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FlG. 9. Armillaria mellea, showing the sporophore or re- 

 productive portion of the fungus, which consists of pileus or cap, 

 bearing the gills which produce the spores, on its lower surface ; 

 stem ; and secondary veil, a membrane which extends from the 

 stem to the margin of the pileus, thus protecting the gills when 

 young ; at a later stage this membrane splits and breaks away 

 from the pileus, shrinks and forms a ring or collar round the 

 stem. The vegetative portion of the fungus is buried in the 

 ground. Half nat. size. 



