,-y 



FIG. 107. Armillaria mellea, showing the sporophore or 

 reproductive portion of the fungus, which consists of pileus or 

 cap, bearing the gills which produce the spores, on its lower sur- 

 face ; 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. Halfnat. size. 



