i9i4 _I 9 I 5-] Notes on the Microfungi of the Forth A rea. 1 8 1 



&c, than to the rusts, cup-fungi, and various other groups 

 which seem generally to attract a larger share of popular 

 study. 



As regards the published sources of information, various 

 records for these and other cryptogams are to be found in 

 the works of Dr Robert Kaye Greville (1794-1866). The 

 district around Edinburgh is especially notable as having 

 been the field wherein for many years he conducted his 

 fruitful researches in cryptogainic botany. At an early 

 period in his career Greville entered with enthusiasm into 

 the study of the lower forms of plant life, undeterred by 

 difficulties and discouragements which might well have ex- 

 tinguished the zeal of a less ardent lover of nature. Besides 

 possessing high natural gifts and uncommonly acute powers 

 of accurate observation, he was a very skilful draughtsman 

 who took delight in depicting the many interesting objects 

 which came under his notice when engaged in the pursuit 

 of his favourite studies. Even after the lapse of ninety 

 years, the coloured plates contained in the six volumes of 

 his 'Scottish Cryptogamic Flora' (1823-1828) can hardly 

 be surpassed for beauty of execution and fidelity of detail. 

 The results of his researches were more fully embodied in 

 his well-known 'Flora Elinensis,' published in 1824, con- 

 taining a veritable storehouse of valuable information, of 

 which later writers on the subject have readily availed them- 

 selves. Many of Greville's records are referred to in the 

 'Flora Scotica,' published in 1821 by Sir William Jackson 

 Hooker. 



Additional notices of the occurrence of species of micro- 

 fungi in the Forth Area are to be found in the Eev. John 

 Stevenson's ' Mycologia Scotica,' issued in 1879, which affords 

 a summary of existing information up to that period. A 

 useful list of published works, and other suurces of in- 

 formation relating to Scottish mycology, is contained in the 

 introductory chapter of Stevenson's book. Various " Sup- 

 plements to Mycologia Scotica " have also appeared in 

 successive volumes of the ' Scottish Naturalist.' 



Reference must also be made to various valuable papers 

 and lists of Scottish microfungi published by Professor James 

 W. H, Trail, M.D., Aberdeen ; and in particular (so far as the 



