42 TEXT-BOOK OF FUNGI 



that is, pointing to the ground, and also the most primitive 

 attempt at protection of the hymenium against rain, dust, 



FIG. 13. Stereum hirsutum, a fungus having a sporo- 

 phore which is partly adnate to, or lying flat and attached to 

 the matrix, whereas the upper portion of the sporophore is 

 free from the matrix, and grows at right angles to it. The 

 hymenium or spore-bearing portion is on the under side of the 

 free portion ; the upper side is sterile and protective, i, fungus 

 growing on a piece of dead wood ; 2, section of same ; 3, 

 basidia, each bearing four spores. Figs, i and 2, nat. size ; 

 fig. 3, mag. 



etc. The upper or sterile free portion of the sporophore is 

 called the pileus by systematists, and when it originates as 



