CHAPTER II 
METHODS OF SPORE DISPERSAL 
T HE agencies by which the spores of fungi are dispersed 
may be arranged under four heads—viz., the Fungus 
itself, Water, Air, and Animals. 
i. By the Fungus itself .—Perhaps the most remarkable 
instance is afforded by Sphcevobolus stellatus (a Gasteromy- 
cete), the catapult fungus, as it might well be called. This 
species is of frequent occurrence on decaying sticks, saw¬ 
dust, old sacking, etc. It is inconspicuous, however, and 
easily overlooked. Before expansion it looks like “ little 
grains of white mustard seed partially covered with a deli¬ 
cate down.” It is gregarious, and sometimes occurs in quite 
large patches. In structure it consists of two layers—a coat 
and lining, we may call them. The coat is often orange 
colour ; its lining, which is tough, thin, and colourless, forms 
a cup, in the bottom of which lies the sporangium, a globose 
brown body containing the spores. At maturity the coat 
splits half-way down into a few pointed divisions or rays. 
Soon afterwards the lining is suddenly turned outwards 
with such force as to shoot out the sporangium like a shot 
from a catapult. The lining does not leave the coat, being 
fastened to it at the tips of the rays. Berkeley compared 
the action to that of a body tossed from a blanket held at 
the four corners. The sporangium is sticky, and adheres to 
whatever it may come in contact with during flight. 
If a cluster of sporophores are placed under a bell-glass, 
the sporangia strike the glass with such force as to make an 
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