74 ETON NATURE-STUDY 



He should then collect a few different kinds of fungi (toadstools to 

 begin with) and identify them beyond doubt, after first sketching 

 them and noting down the place where he found them. Coloured 

 drawings, or still better, models may be made for a reference, while 

 the actual specimens may be fairly well preserved in a mixture of 

 formalin, alcohol, and water. (See Appendix, page 149.) By this 

 means he will gradually become acquainted with the specimens of 

 his district an initial step in every study of the kind. Later on, 

 after gaining experience in recognising different genera and species, 

 he may put to the test the more practical values of fungi. 



"SLIME FUNGI" (MYCETOZOA) 



There is one group of so-called fungi, the Mycetozoa, which in 

 many ways is the most remarkable of all. Of late years the general 

 tendency amongst naturalists is perhaps to place them in the animal 

 kingdom, but their plant nature is on the other hand stoutly main- 

 tained by many botanists. They may be found in the active state, 

 living in the shape of a slimy network upon decaying vegetable 

 bodies, for instance rotten tree stumps and the spent oak bark of tan- 

 yards. If allowed to dry up they become hard and brittle, and may 

 be kept in this state for years, again coming into full activity after 

 being kept in water for a few hours. The great interest of these 



" British Edible Fungi." Coloured plates. 8vo. Kegan Paul & Co. 1891. 6s. 



" Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms." 12mo. Coloured plates. 1894. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d. 



" Handbook of British Fungi." 2 vols., 8vo. 1870. Cuts. 25. Out of print. 



" Handbook of British Fungi." Second Edition. Agaricini only. 8vo. Williams & 

 Norgate. 14s. 6d. 



"Illustrations of British Fungi." In 8 vols., 8 vo. 1196 coloured plates. Published 

 at 30 guineas, sells now at about 20 guineas. 



" Rust, Smut, Mildew and Mould, Microscopic Fungi." Out of print, but can be ob- 

 tained for about 2s. 



" The Myxomycetes of Great Britain." 8vo. 24 plates. 1877. Williams & Norgate. 5s. 



