124 OF THE FUNGI. 



Agaric (Plate xxiv.). On taking up one of these plants 

 (or rather one of their fructifying organs, for the plant 

 itself is concealed under the soil in the form of Mycelium) 

 we see a convex expansion called the pileus or cap, sup- 

 ported by the stipes or stem, which itself rises out of the 

 volva or wrapper, a tough membrane, which at one time 

 enclosed the entire organism, but through which the pileus 

 and stipes have forced their way, leaving only a fragmentary 

 cup behind. The pileus, in fact, is a thick leathery roof, 

 concealing and at the same time affording protection to the 

 hymenium or reproductive organs ; and, on turning the 

 pileus over, we see that the hymenium is divided into 

 numerous plates, the lamellae or gills, radiating from the 

 centre to the external border. . Further investigations under 

 the microscope reveal the fact, that these lamellae are recep- 

 tacles containing the sporules, the germs of the future 

 Agarics. Perhaps it will simplify the matter to some of 

 my readers if I add, that the pileus with its accompanying 

 hymenium forms the edible portion of the common mush- 

 room, the stipes usually going to form that useful sauce, 

 ' catsup.' What are termed ' button mushrooms ' are the 

 young plants still imprisoned within the volva, or which 

 have but just burst through its membranous coat. — Ed.] 



In the first place, longitudinal sections must be made, 

 traversing the whole organism, from the top of the pileus 

 to the base of the stipes. To effect this, the operator takes 

 a very sharp knife, or better still a razor, and with a firm 

 hand makes a bold cut from above downwards right 

 through the plant. This he repeats three or four times, so 

 as to obtain successively several laminae, each about two 

 lines thick, presenting a kind of diagram of the different 

 parts. These should be at once placed under the press. 

 The quicker the operation of drying is performed, the finer 

 will be the appearance of the preparation, and the better 

 will the natural colouring be retained. This may be for- 

 warded by frequently changing the paper, and by warming 

 it before laying it on the object. 



