vi PREFACE. 
collected with a view of publishing a new edition of the 
“ Handbook,” but afforded me at all times his valuable 
advice and assistance. How far these advantages have 
been utilized must be left to the judgment of the reader. 
The subject of classification will not fail to awaken 
some controversy. As every author has his own views, 
I may be permitted to have mine. To adhere as closely 
as possible to the long-accepted Friesian system has 
been the practice of English authors; but this has been 
carried a little too far, owing to our “insular prejudices,” 
and the time has come when a new departure must be 
made. While avoiding the fondness for innovation 
displayed by our Teutonic, and indeed, though in a less 
degree, our Gallic, neighbours, I have retained in the 
form of subgenera some of their more useful groups. I 
foresee many objections that can be urged to the method 
adopted, but prefer to let it stand on its own merits 
rather than enter here into a lengthened justification. 
Many of the diagnoses have been altered or added 
to without reserve, where it appeared to me necessary, 
and others have been borrowed from one or other of 
the authors cited in connection with them. Professor 
Karsten’s “ Mycologia Fennica” and M. Boudier’s 
“Mémoire sur les Ascobolés” have been of great assist- 
ance, the former especially in the measurement of 
sporidia. ‘ 
The habitats are chiefly those of “English Flora,” 
Cooke’s “ Handbook,” Berkeley and Broome’s “ Notices 
of British Fungi,” with such as have come within my 
own knowledge. To have added those contained in the 
