200 The Beneficial and Injurious Influences of Fungi. 



specimens is advised, as work of this kind enables the student 

 to grip the characters and leading features better than by 

 any other means, for after a drawing or painting is made the 

 image of the plant and its salient features are often strongly 

 impressed upon the memory. . 



A leading spirit is very desirable to give inspiration and 

 guidance, and this must be found, if not amongst the members 

 themselves, then such a leader must be sought for in some 

 expert outside the Society. 



The specimens and classification should be explained and 

 described in simple language so as not to deter the student. 



Scientific terminology is quite right when the majority of 

 the audience can follow the speaker, but it is often discouraging 

 to the earnest enquirers for information ; it must be remem- 

 bered that most of our members in local Societies have not 

 had the previous training to enable them to understand the 

 mysteries of Nature couched in professional phraseology. 

 Let them be led by degrees to unfold the treasures which 

 Nature offers to those who seek her shrine. 



After the student has decided to take up the study of 

 Mycology, a general review should be made of the classification, 

 and before long, some section of this large subject will appeal 

 to him. It is very desirous that whilst knowing ' something 

 about everything,' he should endeavour to know ' everything 

 about something ; ' in other words he should specialise on 

 some particular class, order or genus. By so doing, he will 

 derive more pleasure and satisfaction, and also be able probably 

 to contribute a mite to the general stock of knowledge on his 

 particular selected subject. 



The student must not be content with names alone, but 

 should strive for an intimate knowledge of the structures, forms 

 and life histories of these organisms which are often of great 

 microscopic interest, opening out thereby a new world of beauty 

 and wonder with appearances as diversified and fruits as multi- 

 farious as the trees and plants of the familiar world, to be 

 enjoyed only by those who delight in perusing the picture 

 book of nature. 



And Nature, the old nurse, took 



The child upon her knee 

 Saying ' Here is a story-book 



Thy Father has written for thee : ' 

 ' Come wander with me,' she said, 



' Into regions yet untrod, 

 And read what is still unread 



In the manuscript of God.' 



Longfellow. 



Naturalist, 



