36 BRITISH FUNGI 



the risk of offending the powers that be. The larger fungi can be 

 readily seen, but the numerous smaller fry require to be carefully 

 looked for, and on coming to a promising place the only thing that 

 ensures success is to settle down and work, as my old friend. Dr. 

 M. C. Cooke, used to say, with a microscopic eye and serious intent. 

 If the promising place happens to be an old half-decayed trunk, 

 there is a chance of meeting with some of the minute species of 

 Agarics or Peziza nestling amongst the moss, or inside the loose 

 bark. As a rule, a superficial scan does not reveal the presence of 



Copt inns comatus growing by the suL ui .i ^-.uh in the Queen's Cottage 

 wood, Kew Gardens. 



such minute species ; the trunk must be carefully searched, a 

 small portion at a time, and when a fungus is found, its superficial 

 features, as seen under a pocket-lens, should be carefully noted 

 down on the spot, as so many features that are quite obvious in 

 the growing plant may disappear before it reaches home and is 

 examined, perhaps the next day. Heaps of rotten branches in 

 damp situations generally yield some very interesting species. 

 The branches should be moved very gently, and not pulled out of 

 the heap haphazard, otherwise any tender fungi present will be 

 completely destroyed. 



During exceptionally damp seasons, open pastures and lawns 

 furnish many interesting species not met with in woods. Again, 



