620 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1762. 



will be numbered according to each genus, and a short explanation be put at the 

 bottom of each plate, as in those annexed to this treatise. 12. To the end that 

 beginners in botany, the illiterate, and even the country people, may be able to 

 know the genera of the fungi, as far as is necessary for them, the author hopes 

 that before next Easter, or certainly not long after, copper-plates, engraved and 

 coloured, will be published, representing all the genera in such a manner that 

 they may be easily known. These plates, along with descriptions, will make 

 another separate volume, which will be intitled, Isagoge in Fungorum Bavariae 

 Historiam, &c. 13. When all the fungi of Bavaria are finished, it is proposed 

 to go on with such foreign ones as can be procured. 14. As soon as the collec- 

 tion of the fungi of Bavaria shall be completed, a new and last volume will fol- 

 low, containing accurate descriptions, explications, synonyms of authors, and 

 whatever else may be thought necessary. This volume will be intitled, Fungorum 

 Bavariae Historia. 



Thus far the author, in regard to his proposals, which, as far as can be judged 

 by the plan and specimen, seem to deserve the encouragement of the curious. 

 Every one who is conversant in botany, knows how obscure and imperfect this 

 part of it still remains, after all that has been done on the subject. Micheli and 

 Dillenius were the first botanists that examined this order of plants with any de- 

 gree of accuracy; and though their observations are very considerable, and have 

 been of great service to succeeding botanists, yet Linneus, who mentions them 

 with applause, says, Philosophia Botanica, p. 241, that the order of fungi, to 

 the reproach of botany, still remains a chaos, as we are ignorant what is a species 

 and what a variety. Since the forementioned authors, Gleditschius, who wrote 

 a tract on the same subject, which is commended, expresses himself also to the 

 same purpose: for, speaking of Dillenius, in the preface, p. 5, he says, that his 

 genera are not only not well determined, but are even constructed in such a 

 manner as to contradict the natural characters; and as to Micheli, that though 

 he first determined the seeds of the fungi, yet his genera are too artificial ; and 

 therefore he himself follows the method of Linneus. Gleditschius seems to have 

 taken great pains about this subject; but candidly owns that, after all he had 

 been able to do, in order to distinguish species from varieties, by collecting all 

 the fungi he could find, disposing and describing them according to the degree 

 of similitude, yet he found himself often at a loss, and unable absolutely to de- 

 termine which side to take. 



Gleditschius's book was published in the year 1753, and is, Mr. H. believes, 

 the latest writer who has done much on this subject, except perhaps Scopoli, in 

 his Flora Carneolica, published anno 17^0, who differs from all the preceding 

 botanists in regard to species and varieties; and though his work has great merit. 



