20 OUTLINES OF BRITISH FUNGOLOGY. 



Sucli, on a general review, are the objects which engage 

 the study of the Fungologist. He will not at first, perhaps, 

 be able in every case to assert at once, without danger of 

 mistake, that any given production is a Fungus, because some 

 of the Lichens, or even Algae, come so near to Fungi. But this 

 is true only of a limited number of plants which will not natu- 

 rally come under his investigation at first. There are multi- 

 tudes which he can determine satisfactorily without the aid of 

 anything more than a common lens, and to these he will do 

 well to pay attention in the first instance. If he wishes to 

 become acquainted with structm'e, he must have recourse to 

 a microscope, and he will then be able better to appreciate the 

 nice shades which separate Fungi from neighbouring classes 

 of the Vegetable Kingdom. It is a most fatal error in the 

 student to attach himself in the first instance to the naming 

 of every black speck he may chance to find, without a precise 

 knowledge of structure ; for in this case he is sure to end as 

 a mere collector, without any title to the name of Fungologist. 



It may be well to present in a tabular form the general 

 outline which has been presented to my readers, noticing where 

 practicable popular examples of each division. 



SPORIFEROUS FUNGI. 



1. HYMENOMYCETES. 



a. Agaricini. Mushroom. Chantarelle. 



b. Polyporei. Sap-balls. 



c. Hydnei. Spine-bearing Fungi. 



d. Auricularini. Stercum of Oak and Poplar. 



e. Clavati. Clavaria. 



f. Tremellini. Jew's-ear. 



2. GASTEKOMYCETES. 

 a. Hypogcei. Red Truffle of Bath. 



