8 



INTRODUCTION 



sometimes very misleading. The numerals represent the diameter 

 of the pileus, the height from the base of the stem to the top of the 

 pileus, and the diameter of the stem near the middle. The stem in 

 most of the stem-bearing Basidiomycetes is cylindrical or slightly 

 attenuated upwards ; this character is not reiterated in the descrip- 

 tions, where departures from the type only are given. In stemless 

 species, which are generally excentric, the longer diameter of the 

 pileus is given. 



The notes as to taste and odour are generally original, sup- 

 plemented by the observations of others ; those as to colour have in 

 most instances been drawn up from living examples, supplemented 

 by printed descriptions and by reference to characteristic coloured 

 drawings and plates. 



The habitats and dates of appearance are from my own notes, 

 and from observations of other British botanists ; in a few instances 

 no habitat or date is on record. 



Spore measurements have been omitted as untrustworthy; in 

 many cases authors have measured immature spores from young 

 plants, in others it is certain that authors have misnamed the fungus 

 from which the spores have been taken. 



The following abbreviations are employed : 



HYMENOMYCETES. 



The stem is supposed to be cylindrical or nearly so unless otherwise described, 

 and simple if without volva and annulus. 



GASTEROMYCETES. 



