﻿BOTANICAL GAZETTE 



the Agaricaceae is the origin of the lamellae (see Levine 22) ; and 

 this notwithstanding the fact that in a number of species several 

 different persons have clearly and accurately described the origin 

 of the lamellae. 3 It is further stated in the paper just referred 

 to, after describing the peculiar structure observed in Coprinus 

 micaceus, that " There is no general annular gill cavity as described 

 by Hoffmann, DeBary, Atkinson, and others, and no annular 

 hymenial primordium" (Levine 22, p. 352). Since DeBary (14, 

 p. 69) is the only person who has ever announced the existence of a 

 general annular gill cavity in Coprinus micaceus, this ambiguous 

 statement can be interpreted only as a denial of the existence of a 

 general, annular, prelamellar cavity in Agaricus campestris, and 

 other species of this genus, and other genera in which it has been 

 described. 



According to the peculiar situation said to precede the origin 

 of the lamellae in Coprinus micaceus (Levine 22), there first appear, 

 isolated in the fundamental elements, radiating ridges of short 

 converging hyphae. These ridges are said to split, and approxi- 

 mate halves of adjacent ridges unite to form the lamellae. It is 

 also stated that there is no general palisade layer of the young 

 hymenophore preceding the formation of the lamellae. So far 



origin of the lamellae in Agaricus cameotomentosus {Partus torulosus). The unequal 

 later become the lamellae. Later he observed the same method of origin in CoUybia 



palisade layer of the young hymenophore in Nyctalis asterophora and parasitica was 

 said to present radial folds from its earliest appearance, that is, it was not a level or 

 even layer. This interpretation of the early form of the hymenophore was shown by 

 Hoffmann (20, p. 402) to be wrong. The later study of a number of other forms, 

 both gymnocarp and angiocarp, led DeBary (14, p. 63; 15, pp. 58 and 312; 16, pp. 55 

 and 289) to the conclusion that the same course of development as described by Hoff- 

 mann prevailed in most of the Agaricaceae. He now recognizes the earliest stage of the 

 young palisade hymenophore to be level or smooth, even if only for a brief period. A 

 very clear description is also given of the origin of the lamellae as downward growths 

 of the young, level, palisade hymenophore along radial areas, commencing next the 

 stem, progressing centrifugally, and broadening downward. An exception was made 

 in the case of those forms with a true volva {Amanita, etc.). See the examples cited 

 in the footnote on the first page of this article, in which the origin of the lamellae 

 has been correctly described. 



