234 



RESEARCHES ON FUNGI 



The shortening of the gills from below upwards in consequence 

 of autodigestion is illustrated in Fig. 97, D to H (p. 232). In the 

 pileus D, the gills are still complete. In the pileus E, about one- 

 fifth of each gill has been destroyed. The zone of spore-discharge 



Fig. 98. — Coprinus sterquilinus. A late stage in the expansion and autodigestion 

 of tiie pileus. Spore-discharge is still very active (c/. Fig. 97, F and G, p. 232). 

 The exhausted peripheral ends of the gills are becoming revolute. The black- 

 ness of the stipe is due to the presence of a black pigment in it and not to the 

 lodgment of spores. From a pure culture on horse dung. Natural size. 



Fig. 99. — Coprinus sterquilinus. A still later stage in the expansion of the pileus 

 (c/. Fig. 97, G and H, p. 232). Spore-discharge is nearly completed. The 

 autodigestion of the gills took place under damp conditions (under a bell-jar). 

 Hence its liquid products have accumulated as drops at the periphery of the 

 pileus ; but they are out of the way of the stream of spores still falling. The 

 rim of the pileus is still more revolute. The gills are now almost completely 

 destroyed but are still discharging spores from their edges. Natural size. 



is just above the gill-edge region indicated by the letter a. Broken 

 lines show the shape and position of the gills just after spore-dis- 

 charge began. The first spores to be liberated were set free just 

 above the gill-edge at s. The pileus has evidently expanded con- 

 siderably since spore-discharge began. In the pileus F, about 



