Classification, 63 



number or ofcterwise the specimen from wliicli the 

 section was taken. In like manner references to notes 

 and microscopic preparations should be attached to 

 herbarium specimens. 



Classification. 



The systematic arrangement of species according to 

 their natural affinities is, or should be, the outcome of a 

 knowledge of their morphology, and more especially 

 of the earliest phases of development, or in other 

 words, life-history. The classification of fungi is at 

 the present time in a transition state, due to the fact 

 that the most distinguished workers in the field have 

 devoted the whole of their energies either to the de- 

 velopment of a system of classification based entirely 

 on characters presented by mature specimens, and at 

 the same time accepting as a species every indepen- 

 dent form. The names of Fries, Berkeley, Cooke, 

 and Saccardo, are closely associated with this school. 

 It has been shown that true affinity can only be de- 

 termined by an examination of species in the earliest 

 stages of development, and that superficial resem- 

 blances presented by mature forms do not necessarily 

 imply relationship in the sense of descent from a com- 

 mon parent form, hence we find such combinations as 

 the Myxogastres with the Gastromycetes. Neverthe- 

 less, in spite of its grave defects, the old system has 

 taught us to observe minute details of structure, and 

 further, has also demonstrated that such minute dif- 

 ferences are constant, and consequently must be 

 admitted as being the outward and visible responsions 

 of physiological laws, even if the manifestation is 



