PREFACE. 



have been made will commend themselves to the student as facilitating 

 the study of organisms by no means easy of comprehension. 



The arrangement of the Hymenomycetes is based upon the latest 

 views of the illustrious Fries, with such additions as were recom- 

 mended by Mr. Worthington Smith in a recent volume of the " Journal 

 of Botany." In fact, Mr. Smith's arrangement is adopted in toto, and 

 I availed myseK of his experience by associating him with myself in 

 this portion of the work. 



Dui'ing the progress of this " Handbook" I have to acknowledge 

 with gratitude the suggestions, and aid, of numerous friends, espe- 

 cially of Professor Elias Fries, the Rev. M. J. Berkeley, M. A., C. E. 

 Broome, Esq., F.L.S., W. G. Smith, Esq., F.L.S., Dr. E. Capron, Dr. 

 Bull, and H. C. Eavenal, Esq. For the measurements of the spores 

 in the Agaricini I am indebted to Mr. W. G. Smith, as well as for the 

 di'awings of many of the woodcuts. North American localities have 

 been inserted for some species, but I am aware that this portion of 

 the work is very imperfect. 



I am conscious that I have not produced a perfect work. Pui'suing 

 the study of Fungi as a recreation in the intervals of the daily 

 business of life, it was no easy task to prepare and aiTange the 

 descriptions of nearly three thousand plants, compare specimens and 

 figures, and measure their spores. It would be presumption to 

 suppose that this has in all cases been done without error, although 

 it is hoped, with some confidence, that the errors are few, and of no 

 great importance. 



Subscribers will not regret that, instead of 600 pages they will 

 receive more than 900 ; and instead of 200 figures upwards of 400. 

 No effort has been spared to make this work worthy of their confi- 

 dence, and, by the publication of an occasional supplement, it is 

 hoped to maintain it for many yeai*s as the " Handbook" for every 

 student of British Fungi. 



M. C. C. 



Upper Holloivay, July, 1871. 



