66 BRITISH EDIBLE FUNGI. 



IX.— WARTED CAPS. 



There are a certain number of fungi of the mush- 

 room kind, which are distinguishable from all the 

 rest, by having raised spots, or warts, or sometimes 

 patches on the surface of the caps, and at the same 

 time a more or less distinct membrane sheathing the 

 base of the stem like a stocking. The explanation 

 of these appearances is found in the fact, that, in 

 the young state, whilst the fungus is a mere ball, and 

 the stem is undeveloped, the whole is enclosed in a 

 close fitting outer membrane, so that it somewhat 

 resembles a small egg. As the stem grows, and 

 lengthens, the outer membrane is torn apart all 

 round, and the upper portion is carried up, adhering 

 to the cap, whilst the lower portion remains at the 

 base of the stem, as a sheath or volva, after the 

 manner of a boot or stocking. During subsequent 

 growth of the cap in all directions, and its expan- 

 sion, the remains of the outer m.embrane, which was 

 carried up, adhering closely to it — crack in all direc- 

 tions, and the fragments attached to the cap, become 

 like whitish patches, or warts, on the surface, in some 

 cases more divided than in others, sometimes very 

 closely adhering to the cap, and then small, at other 

 times loose, and larger, more irregular, and soon fall- 

 ing off. 



