ON TUK rUNirl OF CKYLON. 495 



fcion under review ; but meanwhile, as far aa regards the species 

 described in this first notice, it will at once be remarked how 

 closely the Agarics, which comprise 302 species, resemble those 

 of our own country. Though many species do not seem to be 

 identical, still we have frequently had great difficulty in accu- 

 rately estimating the difference. It is singular that every one of 

 the subgenera of Fries is represented, though the number of spe- 

 cies in one or two is greatly predominant. Z^^/o/aand FsaJliota 

 alone comprise one-third of the species, while PhoUota^ which one 

 might expect to be well represented, offers only a single obscure 

 species. It has frequently been a matter of doubt whether par- 

 ticular species should be refered to Lepiota or Psalliota, since the 

 colour of the spores sometimes changes in drying with the rest of 

 the plant. We have therefore been obliged to be guided by what 

 we know of European species, having merely drawings and dried 

 specimens to help us. If, therefore, we have in this case com- 

 mitted any errors, they must be left to tlie reconsideration of 

 Ceylon botanists with fresb specimens before them. As the 

 drawings will hereafter be returned to Ceylon, careful copies being 

 reserved for this country, there viill be no want of materials for 

 the purpose. The figures have been made, under the superin- 

 tendence of our indefatigable friend Mr. Thwaites, by a native 

 artist (Mr. De Alwis), and are admirable, both as to execution and 

 details. Indeed it would be difficult to point out any which so 

 completely satisfy the most stringent requirements, with the 

 single exception of microscopical matters, which, in most cases, we 

 have been able to supply. Exception, perhaps, may be taken to so 

 many of the specific names being derived from the Greek ; but in 

 such an enormous genus the great point was to avoid the danger 

 of using terms which are already appropriated, a matter of ex- 

 treme difficulty even with the help of the best published lists. It 

 \vill be well, indeed, if we have not sometimes suffered wreck on a 



" I m 



rock nearer home. Specimens of a few of the more striking 

 drawings have already been laid before the Society ; and it is a 

 matter of regret that it is simply impossible to publish the whole 

 series. Th6 copies, however, will ultimately be deposited in the 

 library at Kew. 



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