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THE STUDY OF FUNGI. 145 
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF FUNGI.* 
BY THE REV. J. E. VIZE, M.A. 
There are very few people who study the interesting plants called 
Fungi. Hence a leading object in preparing a paper on the subject will 
necessarily be to try to allure some one onwards to their study, or at all 
events, if their study would occupy too much labour and research, to 
unfold a fragment of their importance in the vegetable world, and so to 
get for them a little more consideration than has been granted them up 
to the present time. 
The wonder is that fungi have been so much neglected, because they 
would, if studied, fill up many a period of time which now is probably not so 
well employed. If a man be fond of his microscope, he will detect in them 
shapes as various as the most ardent lover of change can desire; he will 
find tints, among the colours of black, brown, and yellow, as gradual and 
progressive as anywhere; he will notice symmetrical forms as exquisite 
as gracefulness can be ; he will be able to make many a valuable addition 
to his own knowledge, and confirm the opinions of others, or confute 
them, by noticing what he sees; he will get a steady progression from 
one form to another, from one order to another, until he finds how the 
works of God ramify in every direction, and are all in themselves perfect. 
There is a rich fund of science coupled with pleasure among the fungi to 
the man who merely takes his microscope and examines slides under it; 
but the microscope need not be used merely as a means of looking at a 
pretty thing; the adjunct of a camera will prove of great service, drawings 
should be made and always to one uniform scale of considerable magni- 
tude. After making the sketch, the draughtsman may use his talent 
with the brush, and drive care and idleness away by colouring the 
magnified drawings on paper from the object still visible under the 
instrument. 
But suppose there be no microscope, and that the privileges just 
named be not easily attainable, if such a thing be possible in these days, 
when first-rate instruments are to be purchased at so low a price. Well, 
of course, a great loss is sustained; but even then there are in fungi 
forms so large that, at a rough estimate, one-third of the British fungi 
need no more than the unassisted eye for their examination. Nor should 
it be forgotten that the present extensive use of the microscope is of 
recent date, that the pioneers of mycology had not the advantages we 
have ; yet, to the honour of some of them be it said, they often surprise 
us who try to aspire to their knowledge. Hence none need despair. 
There is such a vast field of work before us all that the fungi may be 
worked with or without the microscope; the whole range may be studied 
at once, or it may be divided and sub-divided, and there will still be work 
for a lifetime. 
See too the advantages attaching to the study of fungi from their 
being within reach of everyone. If you have a garden attached to your 
* Read before the Chester Natural Science Society, February 22nd, 1877. 
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