BRITISH BASIDIOMYCETyE 309 



In treating the species, synonyms are given, and a reference 

 where possible to a figure. The descriptions are based on those of the 

 original authors ; the spore size is given where known, and the 

 authority where the measurement is copied. Habit, season, and rarity 

 are noted ; *' v. v." indicates those species — an extraordinary number, — 

 which the author has seen in a living condition. The descriptions are 

 mostly very full, and the salient specific characters are italicised. 

 Those whose studies have been confined to previous British works 

 will find the splitting-off of several genera somewhat bewildering at 

 first, as, for example, Boletus into Boletus, Gyroporus, Tylopilus, 

 JBlicBoporus, Boletinus and Gyrodon ; but as these correspond more 

 or less to the old sections of the genera the difiicultj^ will soon 

 cease to be a]>parent. In cases where a species is transferred from its 

 old position, it is here given with an indication of its new location. 



The generic uRines Ifufinus, Folysaccum, Acetahilaria, CJiitonia, 

 and Trogia are replaced for various reasons by Gyriopliallus, Biso- 

 lithus, Locellaria, Glarkeinda ?i\\^ Blicatura respectively: tlie fact 

 that most field-workers are not likely to encounter any but the first- 

 named renders the changes less regrettable. The only new generic 

 name is Glaucospora. which replaces the already occupied name 

 Glilorospora used by Massee. 



A comparison with older works will show the greatest changes in 

 the resupinate fungi. For the last quarter of a century more and 

 more attention has been paid to these forms in all countries where 

 mycologists abound. Very little can be made out of many of the old 

 descriptions, which took no account of microscopic characters ; and 

 their study, like that of moulds, is an indoor one. The present 

 account puts our British species in order and forms a basis for the 

 addition of the numerous continental species which are certain to be 

 found in this country. 



The present work includes descriptions of all the species which 

 have been recorded as British, excepting in cases where they are 

 clearly identical with other species. It is perhaps doubtful whether 

 certain of these will ever be found again, but the more experience a 

 mycologist has the more careful is he of excluding species which have 

 been described in any detail. The species are *' split " rather than 

 *' lumped " ; but as Mr. liea is far and away our ablest authority on 

 the group and our most experienced field worker, such splitting is to 

 be commended. 



Lack of space forbids a detailed account of the transfer of species 

 such as Gollyhia dryophila to Marasmius and GantJiarellus auran- 

 tiaciis to Glitocyhe. A very complete index will enable the novice to 

 find his way about, and a full list of references sujjiplies the necessary 

 literature. 



It is rare in these days to be able to commend the low price of 

 a scientific work ; that of the present volume (wdiich is splendidly 

 produced in the manner we expect from the Cambridge Press) was 

 made possible by the generosity of the members of the British 

 Mycological Society, who, as a tribute to the work of Mr. Kea for 

 British Mycology, contributed £250 as a subsidy. In the opinion of 

 the w^-iter the volume is the best work on the subject since the 

 pioneer studies of Berkeley and will take its stand with Plowright's 

 Uredinecd and Lister's Mycetozoa as a standard monograph. 



J. Ramsbottom. 



