2 The North American Cup- Fungi 



extensive collection, containing much valuable information, is 

 now at Cornell University. 



Since there is no monograph of the opcrculate cup-fungi in 

 America it seems not out of place to publish at this time a 

 summary of our knowledge of the group which has accumulated 

 after many years of more or less intermittent observation and 

 stud\-. In fact the author has been urged by mycologists to 

 do so. If this work is successful it may be followed by a larger 

 and more extensive one with a larger number of illustrations. 

 Looking to this, criticisms and difference of opinion will be 

 welcomed, especially where accompanied b\- observations, photo- 

 graphs and actual specimens. 



One of the chief difficulties to be encountered in the study 

 of this group of fungi is that, while some of the species are very 

 common, others are found only once or twice in a lifetime, so 

 that it is difficult to make a detailed study of such forms over an 

 extended period. Others are so small that they are never seen 

 unless one is looking for them. In such cases the amount of 

 material which is available for study is very limited. Some 

 apparently valid species have been collected, described, and 

 often never seen again. Perhaps this adds interest and is all 

 the more reason for the publication of such a monograph as this 

 at the present time. It should be borne in mind, however, 

 that there is still an inexhaustible field of study for any student 

 who is sufficiently interested to follow it up. 



The writer wishes to express his thanks to all those who have 

 in any way contributed to the completion of the work to this 

 point. To attempt to acknowledge them all by name would 

 only result in embarrassing omissions and perhaj^s require more 

 space than warranted. 



Your cooperation is solicited in making this work a success 

 and thereby paving the way for something better. If it does 

 nothing more than to stimulate a renewed interest in this group 

 of fungi the author will feel that his efforts have not been in vain. 



New York, 



March, 1928 



