LIFE HISTORIES OF FUNGI 281 



tions, the sterigmata (singular, sterigma) 1 , and on the end 

 of each sterigma is a spore (basidiospore). In the early 

 stages of development the gills appear white, at maturity 

 they are purplish, and, at about the time the spores are 

 shed, they become dark brown. Although many pains- 

 taking experiments have been made in order to secure the 

 germination of the spores, no one has ever been successful. 

 Whether or not the mushroom is produced from spores 

 in nature we can only conjecture. No sexual organs have 

 ever been discovered on any of the fleshy Basidiomycetes. 



FIG. 205. The common mushroom (Agaricus campestris). Young "but- 

 tons." (Photo by G. F. Atkinson.) 



271. Vegetative Propagation. The meadow-mushroom 

 is propagated for food from " bricks" of mycelium, or 

 " spawn" that may be purchased from seedsmen. When 

 portions of these " bricks" are placed in suitably prepared 

 soil, under favorable conditions of moisture and heat, 

 the mycelium resumes its growth, ramifying in all di- 

 rections through the soil. At numerous points on the 

 mycelium tiny little "buttons" form (Fig. 204). As the 



1 In most of the gill-bearing fungi there are four sterigmata on each 

 basidium, as shown in Fig. 203. 



