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ECONOMIC MYCOLOGY. 



G. MASSEE, F.L.S. 



The importance of the correct determination of species cannot 

 be over-estimated. Whatever branch of botany is followed, 

 its real value depends upon being quite certain as to the par- 

 ticular species dealt with. It has been clearly demonstrated 

 that many of the apparent contradictions, so general in mor- 

 phological and cytological dissertations, have originated in 

 mistaking one species for another. A describes some pecu- 

 liarities of structure or otherwise, present in a given species. 

 B promptly follows in line to corroborate or refute the dis- 

 covery, mistakes his species, and much argument follows. 

 Notwithstanding the value of being able to correctly dis- 

 criminate species, the fact that being able to do so fails to ad- 

 vance our knowledge in any way as bearing on the why and 

 wherefore of such species, in other words, it does not touch the 

 great problem concerning origin, affinities, etc. 



As a body we are justly proud of our ' Fungus Flora of 

 Yorkshire,' nevertheless, we must endeavour to maintain a 

 correct sense of proportion, and not become slaves to list-making 

 alone. We have now a thoroughly representative Fungus 

 Flora of our county, and the addition of a few more or less, 

 can make no difference from the standpoint of pure knowledge. 

 The area of our county is too insignificant, as is also that of 

 Great Britain, to be admitted as a factor in the distribution 

 of Fungi over the globe. 



Many Fungi are unique amongst plants in appearing under 

 very different forms, during different periods of their develop- 

 ment, the different forms often growing on different host- 

 plants. These various forms were at one time considered as 

 independent species, and received special names. Such names 

 must remain until proof is forthcoming, that two or more such 

 forms are in reality but stages in the life-cycle of one species. 

 This is the kind of work that Yorkshire mycologists might 

 attempt. 



Between sixty and seventy thousand species of Fungi are 

 known ; out of these it is certain that at least twenty five thou- 

 sand so-called species are nothing more than phases of other 

 higher forms. There are some hundreds of such in the list of 

 jiames of Yorkshire Fungi, and it becomes the duty of Yorkshire 



Naturalist, 



