TYPES OF CRYPTOGAMS; THALLOPHYTES 229 
of tissue (volva) can be found enclosing the entire fruiting body. 
If such be present, what becomes of it at maturity? If material is 
available, compare the species of Amanita (poisonous) in regard to this. 
Examine specimens in which the cap is expanding and see if 
there is another tissue forming a veil covering the under surface of 
the cap. If such be present, how is it attached and what becomes 
of it? 
Take a fresh, well-expanded mushroom or toadstool. Remove the 
stalk or stipe close under the cap or pileus, and lay the latter, gills 
down, on a piece of paper. Let it remain undisturbed for a few 
hours, or over night, so that the spores may fall 
upon the paper. Note carefully their color, also 
the form in which they are arranged on the paper. 
What determines this form? Examine some of 
the spores under the highest available power of 
the microscope. Measure 
and draw. 
Describe the stipe. Is ita ( 
hollow tube or solid? Does it 
taper? Note length, diameter, 
color. 
Describe the cap or pileus 
in regard to diameter, thick- 
ness, nature and color of the 
upper surface, also color below. 
hym h 
Examine the plates or gills, A 
which compose the under por- Fic. 164. Portions of Gills of a 
tion of the pileus. Cut acom- Fungus (Agaricus). 
plete pileus and stipe through 4, slightly magnified; B, one of the parts 
the center, and draw an out- of A, more magnified. hym, hyme- 
line to show the shape, noting HIG Bgeeabeal lager: 
particularly how the gills are attached. What is the color of the gills? 
295. Origin of Spores. — Make a cross-section of one of the gills, 
and with a magnifying power of about 200 diameters examine the 
fruiting cells (basidia) which project at right angles to the gill and 
bear the spores. At how many points (sterigmata) on each basidium 
are spores attached? Draw a basidium, preferably one from which 
the spores have not yet fallen. 
