PREFACE 



DURING recent years it may be truly said that our know- 

 ledge of Fungi, from morphological, biological, and 

 physiological standpoints respectively, has increased by 

 leaps and bounds. This extended knowledge is reflected 

 in the improved method of classification adopted at the 

 present time, which, in many instances, is no longer solely 

 based on morphological analogies derived from a cursory 

 examination of mature forms, but on the sequence of 

 development and linking up in many instances of the 

 various phases included in the life-cycle of a species. 



The object of this little book is to serve, in some 

 measure, as an introduction to those comparatively new 

 lines of research, and also to indicate where fuller infor- 

 mation may be obtained. 



The chapter on * Biologic Forms ' was kindly prepared 

 at my request by Mr. E. S. Salmon, F.L.S., our chief 

 exponent of this subject, to whom I take this opportunity 

 of repeating my best thanks. 



I have no particular axe to grind, and in utilising the 

 information culled from various authors, if I have in any 



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