502 



LIFE-HISTORIES 



Fig. 330. — Field Mushroom (see also Fig. 119J. -4, mycelium (w) produc- 

 ing young fruit-bodies, \. I, a very young fruit-body cut vertically to 

 show its relation to the mycelium (m). II, same, a little older, showing 

 the beginnings of gills (/)• III, IV, V, later stages in which appear the 

 stalk (st), the cap (h) and the veil (r) protecting the gills till they arc 

 ripe. (Sachs.) 



cap. From the under side of the cap hang numerous thin 

 plates, called "gills," which radiate from the stalk to the 

 margin of the cap. These gills (Fig. 331) bear the spore- 

 producing layer which consists of swollen cell-tips beyond 

 which project club-shaped bodies developing horns, each 

 tipped wdth a spore. These club-shaped spore-bases are 

 called basidia.^ 



^ Ba-sid'i-um < Gr. basis, base. 



