HINTS FOR FURTHER STUDY 207 



one of the most important qualifications of a botanist, and one too 

 often neglected in these later days, it is a foundation merely to 

 something better. After something of a familiarity with fungi is 

 gained, DeBary's Morphology of the Fungi, which to a novice 

 would be dry and unintelligible, will become interesting and val- 

 uable, and should serve as a work of constant reference. Ac- 

 cording to the taste of the individual, studies may be prosecuted 

 in the life history of certain species, in the development and rela- 

 tions of the various stages of polymorphic species,* in pure cul- 

 tures of isolated imperfect forms or of mycelia now known only 

 in a sterile condition, in the physiology of growth or nutrition, in 

 the ecologic relations of fungi, in the study of certain species in- 

 jurious to vegetation, or in further systematic revision, a field 

 which sadly needs the most efficient workers, who can combine 

 with the study of herbarium specimens and literature, extensive 

 field study, and long continued cultivation in the fungus garden 

 and the Petri dish. The best taxonomic work of the future must 

 involve both morphological and physiological study together with 

 extended cultures ; a few fields have been comparatively well 

 worked over, but the many await the future monographer. 



* Bearing on the subject of culture media and culture methods a student 

 can profitably read, Smith. Hints on the Study of Fungi. Asa Gray Bull. 

 4: 25-28 ; 37-43. 1896. This was prepared by one of our most careful 

 experimental investigators and contains valuable suggestions for one form 

 of mycological investigation. As a suggestion to a beginner, however, it 

 is an educational curiosity, and would in no way serve as a help to the 

 honest seeker after a little truth. 



