PREFACE TO THE GERMAN EDITION 



By the introduction of cytological methods of investigation to 

 mycology, we have arrived at a much clearer conception of many of the 

 problems of comparative morphology. In general, the classification of 

 fungi has remained the same, but its interpretation has been strengthened 

 and deepened in many ways. The task of this book is to present these 

 conceptions in the most concise form. To my teacher, Eduard Fischer, 

 Professor of Botany in Bern, I dedicate it as a token of my gratitude. 

 Many of the ideas presented here, I owe to his lectures and conversation. 



In the introductory chapters, the most important points of view and 

 the basic forms are briefly discussed, assuming a knowledge of a textbook 

 similar in content to that of Strasburger. This first part contains a 

 brief summary of present knowledge. The remainder of the book 

 describes modifications of the basic forms in the different groups. In 

 order to shorten this presentation, we have dispensed with a discussion 

 of the historical background of our knowledge. To anyone interested 

 in this aspect of the question, we may recommend the excellent work of 

 Vuillemin (1912). I have attempted, however, to present the divergent 

 conceptions of various authors with the data on which they are based, and 

 to deal with them justly. In order to facilitate special studies, I have 

 included many references to recent works which contain summaries of 

 the older literature. 



I would like here to express my thanks to all those who have aided me 

 with information, material from their herbaria and libraries, by copies of 

 their works, or permission to use their figures. I wish especially to thank 

 my wife for her assistance in redrawing the figures and the artist, E. 

 Tobler of Zurich, who provided some habit sketches. 



I am greatly indebted to the publisher, Dr. Gustav Fischer, who 

 readily agreed to all my proposals for the preparation of this book. 



As all such books, this contains many omissions and errors; I admit 

 them willingly and will be grateful to have any pointed out so that they 

 may later be corrected. 



Dr. Ernst Gaumann, 

 Botanist, Swiss Agricultural Experiment Station, 

 Docent, Federal Technical High School. 

 Oeklikon-Zurich, 



October, 1925. 



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