184 



phalia and Mycena (see " Monographia Hymeuomycetum," pp. 177, 195); of 

 course I suggest a similar transposition of those subgenera of Agarics which have 

 coloured spores. 



The position of Fries' new subgenus, Hiatula (which was unknown to 

 me when my pamphlet was printed), but which I had provided a space for, is 

 shown by the blank position at the top right-hand corner of the first plate. — 

 Worthington G. Smith, North Grove West, Mildmay Park. 



Fourth, and lastly, the "Clavis Agaricinorum " has been again re-pub- 

 lished in full, and its arrangement closely followed, by Mr. M. C. Cooke, in 

 the excellent " Handbook of British Fungi," now in course of publication. 



The correctness of Mr. "Worthington Smith's views as expressed in the 

 " Clavis Agaricinorum" is thus placed beyond doubt. During the very few 

 months it has been published it has received signal approval. It makes no 

 claim to scientific originality, and yet it secures it, by the clear and simple 

 arrangement by which it brings forward facts previously known. To the 

 student in this difficult branch of Mycology it cannot be otherwise than most ad- 

 vantageous, since it cannot fail to impress vividly on his mind the great im- 

 portance of observing accurately the leading characters of the Agarics. The 

 " Clavis" has thus gained for itself a place in all class books on FunguseB. 



To Mr. Worthington Smith this favourable verdict of Science must be 

 very gratifying, and the Woolhope Club rejoices with him the more readily for 

 the position the success has given to their own proceedings. 



Postscript. As these pages were passing through the press another letter 

 was received from Professor Fries, dated January 22, 1871. In that letter Fries 

 suggests the removal of Agaricus reticulatus and A. aleuriatus from the subgenus 

 Galera into the top right hand blank position of Plate III, of Mr. Smith's 

 "Clavis." Fries considers these two species to be the type of a new subgenus 

 analogous with Pluteus on Plate II. and Hiatula on Plate I. For this third blank 

 position filled by Fries he suggests the name Pluteopsis. The members of the 

 club will at once perceive the correctness of the Swedish Botanists' views, as both 

 the species in question have free gills and a parasitic habit, like the analogous 

 Pluteus and Hiatula. 



C*3i 



