PREFATORY NOTE. 



rr^HE collection of specimens of Mycetozoa in the 

 -L Herbarium of the British Museum has been greatly 

 increased in recent years. The additions include the large 

 collection of the late C. E. Broome, bequeathed by him 

 to the Museum, and that of H. W. Kavenel, purchased from 

 his widow. 



It was necessary to make a critical examination of the 

 whole of the materials in the Herbarium. Mr. Arthur 

 Lister, who has devoted much attention to these organisms, 

 was fortunately able to undertake this work ; and he agreed, 

 at the same time to prepare a monograph of the whole 

 class based on this examination. 



This volume, the result of his labours, contains descrip- 

 tions not only from the specimens in the Museum, but 

 also from types in various public and private Herbaria, and 

 from his own rich collection. Mr. Lister has generously 

 presented a large series of specimens to the Museum, so 

 that the Herbarium now contains types of all the species 

 described by him in this monograph. 



The volume is fully illustrated with plates mechanically 

 reproduced from faithful water-colour drawings by the 

 author and by his accomplished daughter, to whom in the 

 Introduction Mr. Lister acknowledges his obligations. 



WILLIAM CARRUTHERS. 



Noveimber, 1894. 



