INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF FUNUI. 187 



In the volume before us Dr. Cooke endeavours to supply the 

 student with a text-book which shall serve as an introduction to 

 the study of Fungi from the modern standpoint. As the title 

 indicates, the work is divided into three parts dealing with — ■ 

 (I.) Organography, (II.) Classification, and (III.) Distribution, 

 respectively. 



In Part I. the various forms of mycelia are described, and 

 chapters are given upon the carpophore, form of receptacle and 

 varieties of its contents, fertilisation, saprophytism and parasitism, 

 and such other points relating to the general morphology and 

 physiology of Fungi as shall be of importance in enabling the 

 student to understand the systematic part which follows. The 

 treatment of the subject met with in these chapters is least satis- 

 factory, and does not strike us very favourably in some parts. The 

 use of the term "mycelium," and its plural, " myceha," in Chapter I. 

 is not always clear, because of the apparently arbitrary manner in 

 which the indefinite and definite articles are used or left out at 

 will. In speaking of the fructification, modern views of the various 

 reproductive bodies are not sufficiently referred to or explained — 

 the term " sporidium" is used for " ascospore," and generally there 

 is a tendency throughout the volume to lean towards the earlier 

 systematist's conceptions. Perhaps there is some excuse for this, 

 as the title of the work states that it is intended " for the use of 

 collectors." However, as Dr. Cooke specially wishes his collectors 

 to be more than the term implies, it might have been well to 

 extend the title to include students, and worth while to devote a 

 considerable paragraph to the views of others than pure systematists 

 in regard to these bodies. A clear, complete, up-to-date account of 

 the term " spore " and all its modifications would not have been out of 

 place, and would have tended to remove one of the chief stumbling- 

 blocks which confront all beginners. 



Part II., treating upon the Classification of Fungi, is un- 

 doubtedly good. An introductory chapter on Fungi in general 

 concludes with a summary of the views of Brefeld, and later on the 

 schemes of arrangement adopted by Saccardo are discussed and 

 explained. More detailed accounts of the various families and their 

 subsidiary divisions are given, beginning with the Basidiomycetes, 

 and working down to the simpler forms. Most of these chapters 

 are well done, and, although scarcely suited to the beginner, they 

 cover the whole range of classification in a clear manner, and 

 indicate a wide knowledge and experience in dealing with repre- 

 sentatives of this branch of the vegetable kingdom. The weakest 

 chapter is that upon " Schizomycetes and Saccharomycetes " ; the 

 mere fact of these groups being thrown together, and the absence 

 of bibliographical reference to the researches of Emil Hansen and 

 his pupils upon the latter, is perhaps sufticient evidence of its 

 incompleteness. 



An account of geographical distribution, collecting, and a useful 

 glossary, complete the volume. 



The copious bibliography at the conclusion of each separate 

 chapter is a useful addition in guiding students to further work. 



