Fia. 158. — Coprinus micaceus. Seven stages of development in the fruit-body, 

 as seen in vertical sections. A, very young; spores developing but unpigmented, 

 hence gills are white. B, stipe elongating ; spores ripening from below upwards 

 on the gills. C, pileus is expanding ; the spores are still ripening from below upwards 

 on the gills ; spore-discharge from the lower edges of the gills and autodigestion have 

 begun ; the carrying off of the spores by a gentle movement of the air is shown 

 diagrammatically. D, stipe still elongating ; spore-discharge from the gill-edges 

 has attained its maximum ; the gills have become reduced by autodigestion to about 

 two-thirds their original size; spores are still ripening near the tops of the gills 

 from below upwards. E, spore -discharge still at the maximum ; the spores are now 

 fully pigmented all over the surface of the gills ; the gills have become reduced by 

 autodigestion to about one-half their original size. F, spore-discharge is declining ; 

 the gills have become reduced to about one-twelfth their original size ; the exhausted 

 rim of the pileus is revolute and therefore does not hinder the liberation of the 

 spores. G, a fruit-body which has just ceased to shed spores ; the gills are reduced 

 to mere ridges ; the rim of the pileus is sharply revolute. In F and G, the stipes 

 have attained their maximum length. Natural size. 



