264 THE NORTHERN MICROSCOPIST. 
with Fungi from the diseased house fly; and specially look at 
your cellar. But leave home, go a walk, what a pleasure it is to 
have some object to attain. A blank walk, with no remote end in 
view, is nothing like as good as that which occupies mind and 
body too. Outside your own house, the leaves of the trees, the 
bark of the trees, the branch of the tree stripped of its bark will 
be very apt to yield specimens. Get into the lanes, the hedges, 
and ditches, the inside of a wood, still better, the edge of it ; look 
at the gate posts, the stiles, the grass under your feet, the corn- 
field, the decaying sticks, the utterly rotten wood ; all these things 
positively invite us, at some period of their existence, to study the 
Fungi. 
Again: why should Fungi be so much neglected when they, in 
common with other studies encourage the generosity and large- 
heartedness of man. There is, depend upon it, more than an 
earthly chord struck and well kept in tune by the distribution of 
specimens. Such an act gives joy to him who parts with his plants 
and great pleasure to him who receives them. This is, I venture 
to say, one very great end of Fungi, that their collection and 
dispersion promotes the nobler feelings of man. And quite 
right too, for who that is worthy the name of a scientific student 
would niggardly keep to himself that which would rejoice 
another. The specimen probably cost no more than the joy of 
gathering it, and sore must sit the conscience which will not lend, 
share, or give. My experience is that never once have I asked 
any fungologist for any help in the way of plants but that help has 
been granted where it has been possible amongst our English 
friends, would that I could say the same of every one; and my 
own belief is that the tendency of any branch of science, where 
co-operation under difficulties draws men together, is to encourage 
a feeling that the possession of objects of rarity, be they plants 
or books upon plants, is an accidental circumstance, for after all 
men must pull well, and pull together. 
The word difficulties was used just now. There are severe diffi- 
culties. All is not so smooth as what you have hitherto heard, and 
it is only fair that both sides of the question should be placed 
before you. Let us then see some of the troubles connected with 
mycology. Pre-eminently stands the want of books with plates of 
excellence. There are so few men who study this especial depart- 
ment that the inducement to publish dwindles away from want of 
support. ‘The investment needed to publish a really standard 
work is about as bad as could be desired. Any one who attempts 
it may feel pretty sure that he will not be repaid for his trouble. 
The purchasers of works on fungology are very few indeed, hence 
the sale is very limited, therefore few copies can be produced ; these 
works in a number of years become very scarce, then their value 
