PREFACE. 
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Tue design of this work -is to provide the English 
student with the means of acquiring a knowledge of the 
Discomycetes of Britain. The fifth volume of “ English 
Flora,” Berkeley’s “Outlines,” and Cooke’s “ Handbook,” 
each well served this purpose in its time, and I indulge 
the hope that the present work may be equally useful. 
No trouble has been spared in verifying and extend- 
ing microscopic observations of the morphology, for in 
no instance where an authentic specimen was accessible 
has the opportunity of examining it been neglected. 
The readiness with which the Rev. M. J. Berkeley, my 
lamented friend the late Mr. C. E. Broome, and Dr. M. C. 
Cooke have entrusted to me some of their unique 
specimens, calls for my grateful acknowledgment; as 
does the kindness of the Kew and British Museum 
authorities, in allowing me at all times ready access to 
their important herbaria. 
When Dr. M. C. Cooke became aware of my intention 
to undertake this work, he not only generously handed 
over to me the whole of his valuable manuscript notes, 
