False-colour scanning electron micrograph of the interior of the edible mushroom ICoprinus dissemin- I Iatus i, commonly known as the crumble cap. The visible mushroom is a "fruit body" which appears only after years of growth of the fungus in the soil. The fruit body produces millions of special cells called basidia from a surface layer known as the hymenium. In this micrograph, the basidia are the elliptical cells at top; at bottom is the hymenial layer in cross-section. Sexual union occurs in the basidia, & results in formation of small cells, or basidiospores, which are released & dispersed by air currents to found new colonies of the fungus. Magnification: x680 at 35mm size. Yellow tint. Ref.: IMICROCOSMOS i, figure 5.36, page 106.