302 THE BIOLOGY OF THE PLANT 



grow, their mode of attachment to the soil, the number 

 of individuals growing together, etc., etc. Specimens 

 may then be removed to the laboratory and studied 

 without and with the microscope. Preserved material 

 should be examined in a dish of seventy-five per cent, 

 alcohol. 



MOEPHOLOGT 



Naked -eye Characters. — Select several mushrooms or 

 toadstools, and study 



a. Shape. — "What is the general shape ? Do you find 

 any marked variations from this ? Do you find 

 that the mushroom always has the same shape as 

 the mature specimen ? If not, what changes of 

 shape does it go through during its development ? 



h. Size. — What is the height of a mature specimen? 

 "What variations do you find? Does the mush- 

 room attain its mature form before or after it 

 reaches its full height? 



c. Structure. — Examine a mature specimen and make 



out the following parts, the expanded top or 



pileus, and the stalk or stipe, -surrounded by a 



ring, the annulus. Study each part in succession. 



1. The pileus. — What is its shape? Diameter? 



Thickness? Color of the upper surface? What 



is the structure of the upper surface ? Can you 



give any reasons for this structure ? Examine 



the extreme margin of the pileus for a thin 



membranous expansion. What is the color of 



the under surface? Note that it varies from 



pink in young to dark-brown or black in old 



specimens. Note also the gills or lamellse. 



How are they arranged ? What is their shape ? 



