156 ] The Classification of Lower Organisms 



the spores are ripe, the spongy body grows, so to speak, by unfolding, and becomes, 

 it may be within an hour, a stalk as much as 15 cm. tall. This happens usually during 

 the night or at dawn, and is not commonly observed. The growing stalk carries the 

 basidium-bearing structure into the air, bursting the peridium, which remains as a 

 cup about the base, and exposing the spores in a mass of jelly which is of an odor 

 repulsive to man but attractive to carrion-seeking insects. The latter are used as 

 agents of dissemination. 



