330 



GENERAL SCIENCE 



duces a spore, which is formed by the growing together of 

 two cells to form one strong cell. This spore cell may 

 remain dormant for considerable time and also be sub- 

 jected to extremes of heat and cold without destroying 

 its vitality. 



Fungi. We are probably familiar with the toadstool 

 and the edible mushroom (Figure 290). These plants con- 



FIG. 290. Tree Trunk Showing a Bracket Toadstool. 



tain no green coloring matter or chlorophyll and so cannot 

 manufacture starch from water and carbon dioxide. They 

 are members of a large plant group called fungi. Such 

 plants commonly are dependent upon decaying animal 

 and vegetable matter for their food. However, some of 



