 The spores of C. micaceus are reddish @-@ brown , with dimensions of 7 – 10 by 4 @.@ 5 – 6 µm . Generally , they are lentiform ( shaped like a biconvex lens ) , but viewed from the side they appear more almond @-@ shaped or spindle @-@ shaped , while in front view they appear oval or mitriform ( roughly the shape of a miter — a peaked cap ) . Spores have a germ pore , a flattened area in the center of the spore surface through which a germ tube may emerge . The spore @-@ bearing cells ( the basidia ) are four @-@ spored , club @-@ shaped , and measure 10 – 15 by 4 – 7 µm . Studies have shown that the basidia develop in four discrete generations . The first generation basidia are the most protuberant , and extend out the greatest distance from the surface of the hymenium . Subsequent generations of basidia have shorter and less protuberant bodies . When a living gill is viewed with a microscope , the four sets of basidia can be seen distinctly . Arthur Buller coined the term inaequihymeniiferous to describe this mode of hymenial development . The purpose of the staggered basidia sizes is to facilitate the release of spores from the hymenium . There are four zones of spore discharge that correspond to the four sets of basidia , and basidia that have released all of their spores quickly begin to autodigest . The staggered setup minimizes the chance of spores colliding with neighboring basidia during release . 
