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BOOK NOTICES. 

 An Elementary Text Book of British Fungi. W. Delisle Hay, 

 F.R.G.S. London : Swan, Sonnenschein, Lowrey & Co., 1887. 

 8vo ; illustrated with 59 plates and 5 tables. 



The comparatively small band of mycological students in Great 

 Britain naturally watch with eager interest the appearance of any 

 fresh book bearing upon their favourite study; hence, for some 

 months past Mr. Hay's work has been anxiously looked for by them. 

 It consists of a handsome octavo volume of some 238 pages, printed, 

 in a good readable type, and illustrated with 64 plates. 



In the preface the author says : ' It has never been my privilege, 

 as yet, to meet with any person versed in mycology from whom I 

 could derive instruction.' He is therefore entitled to our sympathy, 

 for not only is the subject one of acknowledged difficulty but all 

 the mycologists we know are emphatic in their statements as to the 

 benefit they have derived from attending the classical Fungus Forays 

 of the Woolhope Club, as well as the Scottish, the Epping Forest, 

 and the Yorkshire Union Meetings. The work comprises twelve 

 chapters and two appendices. In the chapter on the general features 

 of fungi the author divides these plants for the purposes of his book 

 into two groups, the one including 'all substantial, comparatively 

 large and fleshy fungi ' being comprehended under the name Mush- 

 rooms, while the title ' Moulds ' is employed to cover all minute forms. 



In the fifth chapter a detailed account is given of all terms 

 employed in the description of the Hymenomyces; this occupies 

 some fourteen pages, so that the student has now what has long been 

 wanted in our hand-books, a complete glossary of terms. This is one 

 of the most valuable chapters in the book. 



The eighth chapter contains a comprehensive catalogue of 221 

 Esculent British Fungi, with full descriptions of each species; we 

 however find included amongst them A. ccesaj-eiis, Polyporus tuberaster 

 and P. corylinus^ which are not British. Many of the species which 

 the author includes amongst the Esculent British Fungi we hardly 

 expected to find so placed, although it is only right to say that, 

 though included, they are not recommended by him — for example 

 Agaricus siiiuatus^ A. laccatus, A. squarrosns, A. acerbus, A. bomby- 

 cinus^ Lactarius piperatus^ L. theiogalus, L. toj^minosus, L. tiupis^ 

 Pan2is conchatus, P. torulosus, Paxillus involutus, Russula cyanoxantha, 

 R. fiircata^ Hydnum auriscalpium^ Boletus cya7iescens^ B. pachypus, 

 Polyporus fo77ientariiis, P. giganieus, P. squa7nosus, P. sulfureus, etc. 



Far be it from us to dispute with one who, ' as far as toadstool 

 eating goes,' beHeves he has ' a right to speak with authority,' but we 

 venture to think some of the above-named species would prove 



March 1887. 



