THE COMMON MUSHROOM 



741 



campestris Fr.) is a widely distributed species of this series, and 

 the only one we are able to notice here. 



The mycelium, or vegetative portion of the fungus, when very 

 young, is composed of simple filamentous hyphae, which resemble 

 a loosely-tangled felt of fine white wool. It is known among 



Fig. 251. — A^ Portion of the mycelium m of the common mushroom i^Agaricus cam- 

 pestris L.), with young 'mushrooms' r. 



-5, Longitudinal section of young mushroom : tn mycelium ; c points where lamellae 

 are developed. 



C, Longitudinal section of a half-grown mushroom : a stipe ; h the veil {.vehttjt partiale) ; 

 d fleshy part of pileus : c lamellae or gills. 



i?, An older stage of C. (All about natural size.) 



gardeners and others as ' spawn,' and is found permeating the 

 bed or ground where the ' mushrooms ' grow. After spreading 

 for a time in this form, the hyphse become united into branched 

 cylindrical strands of variable thickness and length. 



Upon this cord-like ' spawn ' arises the part known popularly 



