212 



RESEARCHES OX FUNGI 



spore-dischari^c bot^nns. These spaces arc provided for a iiiaxiuiuiii 

 number of gills by the long axes of the latter becoming horizontally 

 outstretched at maturity (Plate 1., Fig. 2; Plate IV., Fig. 25). In 

 order to fix the gills in this position (with their planes vertical), 

 the whole fruit-body must have the necessary rigidity. This is 

 given by the thick flesh. 



In a fruit-body of Coprinus coinatus there is much more gill- 



FlG. 75. — Amanita muacaria. Two fruit-bodies having the P.villiota cainpcstris 

 type of spore-discharge. The gills are horizontally outstretched. The 

 space provided by the stipe beneath the pileus allows air-currents to 

 readily bear away the falling spores. In nature the tops of the pilei. which 

 bear white squamuh\i, are coloured a brilliant red. Photograplied at 

 Sutton Park, Warwickshire, by J. E. Titley. About i natural size. 



surface in |)roporLiou to the whole mass than in a Mushroom. 

 The former, therefore, has solved the problem of developing the 

 maxiuium amount of spore-bearing hymenium with the least 

 possible expenditure of fruit-body substance and energy, much 

 more successfully than the hitler (cf. Plate I., Figs. 1 and 2). 



The Coprinus has such extremely thin flesh to its pileus that 

 it would be mechanically impossible for it to sup})ort its gills at 

 maturity with their long axes in the horizontal position. Associated 



