PREFACE 



When the North American Cup-Fungi (Operculates) was 

 issued in 1928, it was expected that this would be followed in a 

 reasonable time b\' a similar volume on Inoperculates. As the 

 work progressed, however, it became obvious that the task was so 

 tremendous that nothing approaching completeness could be 

 accomplished in one short life time. 



Fully realizing this, it has been decided to bring together at 

 this time, in one volume, the results of the observations of the 

 writer extending over a period of more than forty-five years as 

 well as those of his colleagues and coworkers in various parts of 

 North America. 



There are many controversial questions and the writer makes 

 no pretense that this is the last word in the treatment of species, 

 genera or families but merely a summary of the available facts 

 as they appear at the present time. It is hoped that this volume 

 may be as useful as the preceding one in stimulating observation, 

 and research in this obscure, interesting, and apparenth' inex- 

 haustible field. 



New York, 1948 



IX 



