THE VOLVA AND VEIL. 37 



can be seen more clearly. The Agarics are 

 divided into classes according to the color of 

 the spores, so it is of great importance to ex- 

 amine them. The shape and size of the spores 

 can only be learned by the use of a microscope. 

 "We have not attempted in this elementary work 

 to do more than mention them. 



THE VOLVA AND VEIL. 



The universal veil or volva is a thin covering 

 which encloses the entire young plant. The 

 cap grows and expands and bursts this veil 

 into fragments. That part of the veil which 

 breaks away from the cap, called the secondary 

 veil, forms the annulus or ring. It resembles 

 a collar, and is generally fastened to the stem. 

 It is not always permanent or fixed in one 

 place. It may disappear when the plant is ma- 

 ture. It is often fragile, loose and torn, and 

 sometimes is movable on the stem. 



The name volva is particularly given to that 

 part of the universal veil which remains around 

 the base of the stem, either sheathing it or ap- 

 pressed closely to it, or in torn fragments. The 

 volva and ring, or annulus, are not always 

 present in mushrooms. The rupture of the 



