214 PETOH : THE FUNGI 



begin- a1 the lower edge of the compact white tissue. An in- 

 crease in diameter then takes place a short distance above the 

 base, leaving the well defined narrow foundation observed 

 in the mature agaric, and with the extension of the upper 

 constriction there results the flask-shaped structures of figs. 

 21-23. When the roof of the chamber is reached, the pres- 

 sure of the developing agaric distorts the head to some 

 extent. 



Before the agaric has appeared above ground, the universal 

 veil splits at some distance below the level of the margin of the 

 pileus. and the oval upper structure is carried up above ground 

 by the elongating stem. There is no collar at the point of 

 separation , but the subsequently developed portion of the stalk 

 is white and lacks the cartilaginous covering : it frequently 

 bears horny scales which are obviously part of the universal 

 veil. 



When the agaric first appears above the ground, the cover- 

 ing of the pileus is apparently continuous with the stem, but 

 partial drying causes an outward curl of the lower edge which 

 shows that this at least is free : fig. 11 is a section through an 

 unexpanded agaric : on one side the universal veil is apparently 

 continuous with the stem, but on the other it has a free lower 

 edge. When the pileus expands, a free upper edge is also 

 left. 



The ring thus formed differs widely from the usual agaric 

 ring; it is a thin horny structure with irregularly laciniate edges, 

 usually encircling the stem obliquely and united to it by a 

 narrow band in the middle (figs. 10-13). 



The scales on the stem are of the same horny texture and are 

 evidently part of the same layer (fig. 10). They are composed 

 of modified hyphee as in the outer layer of the young agaric, 

 but the amorphous layer is thinner and the individual hyphffi 

 (partly modified) beneath it are long and straight instead of 

 being crooked and intertwined. The greater part of the 

 dei ived from the oovering of the stalk : part also comes 

 from the oovering of the pileus, and theae two parts are either 



