FUNGI. 22 1 



surface is white. In the less conspicuous forms this 

 assists in concealment, for the shadow thrown by the 

 cap is neutralised. In the conspicuous species the white 

 stalk and gills make them even more distinct and 

 visible at a distance. Although the colours have been 

 very closely studied as aids to the discrimination of 

 species, nothing is known certainly of their use to the 

 fungus. To those who know the habits of flies, it is 

 obvious that the flat tops of the mushroom will readily 

 catch the eye of an insect, and it will settle upon them 

 as certainly as a hawk will alight on a pole set up in a 

 field. In most cases the fly is probably attracted by 

 the colour. After it has alighted it v/ill distinguish the 

 smell, and crawl down to investigate the gills. It will 

 thus get dusted with spores, and carry them away upon 

 its feet. The writer has watched a slightly different 

 procedure in the case of Agaricus rubescens, one of the 

 common red species found in woods. A fly alighted on 

 the upper surface ; after a time it seemed to be attracted 

 by the staring white ring on the stalk of another fungus 

 close at hand, and at once flew to the ring, and passed 

 over the gills. The usual fate of these Agarics (unless 

 suddenly killed off by the frost) is to be devoured by 

 maggots. The mother insect will be greatly assisted 

 by colour and smell in choosing a place for its eggs, and 

 must carry the spores about if it goes from one fungus 

 to another. The character of the smell also, which is 

 often of a very offensive description, must be exceed- 

 ingly delightful to all those carrion and other flies 

 which live on decaying abominations. 



The spoi^es themselves are often coloured. As their 

 colour is an important classifying character, any 

 specimens gathered should be left overnight on white 

 paper, with the gills facing downwa.rd. During the 



