GUIDE TO THE LITERATURE FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF FUNGI 661 



of some smaller group of fungi, such as a family or a genus or even a sec- 

 tion of a genus. By virture of the limitation of effort to this relatively 

 small number of species it is possible for such a monograph to devote 

 larger space to the description of the individual species and to make their 

 identification easier. 



In the following pages the more general works are first listed; then 

 under different headings are included the publications that are confined 

 more to special groups. These are arranged systematically in accordance 

 with the classification of the fungi. It is the aim of the author to list the 

 more recent publications of this nature from all parts of the world, but it 

 is certain that there are many omissions, especially for parts of the world 

 whose mycological literature is not so widely available in the United 

 States as is the literature of this country and of the larger European 

 countries. Even for the latter the large number of publications of some- 

 what limited scope from botanical or mycological societies makes a com- 

 plete list difficult to obtain as in no one library will even a majority of 

 such works be found. The disruption of communication and the destruc- 

 tion due to World War II and the subsequent disturbed political and 

 economic conditions have made it increasingly difficult to keep in touch 

 with the mycological work of other regions of the world. 



The student is advised to turn first to the portion of the list where 

 these papers of monographic nature are to be found. In case no such paper 

 is listed for the fungus he has, he must turn to the more general lists. 



Because of the various systems of classification used by different 

 authors the arrangements of the items in the following lists do not follow 

 any one system in all its details. Cross references are necessary in the 

 cases where one work includes groups now segregated although formerly 

 united. 



It must be remembered that certainty of identification depends not 

 only upon the availability of the necessary literature but also upon the 

 fullness of the knowledge of the structure, development, etc., of the fungus 

 in question. The literature should not be consulted until the main morpho- 

 logic and anatomic details have been ascertained, including measurements 

 of spores, sporophores, etc. The fuller the knowledge of details as to the 

 substratum on which the fungus grows, its habitat, color, appearance 

 when fresh, appearance at different stages of development, etc., the more 

 easily will the identification be effected. 



