PROPAGATION AND STRUCTURE 



In addition to the foregoing general characters of gilled 

 fungi that aid in their identification are the character, color 

 and form of their separate parts. Each of these receives 

 especial notice in the key. 



Cap or pileus — The cap is the part of a gilled mushroom 

 that first attracts the collector's attention. It is covered with 

 a skin or peel beneath which is the flesh. This flesh or trama 

 is composed of interwoven fibres called hyphae that can be 

 separately seen only under the microscope. 



Amongst the characters of the caps of mushrooms, there is 

 one possessed by some varieties that is apt to confuse the 

 inexperienced collector. When moist, these particular caps 

 have a water-soaked or soggy appearance. When dry they 

 lose this look and become opaque and they often become 

 lighter in shade. Such caps are said to be hygrophanous and 

 this feature may aid in identifying them. The rind or peel, of 

 many species, when moist from rain or humidity, is gelatinous 

 or sticky to the touch. These are described as being viscid. 



Color — While the color of mushrooms is one of their most 

 striking characteristics, it is not so useful a clue in all cases as 

 the beginner in their study is apt to believe. Certain species 

 exhibit great variability of color in different individuals. 

 Many kinds of mushrooms resemble each other in hue so 

 closely that they must be identified by other qualities. 



Form of Cap — There is the greatest variety in the shape of 

 the cap of gilled mushrooms. Some species have conical 

 caps (59 0, some are bell-shaped (86), others flat (116) and 

 yet others funnel-shaped (26). The cap of the majority of 

 species is convex when it is young. As the plant matures the 

 cap usually expands and becomes flat or even depressed at 

 the center. The edge may be regular, lobed (10) or wavy(i i). 



^ Figures in parentheses refer to numbers given to species in this 

 book. They direct the reader to illustrations of the various charac- 

 teristics mentioned. 



15 



