FUNGI q9 
LESSON XLII 
A toadstool! 
General study.—Some of the mycelium of a toadstool 
is within the nourishing medium. Above this there is the 
stalk, and upon it the expanded part, the pileus. About 
the stalk there is sometimes a ring, while from the margin 
of the pileus sometimes hangs a veil. On the under side 
of the pileus are plates or gills, pores, or spines. Observe 
both young and old specimens. Where is the pileus in a 
young specimen? When present, how are the ring and veil 
formed? Draw. 
Structure.—Mount a little of the drier earth or wood 
in which the mycelium is growing and try to discover some 
of the hyphe. From the stalk and pileus remove small 
pieces, dissect carefully, then mount and examine. De- 
termine what composes these parts of the toadstool. Are 
the hyphex from the interior of the stalk as heavy-walled as 
those on the exterior? Why? Draw. 
Reproduction.—Remove a small piece of gill, spine, or 
wall of pore, and examine. Where are spores developed? 
Can you determine just how they are supported? Draw. 
How are spores set free? How are they distributed? Does 
the specimen you have become dry or gelatinous as it be- 
comes old? Does this bear any relation to distribution of 
spores? 
General questions—Where do toadstools grow? Why 
do we expect to find more toadstools shortly after a warm 
rain? What furnishes food material for toadstools and 
puffballs ? 
Examine the spores of various toadstools, puffballs, etc. 
Do most of these spores form new plants? Why are so many 
1Coprinus, Agaricus, or any other common toadstool will suffice 
for this work, 
