LIFE HISTORIES OF FUNGI 281 
tions, the sterigmata (singular, sterigma) 1 , and on the end 
of each sterigma is a spore (basidiospore). In the early 
stages of development the gills appear white, at maturity 
they are purplish, and, at about the time the spores are 
shed, they become dark brown. Although many pains- 
taking experiments have been made in order to secure the 
germination of the spores, no one has ever been successful. 
Whether or not the mushroom is produced from spores 
in nature we can only conjecture. No sexual organs have 
ever been discovered on any of the fleshy Basidiomycetes. 
FIG. 205. The common mushroom (Agaricus campeslris). Young "but- 
tons." (Photo by G. F. Atkinson.) 
271. Vegetative Propagation. The meadow-mushroom 
is propagated for food from "bricks" of mycelium, or 
"spawn" that may be purchased from seedsmen. When 
portions of these "bricks" are placed in suitably prepared 
soil, under favorable conditions of moisture and heat, 
the mycelium resumes its growth, ramifying in all di- 
rections through the soil. At numerous points on the 
mycelium tiny little "buttons" form (Fig. 204). As the 
1 In most of the gill-bearing fungi there are four sterigmata on each 
basidium, as shown in Fig. 203. 
