58 Transactions British Mycological Society. 



of finding absolute standards, but it should be our object to 

 arrange what is really known, so that it may be easily grasped 

 and utilized." 



" Utility may perhaps sound strange, . . .but in the end utility 

 will carry the day in this case, for systematic botany is a means 

 not an end." 



It is a truism of philosophy that only that knowledge imports 

 to man that relates to man. To pure intellect all facts are of 

 equal value, interest and potentiality; but our gradations of 

 value are individual, subjective and depend upon our human 

 interest. 



The formation of a classificatory system or the discovery of 

 the Natural System, did it exist, is of no moment to a single 

 human being apart from its human use. It is a tool simply, to 

 be applied to certain material for the furtherance of our interests 

 as living beings, with needs to be served in the examination of 

 other living beings. By their suitability for their given purpose 

 must all our tools be judged. 



The final analysis of the systematist's groups into their 

 constituent elements, profoundly important as its implica- 

 tions are from the physiological standpoint, takes place outside 

 the limits innate in systematic thus subjectively conceived, and 

 need not subvert its traditional method. 



ECOLOGY AND PHENOLOGY 

 OF SURREY MYCETOZOA. 



By the Rev. P. J. Alexander, C.J, 



The following notes on the Mycetozoa of Surrey are the result 

 of ten years' systematic study, combined with assiduous hunting 

 and careful annotation of the habitat of the species, the date 

 of their appearance and the previous weather conditions. All 

 information as to previous records, etc. that I was unable to 

 obtain first hand has been kindly supplied by Miss G. Lister, 

 F.L.S. 



The ground covered is practically the whole county, with 

 special attention to the central portion, within a ten mile radius 

 of Weybridge. I am of opinion that one obtains better results, 

 by a more concentrated attention to a restricted area, than by 

 going further afield. Having a limited amount of leisure, I found 

 myself compelled, by circumstances, to hunt for the greater 



