute, stuffed when young. Stem stout, thick, sometimes swollen in the middle and sometimes bulbous, beautifully reticulated but the reticulations sometimes disappearing with age, orange-yellow tinged with brown. Flesh of a brighter yellow than that of the pileus.

Pileus 5–10 cm. broad. Stem 6–8 cm. long, 2.5–3.5 cm. thick.

Oak woods. Mt. Gretna, Pa. August and September. McIlvaine.

The thick, beautifully reticulated stem, the deep velvety brown color of the pileus and the yellow color of the flesh serve to distinguish this species. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 27, January, 1900.

It is one of the best edible mushrooms. I have also found it in New Jersey.

Lu´ridi.

Stratum of tubes rounded toward the stem and free, their mouths at first closed and red. Pileus compact, then soft, cushion-shaped, the flesh juicy, changeable. Stem stout, at first short, bulbiform, then elongated and subequal, subreticulated or dotted.

Growing especially in frondose woods. Very poisonous.

In this tribe the tubes and their mouths are differently colored, the latter being red or some shade of red. By this character the species are easily distinguished from those of other tribes.

All authors, up to this date, agree in stating that the species within this series are poisonous. Experiments made by Smiedeberg and Koppe with Boletus Satanus developed symptoms closely resembling poisoning by Amanitæ. Kobert, who made analysis of B. luridus, shows that it contains muscarine, which is one of the most deadly poisons. Such a mass of evidence commands respect. It is urged upon finders of these species to either leave them alone or test them in minute quantities until they have established their ability to eat them without injury.

I have taken special pains to establish the edibility of B. Satanus and B. luridus. For fifteen years I have eaten them in quantity when opportunity afforded, in West Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. My family, and my friends in widely separated localities, have partaken freely of them many times and without discomfort. They are remarkably fine eating. The same can be said of B. alveolatus, B. purpureus, B. subvelutipes. I have not seen the other species of this tribe.

I have determined so many of the reputed poisonous species to be edible, that unless positively authenticated, I do not accept repute as truth, but carefully test suspicious species upon myself. When sure there is no danger, I as carefully have them tested by my numerous under-tasters—male and female.

B. Sa´tanus Lenz.—Satanic. Pileus convex, glabrous, somewhat gluey, brownish-yellow or whitish. Flesh whitish, becoming reddish or violaceous where wounded. Tubes free, yellow, their mouths bright red becoming orange-colored with age. Stem thick, ovate-ventricose, marked above with red reticulations. Spores 12×5µ.

Pileus 3–8 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long.

Woods. Rare. North Carolina, Curtis; New York, Peck; California, H. and M., N.J. Ellis.

Though mild to the taste, this Boletus is said to be very poisonous, a character suggestive of the specific name. Fries describes the color of the spores as earthy-yellow; Smith as rich brown. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.

Boletus Satanus is sometimes plentiful in spots. Where it luxuriates it is a rich decoration to the ground, and earth upon upturned-roots upon which it often grows. It does not live long after reaching maturity, but decomposes into a putrescent mass.

Its reputation rivals that of the original possessor of its name. But old proverb sayeth that even “The Devil is not as black as he is painted.” See remarks heading Luridi.

B. alveola´tus B. and C. Pileus convex, glabrous, shining, bright crimson or maroon-color, sometimes paler and varied with patches of yellow. Flesh firm, white, changing to blue where wounded. Tubes adnate, subdecurrent, yellow with maroon-colored mouths, the hymenial surface uneven with irregular alveolar depressions. Stem very rough with the margins of rather coarse subreticular depressions, the reticulations bright-red above with yellow stains. Spores yellowish-brown, 12.5–15×4–5µ.

Pileus 3–6 in. broad. Stem 3–4 in. long, 9 lines thick.

Damp woods. New England, Frost. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

West Virginia mountains, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, in mixed woods and on banks of streams. McIlvaine.

B. alveolatus appears to be more generally distributed than B. Satanus. It is not as clannish, though occasionally three or four are found growing together. When growing from the banks of creeks, or between the roots of beech and other trees in low places, it is often deformed in cap and stem. The texture is firm, close and the taste is very pleasant. It botanically takes its place in this suspected series. I consider it one of the best Boleti. See remarks heading Luridi.

B. lu´ridus Schaeff.—lurid in color. Pileus convex, tomentose, brown-olivaceous, then somewhat viscose, sooty. Flesh yellow, changing to blue where wounded. Tubes free, yellow, becoming greenish, their mouths round, vermilion, becoming orange. Stem stout, vermilion, somewhat orange at the top, reticulate or punctate. Spores greenish-gray, 15×9.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long.

The lurid Boletus, though pleasant to the taste, is reputed very poisonous. Boletus rubeolarius Pers., having a short bulbous scarcely reticulated stem, is regarded as a variety of this species. The red-stemmed Boletus, B. erythropus Pers., is also indicated as a variety of it by Fries. It is smaller than B. luridus, has a brown or reddish-brown pileus and a slender cylindrical stem, not reticulated, but dotted with squamules. It has been reported from California by Harkness and Moore. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Var. erythropus received from Dr. J.W. Harshberger, Philadelphia, May, 1896.

Often shining as if varnished and very handsome. I frequently found it in West Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in mixed woods among leaves. Its reputation is bad. It is undoubtedly edible by many, and is delicious. The caution heading Luridi should be carefully observed.

B. purpu´reus Fr.—purple. Pileus convex, opaque, dry, somewhat velvety, purplish-red. Flesh in the young plant only becoming blue, then dark-yellow. Tubes nearly free, yellow or greenish-yellow, their mouths minute, purple-orange, changing to blue where wounded. Stem stout, firm, adorned with purple veins or dots, sometimes reticulated at the apex only, yellow, reddish within, especially at the base. Spores greenish-brown, 10–12×5–6µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 6–8 lines thick.

