76 TEXTBOOK OF BOTANY 



torn irregularly, part of it going with the margin of the cap 

 but the greater part remaining attached to the stalk in the 

 form of a ring. The breaking of the veil leaves the gills on 

 the lower side of the cap uncovered. The gills hang down- 

 ward; they extend, somewhat like the spokes of a wheel, 



Fig. 34. — The fully developed fruiting body of Psalliota arvensis, 

 closely related and very similar to the common field mushroom. 



from the central part, where the cap is attached to the stalk, 

 to the outer margin of the cap ; there are also short gills, 

 between the longer ones, which reach to the outer margin of 

 the cap but not to its center. The cap varies in breadth 

 from two to six inches ; its top is white, cream-colored, or 

 brownish ; it bears many fine, silky hairs, and often some 

 small brownish scales. The flesh of the cap is white, turning 



