NOTICES OF BOOKS. 



Syllofje Funfjorum omnium hucusque cognitorum. Digessit P. A. Sac- 

 CARDO. Pyreiiomycetes, Vol. I., pp. xix., 766. Patavii : 

 sumptibus auctoris typis Semiuarii. 1882. 



The first volume of this valuable contribution to mycological 

 literature has just made its appearance. It consists of 766 pages 

 of descriptive -matter, including 2849 s^Decies of Pyrenomycetous 

 fungi, and the second volume, completing the Pyrenomycetes, is 

 promised during next year. The value of a work like the present 

 consists mainly in collecting together from the Floras, and scattered 

 Journals and Transactions, all described species, and arranging 

 them in some order. Whether we agree as to the merits of the order 

 adopted is a secondary consideration, and may be provided for by a 

 copious Index. There can be but one opinion, however, that the 

 bringing together of all described species in one work is worthy 

 of allc ommendation. In so far as we have yet been able to test the 

 present work, it appears to have been carefully compiled. There 

 is, nevertheless, one omission, which seems to us important. 

 There is no indication, under the various siDCcies, as to which have 

 been seen or examined by the author, and which have not. Some 

 such i3lan as that adopted by Fries, in his ' Hymenomycetes 

 Europasi,' of appending a letter or two (v. v.) or (V. ic.) at the end 

 of the diagnosis, would have added to the value of the work. As it 

 stands, we have no evidence of what species Saccardo has himself 

 seen and examined, and what he has not. 



In a work of this kind the labour must be immense, and it 

 would be ungracious to overlook the great advantages of such 

 volumes and criticise the details too minutely. It can hardly be 

 expected to be remunerative, so that at least we may do well to be 

 grateful. With the completion of the second volume we trust that 

 an exhaustive index will be forthcoming. A really good index to 

 such a work is absolutely indispensable. The present volume 

 contains the 



Perisporiacere — Spha3riace£e — 



Erysiphese. Allantosporae. 



Perisporie£e. Phajosporae. 



Capnodie^B. Hyalosporae. 



Hyalodidym^. 

 Pha?odidymae. 



The mention of these divisions of the Sphariacem is sufficient to 

 show that the arrangement is a purely artificial one, which cannot at 

 the same time take account of natural affinities. It may be that such 

 an arrangement has its advantages for a ' Sylloge ' ; whether so or 

 not we see no reason to discuss the question now. Of course 

 there are errors to be detected, the author himself would not 

 expect otherwise ; but hitherto we have recognised none of sufficient 

 magnitude to interfere with the general value and utility of the 

 work. We may, in passing, express some surprise that such 

 genera as Sjmrormia and Chcctomiiun should find place in the 

 Sjihccriacecc, and not in the Perisporiacecc. 



The paper and typography are good, two points of no small 

 importance in a work of constant reference. Experience only can 

 fully appraise and appreciate its value. M. C. C. 



