Dino-lite+Bird's+Nest+Fungus

__Bird's Nest Fungus__
This fungus looks like a small bird's nest, complete with eggs. These eggs are called "**peridioles**". They contain the spores. Can you see how big the nest is? (The ruler measures centimetres). || The nest is **a splash cup**. Rain drips off the leaves above and splashes into the nest with enough force to bounce out the "eggs". They sometimes land as far as 1metre away! || Here's a peridiole, splashed out of the cup. The spores are trapped inside. When they are ready, they will explode out of their X-shaped door. || The peridioles have an elastic "tail" which uncoils like a spring when they are splashed out. This handy "tail" grabs onto a twig as the peridiole soars past. || The splash cup has a little cap over the top of the cup to protect the "eggs". It breaks open when the spores inside are ready to grow. || Look what I found inside - **the tiniest** the end of a pin, magnified by the microscope. ||
 * [[image:P1090976.JPG]]
 * [[image:dinofungi-15.JPG]]
 * [[image:dinofungi-19.JPG]]
 * snail I have ever seen!** The metal spike next to it is