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A PLAIN AND EASY ACCOUNT 



position and relation of the parts we have described. 

 At the base of this section of an Agaric the mycelium is 

 represented at m, proceeding 

 from this the stipe or stem 

 (s), surrounded by the remains 

 of the Tolta or wrapper (r). 

 The stem is surmounted by a 

 pileus or cap (/>), bearing 

 lamellae or gills on the under 

 surface (^7), which have been 

 exposed by the disappearance 

 of the indusium or veil, leaving traces in the form of 

 an annulus, or ring, around the stem. 



If we collect a specimen of mushroom, or any Agaric, 

 and having separated the stem from the pileus, invert 

 the latter, with the gills downwards, upon a piece of 

 glass or a sheet of writing-paper, in the course of an 

 hour or two a number of fine dust-like bodies will be 

 seen to have fallen from the under surface of the pileus 

 upon the glass or paper. These are the reproductive 

 bodies, known as spores, which are borne upon the 

 surface of the lamellae. Their colour will in many 

 instances be white, but in some of a purple tint, or 

 various shades of brown. The further and more 

 minute examination of these bodies requires the aid of 

 a microscope. 



It has been said that the spores of Agarics are borne 

 upon what are termed the gills, and that the spore- 

 bearing surface is called the hymenium. In the genus 

 now under description this hymenium is folded or plaited 



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