374 . _CRYPTOGAMIA. 
curtain. After these vanish, the plant continues to 
until it scatters its seeds, and then it dies, ieee 
We learn from these observations, that the full expan- 
sion of the pileus indicates the maturity of the seeds, and 
that the fructification is performed previous to the rupture — 
of the curtain. eee 
On examining the curtains and the rings of different 
Agarics and Boleti, I have always found the above-men- 
tioned globules on their upper or inner surface. In some 
of the yellow Agarics, they are so numerous on the upper — 
surface, as to stain the fingers when touched, but the under 
side is smooth, and entirely destitute of them, Some few — 
Agarics seem to have only a row of these threads beset 
with globules at the of the Pileus, whilst it is in con- 
tact with the stem, and upon this expansion they shrivel 
and drop off. : : > hte Oe: 
It is true that in many Agarics we neither find curtain 
nor ring, nor these threads at the edge of the pileus; but — 
when this is the case, the threads are placed upon the stem, 
and may readily be —a by examini pe: plant in its 
very young state, before the e of ileus separates — 
from the stem. This Soe tn plates many of the — 
Agarics, the Hydnum imbricatum, and the ogra 
ar Terehy fot ie a in. After the re 
ese 1S expanded, the stem n longer, its upper 
per where the stamens were seated, pt reticulated. 
e seeds of the Boleti are found within the membrane — 
that lines the tubes. , eee 
The stemless Agarics and Boleti present similar ap- — 
ances about the edge, and at the base. I have also 
ound something of the same kind in the Peziza cyathoides, — 
whose seeds appear to be inclosed in a kind of pod ; and 
likewise in one or more of the Lyco ns ; but these 
have not yet been sufficiently examined. = 
Whether the succulent vessels in the — fgg 
or the surface of the gills, or the mouths of tubes bey | | 
or be not, styles ad summits ; or whether they are @- 
for any other purpose, I shall not determine. 2 
‘It is, however, sufficiently evident, that the Aga — 
and the Boleti, are vegetables, and that they bear theit - 
stamens and pistils on the same plant. (Hedwig-) | 
: For the practical purposes of investigation, It IS there= 
fore evident, that the minutia of the fructification ca? 
avail us but little, eae 
