SECT. II. REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS. 243 



For in an advanced stage, it disengages itself from 

 the Pileus altogether, and often from the stem also, 

 and perishes about the time of the maturity of the 

 plant. But in some few species it is permanent, 

 remaining still attached to the plant, sometimes by 

 the Pileus in broken and detached fragments ; and 

 Sometimes by the stem, round which it forms a 

 circular protuberance or ring. In Agaricus vdatus 

 it envelopes the Pileus, entirely enclosing it as in 

 a bladder. 



In a few species of Lycoperdon and Agaricus Volva or 

 there is to be found also an additional integument, wra P pe 

 of a tough and membranaceous contexture, gene- 

 rally simple, but sometimes also double, and enve- 

 loping the whole of the frond, at least in the early 

 stage of its growth. This integument is called the 

 Volva or Wrapper, which, as the enclosed su</.:ance 

 expands, bursts into an aperture at the top, and 

 splits into several longitudinal segments that are 

 sometimes reflected to the very base, expanding 

 like the rays of a star, and thus opening up a 

 passage for the frond. 



SECTION II. 



Reproductive Organs. 



THE botanists who have been most successful in First de 

 exploring the fructification of the Fungi are Mi- 

 cheli, Haller, Hedwig, and Bulliard. Micheli 



R 2 



