186 ABOUT FUNGI. [CHAP. 
the hymenophore after it has attained considerable 
size, and C is a section of the same more highly 
developed ; ¢ marks the embryo “gills” or plates 
which bear the spores; P is the future fz/eus or cap, 
joined to the stem (S) by a membrane (V), the ved/. 
As the Mushroom grows this veil is broken, the stem 
elongates, the pileus expands, and the plant assumes 
its perfect shape. Fig. 140 represents a vertical 
section of a full-grown Agaric, in which A is the 
annulus or ring, the ruins of the veil. The other 
letters refer to the same parts as in fig. 139. 
“A longitudinal slice from the stem will exhibit 
under the microscope delicate tubular cells, the 
general direction of 
which is lengthwise, 
with lateral branches, 
the whole interlacing 
so intimately that it is 
difficult to trace any 
individual thread very 
far in its course.qaat 
will be evident that the 
structure is less com- 
pact as it approaches 
the centre of the stem, 
which in many species 
is hollow. The yme- 
nium is the spore-bearing surface, which is exposed 
or naked, and spread over the gills. These plates are 
covered on all sides with a delicate membrane, upon 
which the reproductive organs are developed. If it 
were possible to remove this membrane in one entire 
Fic. 140. 