Woods. North Carolina, Curtis; New York, Peck; Minnesota, Johnson. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

West Virginia, Mt. Gretna, Pa., McIlvaine.

At Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1897–1898, B. purpureus was common in oak and chestnut woods. It is a showy species, easily distinguished by its velvety cap. In young specimens the stem is robust, then tapering upward. When old the cap loses its rich color toward the margin, becoming yellowish. The flesh is thick, firm and of excellent flavor. It undoubtedly proved itself delicious and harmless to many eating it.

B. vermiculo´sus Pk.—wormy. Pileus broadly convex, thick, firm, dry, glabrous, or very minutely tomentose, brown, yellowish-brown or grayish-brown, sometimes tinged with red. Flesh white or whitish, quickly changing to blue where wounded. Tubes plane or slightly convex, nearly free, yellow, their mouths small, round, brownish-orange, becoming darker or blackish with age, changing promptly to blue where wounded. Stem subequal, firm, even, paler than the pileus. Spores ochraceous-brown, 10–12×4–5µ.

Var. Spra´guei. (Boletus Spraguei Frost, Bull. Buff. Soc., p. 102.) Stem yellow above, minutely velvety below.

Pileus 3–5 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 4–10 lines thick.

Woods. New York, Peck; Ohio, Morgan; New England, Frost.

The species is separated from B. luridus by its dry pileus, white flesh, even stem, which is neither reticulated nor dotted, and by its smaller spores. I can not distinguish specimens of B. Spraguei received from Mr. Frost, from this species. The name is scarcely appropriate, for specimens are not always infested by larvæ. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

I have not seen this species, therefore, have not tested it. CAUTION.

B. subvelu´tipes Pk.—velvety-stem. Pileus convex, firm, subglabrous, yellowish-brown or reddish-brown. Flesh whitish, both it and the tubes changing to blue where wounded. Tubes plane or slightly convex, nearly free, yellowish, their mouths small, brownish-red. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, firm, even, somewhat pruinose above, velvety with a hairy tomentum toward the base, yellow at the top, reddish-brown below, varied with red and yellow within. Spores 15–18×5–6µ.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Woods. New York, Peck.

This species resembles the preceding one in general appearance, but it is very distinct by its much longer spores and by the velvety hairiness toward the base of the stem. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Boletus subvelutipes is common in some localities in Pennsylvania, especially on the Springton Hills, in chestnut and oak woods. I have frequently eaten it and found it excellent. Others should carefully test it.

B. fir´mus Frost—firm. Pileus convex, very firm, slightly tomentose, gray, often pitted. Flesh yellowish or deep-yellow, changing to blue where wounded. Tubes adnate, deeply arcuate, unequal, yellow, their mouths tinged with red. Stem solid, hard, very finely reticulated, yellowish, reddish at the base. Spores 13×3µ.

Pileus 2.5–4 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long.

Rich moist wood. New England, Frost.

Apparently a well-marked and very distinct species. According to the author, it is readily distinguished by its tenacity and generally distorted growth. I have not seen it nor the next. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Professor Peck’s measurement of spores, 50th Report, New York State Botanist, is 13µ long, 6µ wide.

B. magnis´porus Frost. Pileus convex, firm, tomentose, golden-yellow; tubes scarcely adnate, even, greenish-yellow, their mouths light cinnabar-red. Stem long, slender, yellow above, red below. Spores 15–18×6µ.

Pileus 2.5 to 3.5 in. broad.

Woods and thickets. New England, Frost; Ohio, Morgan. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

I have not recognized it. CAUTION.

B. Fros´tii Russell. Pileus convex, polished, shining, blood-red, the margin thin. Flesh scarcely changing to blue. Tubes nearly free, greenish-yellow, becoming yellowish-brown with age, their mouths blood-red or cinnabar. Stem equal or tapering upward, distinctly reticulated, firm, blood-red. Spores 12.5–15×5µ.

Pileus 3–4 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Grassy places under trees or in thin woods. New England, Frost; New York, Peck; New Jersey, Ellis.

This is a highly colored, beautiful Boletus, but it is not common. The stem sometimes fades with age, and both it and the tubes are apt to lose their color in drying. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

I have not recognized it. CAUTION.

B. Sullivan´tii B. and M. Pileus hemispherical, glabrous, reddish-tawny or brown, brownish when dry, cracked in squares. Tubes free, convex, medium size, angular, longer toward the margin, their mouths reddish. Stem solid, violaceous at the thickened base, red-reticulated at the apex, expanded into the pileus. Spores pallid ochraceous, oblong-fusiform, 10–20µ long.

Pileus 3–4 in. broad. Stem 1.5–3 in. long.

Compact soil. Ohio. Sullivant.

The species is said to be intermediate between Boletus scaber and B. edulis. From the former it differs in its reticulated stem, from the latter, in its larger tubes and from both in its stratum of tubes being remote from the stem. I have not seen it. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. Un´derwoodii Pk. Pileus rather thin, convex, becoming nearly plane, slightly velvety, bright brownish-red, becoming paler with age. Flesh yellow, changing to greenish-blue where wounded. Tubes adnate or slightly decurrent, greenish-yellow, becoming bluish where wounded, their mouths very small, round, cinnabar red, becoming brownish-orange. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, somewhat irregular, solid, yellow without and within. Spores 10–12 x 5µ.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 3–4 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Grassy woods. Auburn, Alabama. July. Underwood.

This species is remarkable for its adnate or subdecurrent tubes, in which it departs from the character of the tribe to which it belongs according to the colors of the tubes. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 24, No. 3.