1901] Two Mushroom Books 14I 
From the woods we pass presently to the study, to learn that 
« Fungi have existed from early geological ages,” the oldest known 
Hymenomycete, being the one that * was called Polyporites Bow- 
manii. ” ‘It is interesting to know that even before the Tertiary 
period the undergrowth consisted of ferns and fleshy fungi. What a 
time of delight for the botanist! But there were no human beings 
in those days to roam amongst that luxuriant undergrowth, and only 
the fossil remains in the deposits of coal and peat are left to tell of 
their former existence." Alas! Untimely fate of early man! 
Under various heads follows much information as to structure, 
habit, etc., that can be gathered rather better from other books. 
No where else, however, can welearn that the * group of Basidiomy- 
cetes is divided into (1) Stomach fungi, (2) Spore sac fungi, and (3) 
Membrane fungi”; or that in Agarics the gills “ contain the spores ” ; 
or that the trama “lies between the two layers of gills in Agarics.” 
In an outline of the system of classification, the principal genera 
are briefly characterized, and the meanings of their names are 
elucidated. The student may here learn much that no lexicon will 
ever reveal to him: that Lactarius — milk; Marasmius — to wither ; 
Cortinarius — a veil; and  Telamonia —lint. Having worked 
through the genera in this way, the authors proceed to give descrip- 
tions * of fungi familiar to most persons, classified according to the 
colors of the cap." The list begins with Russula emetica,’ described, 
as is not unusual, in such a way as to make it very doubtful whether 
the writers know the species. Thus, no mention is made of its vis- 
cidity, and it is said to grow “ among dead leaves, in the woods and 
open places from July to December." Cortinarius alboviolaceous, 
thelast species in the list, exemplifies a prevalent uncertainty in the 
handling of the Latin names. Then follows **a list of fungi that we 
constantly see, but which cannot be classified by the color of the 
cap." Here we find much curious information, as in regard to 
Clavaria flava: “ Stevenson does not mention this species, so it may 
be peculiar to this country." Of the Jew's Ear we learn a new habitat : 
«It is a very peculiarlooking fungus, shaped somewhat like the 
human ear, of all sizes, and grows in great quantities in the same 
place." 
But it isimpossible, even by continuing to quote, to give the charm 
1 See note by Dr. Burt in RoDORA 2: 71 ; March, 1900. 
y 7 9 
