952 Wager: The Study of Fungi. 
what valuable work can be done by a local Commttee wher 
organised and patiently carried on for a series of years; but 
it must not be forgotten that much valuable work on similar 
lines has been carried out by other Natural History Societies, 
and by the British Mycological Society. 
The charming coloured drawings* by Mrs. William Steb- 
bing, Mrs. T. R. Stebbing and Mr. Charles Crossland, give some 
idea of the large variety and beauty of many of the forms, 
which will be a revelation to those who have paid little or no: 
attention to this group of plants. The stereoscopic photo- 
graphs* by Mr. Alfred Clarke, show what possibilities are open 
to the student in the direction of accurate and life-like repre- 
sentation of the form and structure of fungi, and of groups of 
fungi in their natural surroundings, and, together with the 
beautifully executed artistic photographs,* the work of Mr. 
Peck, show how. valuable photography may be in giving us. 
faithful and accurate records for future reference. It is 
possible that before long the fascinating process of photo- 
graphy in colours will be called in to aid us in our studies, and 
we shall then have not only permanent records of form and 
structure, but also, what is equally important to the student 
of fungi, permanent records of the extraordinary variation in 
colour of which so many species are susceptible. 
The attentions of Natural History Societies have been 
mainly directed towards recording lists of species for various 
localities. These lists have been compiled in various ways ; 
sometimes a mere list of the names has been given; others. 
give details of the habitats and stations in which the species. 
are found; and sometimes the characteristics of the more im- 
portant species have been added, The list published by the 
Yorkshire Mycological Committee is arranged in accordance 
with the five County Divisions, or vice-counties of Yorkshire,. 
as employed by H. C. Watson in his ‘ Topographical Botany.’ 
It gives for each species the district, the habitat, the date 
when first found, and also some useful-notes on the distribution 
of various forms, their biological characteristics, their edible or 
poisonous nature, and their economic importance in respect 
of diseases of crops and garden plants. 
So far as the larger fungi are concerned, it 1s probable that 
we now have, as a result of the observations made by societies 
and individual observers in various parts of the country, a 
fairly complete list of the species and varieties to be found in 
Great Britain. But there is still room for a more detailed 
study of the counties and vice-counties and the preparation of 
a single list drawn up either on the lines of Watson’s great work 
for flowering plants and ferns, or possibly on a more natural 
* These were exhibited at the Conference. 
Naturalist, 
