107 



like 5'. fragosa in appearance, but the two plants are not very 

 closely related. S. fragosa Sksd. differs in having a more adnate 

 calyx with spreading, narrower lobes; prominently 3-nerved, 

 sessile petals; subulate, shorter filaments; and shorter follicles 

 that have shorter, yet more strongly curved beaks. 



WiLHELM SUKSDORF 



BOOK REVIEW 

 The Larger British Fungi* 



"The object of this Handbook," says Mr. Rendle in the 

 preface, "is to suppty an introduction to the study of the larger 

 British fungi. When considering the preparation of a new edition 

 of the 'Guide to Sowerby's Models of British Fungi,' by the late 

 W. G. Smith, which had served also as an introduction to the 

 systematic study of the larger fungi, it was thought that its 

 value might be increased by including all the British genera of 

 Basidiomycetes. This has now been done, and additional figures 

 have been added from Smith's 'Synopsis of British Basidio- 

 mycetes.' The Introduction has been greatly extended, the 

 descriptions generally have been revised and enlarged, and 

 additional matter of economic and biological interest has been 

 included. Mr. Ramsbottom has, in fact, rewritten the book, 

 while retaining the form and arrangement of the original 

 'Guide'." 



The volume contains 222 pages of text and 141 figures. The 

 introduction treats of fungi in general and their main groups; 

 fairy rings ; luminosity ; mycorrhiza ; changes in color when sporo- 

 phores are cut or broken; poisonous and edible fungi; fungi as 

 food; and the ecology of the fungi. Under Basidiomycetes, the 

 author treats at some length not only their classification but also 

 their cytology, morphology, and development. In connection 

 with Amaniata phalloides, the deadly poisonous fungi are dis- 

 cussed, with symptoms and treatment; while under PsalUota 

 campestris the growing of mushrocms is described. In the same 

 way, much interesting and valuable information is distributed 

 throughout the volume in connection with suggestive species. 



* Ramsbottom, J. A Handbook of the Larger British Fungi, pp. i-iv, 

 1-222. British Museum, London, 1923. Price 7/6. 



