212 RESEARCHES ON FUNGI 



spore-discharge begins. These spaces are provided for a maximum 

 number of gills by the long axes of the latter becoming horizontally 

 outstretched at maturity (Plate I., Fig. 2 ; Plate IV., Fig. 25). In 

 order to fix the gills in this position (with their planes vertical), 

 the whole fruit-body must have the necessary rigidity. This is 

 given by the thick flesh. 



In a fruit-body of Coprinus comatus there is much more gill- 



FlG. 75. Amanita muscaria. Two fruit-bodies having the Ps/tlliota campcstris 

 type of spore-discharge. The gills are horizontally outstretched. The 

 space provided by the stipe beneath the pileus allows air-currents to 

 readily bear away the falling spores. In nature the tops of the pilei, which 

 bear white squamulae, are coloured a brilliant red. Photographed at 

 Sutton Park, Warwickshire, by J. E. Titley. About natural size. 



surface in proportion to the whole mass than in a Mushroom. 

 The former, therefore, has solved the problem of developing the 

 maximum amount of spore-bearing hymenium with the least 

 possible expenditure of fruit-body substance and energy, much 

 more successfully than the latter (cf. Plate I., Figs. 1 and 2). 



The Coprinus has such extremely thin flesh to its pileus that 

 it would be mechanically impossible for it to support its gills at 

 maturity with their long axes in the horizontal position. Associated 



