356 Wager: The Study of Fungi. 
conversant with them, and increasing the number with 
experience.’ 
When we consider the ubiquitous nature of the Fungi, their 
constant association with all kinds of putrefaction and decay, 
the part they play as fermentative agents, in the production of 
diseases both of animals and plants, the ease with which they 
are disseminated through the air or carried about in various 
ways, their edible and poisonous qualities, their destructive 
effects on timber, it is easy to understand how important such 
a systematic survey as that suggested may be in helping us to 
a more complete and detailed knowledge of the various prob- 
lems which arise. 
Here, in fact, is a piece of scientific investigation in which 
there can be no manner of doubt that Local Natural History 
Societies can take a very valuable share, which, in many of its 
aspects, is certainly not too difficult nor too indefinite for 
amateurs, who are prepared to give some little time to the 
study. Many of the problems are precise, and can be definitely 
stated, and if, as one of the results of these notes, the delegates 
of the respective societies return next year with details of the 
formation of new Mycological Committees, and of work already 
accomplished, I am quite sure they will be welcome, and we 
shall feel that our deliberations have not been in vain. 
4 5 
We learn from the Museums Journal that at a meeting of the Gorsedd 
at the Carmarthen Eisteddfod Dr. W. E. Hoyle was admitted as an 
Ovate with the bardic name ‘ Amgueddfab.’ As it means ‘Son of the 
Museum ’ we presume it is complimentary. 
On a fine plate in an Entomological Contemporary there is printed 
‘N.B.—The makers of the block, from which the plate was printed, in 
attempting to improve, as they thought, the wing-veining, have made 
it incorrect, and it must be ignored.’ Why not have made a fresh block ? 
From Messrs. Gurney & Jackson we have received Parts 6-7 of Major 
Barrett-Hamilton’s History of British Mammalia. These deal exclusively 
with Bats, Moles, and Hedgehogs. There is also a fine coloured plate of 
the Lesser Shrew. Major Barrett-Hamilton is continuing this work in the 
thorough way indicated in the earlier parts. 
Messrs. Flatters, Milborne & McKechnie, of Manchester, publish an 
interesting little Quarterly, The Micrologist. It contains many fine illus- 
trations of microscopic objects, such as sponge spicules, sections of parts 
of plants, etc. For the most part these have outline keys printed on 
transparent paper, which are placed immediately before the plates. The 
part before us (Vol, I., Part 5) has an interesting article on the ‘ Wheat 
Plant,’ by Mr. Abraham Flatters. There are also notes on Sponges, etc. 
The Sketch (September 13th, 1911, p. 307) makes an effort to dis- 
courage prospective attempts at swimming the Channel by a page of 
indifferent photographs of drawings of Cephalopoda. We may re-assure 
any intending swimmers, they are not in the least likely to be troubled 
by any of these creatures. Several are deep water forms, only found 
in the depths of the open sea ; of the remainder the size is measured in inches 
rather than feet, and they are shore forms. One, by the way, is drawn 
from a spirit specimen of a female Argonaut without the shell. 
Naturalist, 
