PREFACE. «> 



always represent with equal fidelity fomis or varieties known to 

 others. Allowance must therefore be made for reasonable varia- 

 tion, and a figure does not merit condemnation because it fails to 

 realize the ideal which anyone may have evolved for a particular 

 species. 



It has been objected that in so few instances figures of the 

 spores have been given, and this has been a source of regret, but 

 the method of printing adopted is not favourable to such small 

 objects as spores, which require to be rigidly accurate both in form 

 and dimensions. In laying down the outlines, it is the inner, and 

 not the outer surface of the line which bounds the object, and 

 hence in transferring minute objects, they are at once sensibly 

 diminished, and this diminution has a tendency to increase by the 

 inward spreading of the ground colour. For these reasons the 

 spores have seldom been attempted, and never with complete 

 satisfaction. In the sections with coloured spores, hopes are en- 

 tertained of surmounting the difficulty. 



I cannot permit these remarks to close without acknowledging 

 the assistance so freely rendered by those who have sent me either 

 living specimens, or placed their drawings at my disposal. My 

 thanks are especially due to the Rev. M. J. Berkeley (M.J.B.), 

 Miss Berkeley (R.E.B.), C. E. Broome (C.E.B.), Cedric Buck- 

 nail (C.B.), Dr. Bull (H.G.B.), Rev. Canon Du Port, T. Howse 

 (T.H.), G. Massee (G.M.), W. Phillips (W.P.), C. B. Plow- 

 right, W. G. Smith (W.G.S.), and Rev. John Stevenson. Their 

 initials are attached to the copies of their drawings. Had it 

 not been for the kind assistance so freely and cheerfully rendered, 

 these volumes could never have reached so successful a termina- 

 tion. Above all, the council and experience of my valued friend, 

 the Rev. M. J. Berkeley, has been to me a tower of strength, given 



