4 GENERA OF FUNGI 



ness and accuracy in the study of a sufficient quantity of good material, but 

 also the exercise of the same qualities in preparing the results for publica- 

 tion. Diagnoses should be concise but complete, and should specifically take 

 into account all of the generic criteria in the family concerned. Even more 

 imperative is the definite indication of relationship to one or more contiguous 

 genera, together with a clear-cut statement of the differences involved. An 

 admirable way to secure such results is actually to place the proposed genus 

 in the family or sectional key, which will serve also to reveal any weakness 

 in the proposal. To offset personal differences in terminology and interpre- 

 tation, no genus should be regarded as adequately published unless accom- 

 panied by proper illustrations. Finally, the position in family and section 

 should be clearly stated, together with a pertinent account of deviations or 

 discrepancies. 



With the task of the individual well performed, the second and even 

 more important step is to speedily insure its confirmation and currency. For 

 this, cooperation is indispensable. Many a genus has passed from cr>e hand 

 to another over a long period without meeting a real test of its validity, and 

 there are still too many that rest upon a single unconfirmed discovery. This 

 condition can be remedied and mycology converted into a body of tested 

 objective knowledge only through some method for the review of genera 

 and species before they are published. Sooner or later all such proposals 

 will be critically examined by other mycologists, and it is obviously to the 

 advantage of all that this be done before publication rather than after. 

 Much uncertainty and not infrequent error will be avoided if the material 

 concerned is submitted to other specialists in the particular field. In the 

 case of genera a cogent argument is afforded by the excessive number of 

 present synonyms, while the over-production of species is attested by 

 Hoehnel's reduction of 17 species of Diaporthe on Salix to 5, 9 on Aesculus 

 to 2, and 7 on Caprifoliaceae to 1 ! 



A third essential of the plan proposed is to render much more accessible 

 the original papers and the type material concerned with the publication of 

 new genera. Unfortunately some of the proponents of new genera and 

 species seem to forget that the primary aim and purpose of systematic 

 mycology is the advancement of science and the benefit of mankind rather 

 than the aggrandizement of the individual. No one who has not attempted 

 such a task as the present one can fully appreciate the almost insurmountable 

 difficulties of the existing situation, but every mycologist has made acquaint- 

 ance with some of them in the course of his own work. This is exemplified 

 in the interval of twelve years between the appearance of volumes 22 and 23 

 of the "Sylloge Fungorum," but it is even more evident in the numerous 

 omissions in the last two volumes, omissions that are all but unavoidable 

 under the circumstances. This tax upon time and energy, to say nothing of 

 the character of the results, can only be obviated by the clear recognition of 

 his scientific obligations by each mycologist. The first of these is to see that 

 descriptions are drawn in either Latin, English, French or German, and that 



