5 14 Wager. — Nuclear Division in Hymenomycetes. 
Amanita muscarius. 
Figs. 31, 32, 38-43, 45 and 46 Zeiss’s apo. 2 mm. 1.4 aper. and ocular 18. 
Figs. 33-37, 44, 47 and 48 Zeiss’s apo. 1-5 mm. 1.3 aper. and ocular 18. 
Fig. 31. Young basidium with three nuclei. 
Fig. 32. Young basidium with two nuclei. 
Fig- 33- Young basidium with two nuclei, more highly magnified than Fig. 32. 
The chromatin-granules in the nuclear network are distinctly visible. These 
granules stain deep blue, the nucleolus deep bluish red. 
Fig. 34. Basidium, with single large nucleus produced by fusion of the two or 
three original nuclei. This nucleus clearly shows the same structure as the nuclei 
of the higher plants. The nucleolus colours an intense bluish red, the granules 
in the network, deep blue. 
Fig- 35- Basidium with nucleus, in which the nuclear thread, or threads, is broken 
up into a number of short, slightly curved, rods. 
Fig. 36. Basidium with nucleus in a later stage of development than Fig. 35. The 
outline of the nucleus is irregular ; the threads are shorter and thicker and more 
sharply curved, in some cases forming a somewhat homogeneous mass, coloured 
deep blue. 
Fig. 37. Later stage. The nuclear membrane has almost completely disappeared. 
At the upper end of the nucleus is a small number, six to eight, of deeply stained, 
short rods or granules coloured bluish red, and between these a few delicate 
lightly stained blue threads are to be seen. 
Fig. 38. Stage in which the nuclear membrane has entirely disappeared. The 
chromosomes form now an equatorial plate, and are stained bright reddish blue. 
The nucleolus is visible, but is very small and stains light blue. 
Fig. 39. Basidium with nuclear spindle visible ; the chromosomes are just 
beginning to separate into two groups. The nucleolus still visible, but very 
small. The chromosomes at this stage are stained bright red. 
Fig. 40. Nearly same stage as Fig. 39, but the nucleolus has disappeared. 
Fig. 41. Slightly later stage than Fig. 39. Eight chromosomes can be made out. 
Fig. 42. Later stage. The chromosomes have now divided into two groups; 
the remains of the spindle-threads can be seen connecting the two. 
Fig. 43. Basidium with two daughter-nuclei just formed. The chromatin-masses 
still stain bright red. 
Fig. 44. Basidium with two completely formed daughter-nuclei. Each nucleus 
possesses the same structure as the original parent nucleus, and stains in the 
same way. 
Fig- 45 * Basidium with daughter-nuclei just previously to division of the latter. 
Each nucleus possesses a group of deeply stained red granules (chromosomes), and 
a number of light blue threads. The nuclear membrane is very irregular in 
outline, and the nucleolus has become smaller. 
Fig. 46. Basidium showing the equatorial groups of chromosomes of the 
daughter-nuclei. The nucleolus is visible in one case ; in the other it was out of 
focus, so was not drawn. 
Fig. 47. Basidium with four nuclei produced by division. The structure of each 
nucleus is the same as that of the original single nucleus of the basidium. 
Fig. 48. Basidium just before the formation of spores. The nuclei form a 
closely adpressed mass at the base of the basidium. 
