1 86 



ABOUT FUNGI. 



[CHAP. 



the hymenophore after it has attained considerable 

 size, and C is a section of the same more highly 

 developed; g marks the embryo "gills" or plates 

 which bear the spores ; P is the future pileus or cap, 

 joined to the stem (S) by a membrane (V), the veil. 

 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 

 anmilus 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. It 

 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 hyme- 

 mum 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 



FIG. 140. 



