=Russula lepida= Fr. =Edible.=--This elegant _Russula_ occurs in birch woods or in mixed woods during late summer and autumn. It is 5--8 cm. high, the cap 6--8 cm. broad, and the stem 1--2 cm. in thickness. The =pileus= is fleshy, convex, then expanded, obtuse, not shining, deep red, becoming pale in age, often whitish at the center, silky, in age the surface cracking, the margin blunt and not striate. The =gills= are rounded next the stem, thick, rather crowded, and sometimes forked, white, sometimes red on the edge near the margin of the pileus. The gills are often connected by vein-like elevations over the surface. The =stem= is equal, white or rose color. The taste is mild. =Russula virescens= (Schaeff.) Fr. =Edible.=--This plant grows on the ground in woods or in grassy places in groves from July to September. The stem is short, 2--7 cm. long × 1--2 cm. thick, and the cap is 5--10 cm. broad. The plant is well known by the green color of the pileus and by the surface of the pileus being separated into numerous, quite regular, somewhat angular areas or patches, where the green color is more pronounced. The =pileus= is first rounded, then convex and expanded, and when old somewhat depressed in the center. It is quite firm, dry, greenish, and the surface with numerous angular floccose areas or patches of usually a deeper green. Sometimes the pileus is said to be tinged with yellow. The =gills= are adnate, nearly free from the stem, and crowded. The =stem= is white and firm. The greenish Russula, _Russula virescens_, like a number of other plants, has long been recommended for food, both in Europe and in this country. There are several species of _Russula_ in which the pileus is green, but this species is readily distinguished from them by the greenish floccose patches on the surface of the pileus. =Russula furcata= is a common species in similar situations, with forked gills, and the cap very variable in color, sometimes reddish, purple, purple brown, or in one form green. I know of the _Russula furcata_ having been eaten in rather small quantities, and while in this case no harm resulted the taste was not agreeable. [Illustration: PLATE 40. FIG. 1.--Russula virescens. FIG. 2.--R. alutacea. FIG. 3.--R. lepida. FIG. 4.--R. emetica. FIG. 5.--Yellow Russula. FIG. 6.--R. adusta. Copyright 1900.] =Russula fragilis= (Pers.) Fr.--This plant is very common in damp woods, or during wet weather from July to September. It is a small plant and very fragile, as its name suggests, much more so than most other species. It is 2--4 cm. high, the cap 2--5 cm. broad, and the stem about 1 cm. in thickness.