1906-1907.] A Few Remarks on Mushroom Phenomena. 343 



of cap or pileus, the outer covering being continuous over all. 

 A longitudinal section, however, shows the incipient gills by a 

 slight crescent-shaped opening on each side. As the mush- 

 room grows larger, this opening distends until the outer skin 

 bursts at the thinnest part, leaving an annulus or ring, and 

 we have now the mushroom fully formed with its stem and 

 cap. The collar is generally present on the Agarics, and, 

 with some few exceptions, the cap and stem are one continu- 

 ous whole ; but the stem is more loose in substance than the 

 cap, and in some cases hollow. 



The spores of the Agaric are usually grouped in fours, each 

 growing on a fine stem or sterigma rising from a thicker stalk 

 or basidium. Along with these groups of basidia, other bodies 

 termed cystidia are to be found. They are of unknown func- 

 tion. While only one spore appears at a time on the spicule, 

 each one is followed by another, owing, no doubt, to the con- 

 tents of the basidium being fully charged with the granular 

 matter, and, as long as it retains its vitality, able to continue 

 reproducing spores. 



The germinating process under the surface of the ground 

 occupies from three weeks to two months. It is said — but 

 I do not vouch for its truth — that spawn can retain its 

 power of germinating for twenty years. My own experience 

 is that the best crop of mushrooms can be got only from 

 fresh spawn. 



Our common mushroom of commerce, Agaricus campestx'is, 

 is the only mushroom which, up till now, has been success- 

 fully cultivated. It may be that, when the appreciation of 

 mushrooms becomes more universal, efforts will be made to 

 extend the field ; but the grower is only human, and cannot 

 be expected to create a supply till the demand justifies it. It 

 might be worth the attention of cryptogamic societies to offer 

 prizes in this connection, and perhaps growers would then 

 strive to introduce other kinds which only require to be known 

 to be appreciated. 



Agaricus campestris, A. arvensis, and A. gambosus are fre- 

 quently mistaken for each other. They are very similar in 

 shape, and they grow together under very similar conditions. 

 They are all good for eating, but no one, I think, would 

 hesitate to give A. campestris the first place as an article of 



