1 8 INTRODUCTION . 



To place the thousands of the different species to the rank 

 of the fungi world, is a matter of no little difficulty. The only 

 true basis is the physiological. The tree is known by its fruit 

 so the fungi are really only known by the spores and texture. 

 The Germans, Sachs, DeBary, Ebighaus, have each their fancy. 

 If they can not make it suit by the natural physiological basis 

 they are sure to put in artificial, like the colonel of a regiment 

 who wanted his men all one size, so as to make a good appear- 

 ance on dress parade — but could not get them — so those that 

 lacked in size, made them wear high heels on the boots and 

 those that were too tall, he had the heel of the boot removed. 

 So it is with the classification of fungi — they do not always fit 

 nature, and to complete a family he will add character to make 

 it fit. 



