368 Prominent Yorkshire Workers. 



After several years' close work with the flowering plants, 

 he commenced the study of Cryptogamic botany. The 

 Phanerogams were not forsaken, but occupied a minor place 

 in his studies. He attended the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union 

 Fungus Foray at Bramhope and Harewood, with Leeds as 

 centre in 1888, and desired to know more about Fungi. On 

 the recommendation of Mr. G. Massee, who was present as 

 leader, he took up its study, Mr. Massee pointing out that if 

 he wanted to do any original botanical field work he must 

 study the fungi, as certainly numerous species remained 

 undiscovered. This prophesy has been fulfilled. Mosses and 

 Hepatics also shared his attention for a while. 



In his efforts to work up the Cryptogamic Flora of the 

 extensive old parish of Halifax, he was ably seconded by Mr. 

 James Needham, of Hebden Bridge, who collected extensively 

 in that district ; and who rarely missed a week sending a 

 consignment of Cryptogams of one kind or another to Halifax 

 for examination. This occurred during eight or nine months 

 of the year, for nearly twenty years. 



Mr. Crossland, who is always ready to acknowledge assis- 

 tance, says that our old and valued contributor Mr. M. B. 

 Slater, of Malton, Mr. J. A. Wheldon, of Liverpool, and Mr. 

 S. M. Macvicar, of Invermoidart, rendered him considerable 

 help with the Mosses and Hepatics ; Mr. W. West, with the 

 Algge, and Mr. J. A. Martindale with the Lichens, for the 

 ' Flora of Halifax.' 



Eventually, however, he found that he must practically 

 confine himself to the fungi, as this group began to occupy 

 most of the spare time from his business as a Knight-of-the- 

 Cleaver, which he commenced in 1864. Since 1890, when he 

 took in a managing partner, he has had a fair share of time for 

 botanical work, and became, as he once said, a ' half-timer.' 



Much time has been devoted to describing and drawing 

 fungi in their natural colours. These drawings have been 

 exhibited at the meetings of the Yorkshire Naturalists' L'nion, 

 and have always attracted attention for their faithful drawing 

 and colouring, as well as for their picturesque effect. It is 

 doubtful whether there is more than one private collection in 

 the kingdom, drawn direct from nature by the owner, to equal 

 it. The drawings of the Discomycetes are the most numerous, 

 as Mr. Crossland specialised on this section. 



The knowledge he acquired in any branch of botany he 



Naturalist, 



