VI PREFACE. 



collected with a view of publishing a new edition of the 

 " Handbook," but afforded me at all times his valuable 

 advice and assistance. How far these advantages have 

 been utilized must be left to the judgment of the reader. 



The subject of classification will not fail to awaken 

 some controversy. As every author has his own views, 

 I may be permitted to have mine. To adhere as closely 

 as possible to the long-accepted Friesian system has 

 been the practice of English authors ; but this has been 

 carried a little too far, owing to our " insular prejudices," 

 and the time has come when a new departure must be 

 made. While avoiding the fondness for innovation 

 displayed by our Teutonic, and indeed, though in a less 

 degree, our Gallic, neighbours, I have retained in the 

 form of subgenera some of their more useful groups, 

 foresee many objections that can be urged to the method 

 adopted, but prefer to let it stand on its own merits 

 rather than enter here into a lengthened justification. 



Many of the diagnoses have been altered or added 

 to without reserve, where it appeared to me necessary, 

 and others have been borrowed from one or other of 

 the authors cited in connection with them. Professor 

 Karsten's " Mycologia Fennica" and M. Boudier's 

 " Memoire sur les Ascoboles " have been of great assist- 

 ance, the former especially in the measurement of 

 sporidia. 



The habitats are chiefly those of "English Flora," 

 Cooke's " Handbook," Berkeley and Broome's " Notices 

 of British Fungi," with such as have come within my 

 own knowledge. To have added those contained in the 



