=Russula emetica=
=Pileus:= Expansion two to four inches; color varying
from pale bright pink to deep scarlet; very smooth.
=Gills:= Broad (in section), mostly equal in length,
and continuous from edge of cap to stem; not
crowded; white.
=Stem:= White or pinkish.
=Spores:= White, like all Russulæ.
=Taste:= Hot and peppery.
=Habitat:= Woods, with other Russulæ.
=Season:= July-September.
NOTE.--While, for conservative reasons, the poisonous reputation
of this species is here perpetuated, it is quite probable that
such condemnation is unwarranted, except as to the _raw_ mushroom.
The peppery tang and demoralizing powers are now claimed to be
dissipated in cooking, and the _Emetica_ will doubtless soon be
more generally included with its congeners among the esculents,
thus bringing the entire genus _Russula_ into the friendly group.
Captain Charles McIlvaine is largely responsible for this
conversion in favor of _Emetica_. His individual experiments
warrant him in pronouncing this species "as good as the rest"
when cooked. Others of the writer's acquaintance, following his
example, echo his opinion.