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Mycologia 



3. What are the arguments upon which your answer to the 

 second question is based? 



It is desired that all shall answer at least the first question, 

 and if this is answered affirmatively, then at least the second also. 

 The third question is, of course, of special importance, and the 

 writer wishes as many answers to it as can be obtained, based 

 upon present knowledge or such investigation as can be made in 

 short time. 



Those addressed are at liberty to include in their answers 

 matter not directly replying to the three questions if they think 

 best. The botanists addressed have been selected with great 

 care from Europe and America, and the answers it is hoped, 

 besides giving the consensus of opinion, may also contribute to a 

 solution of the problem involved. 



(Signed) Bruce Fink. 



The letter was couched in general terms suited to those who 

 believe that lichens should be regarded as fungi and also to 

 those who think that these plants form a group entirely distinct 

 from fungi. It was expected that some botanists would under- 

 stand that the distribution meant was that of the text-books 

 or of Fimfstiiek and Zahlbruckner in Engler and Prantl. Second 

 letters were written to four botanists who took this view. In 

 these letters, it was stated that the distribution intended was 

 one which would do away with the group Lichenes. These 

 four had stood for distribution in their first replies; but all 

 but one of them refused to stand for distribution to the exclusion 

 of Lichenes. Sixty-three (63) American and 45 foreign 

 botanists replied without a second request. The number of 

 Americans was regarded sufficient to furnish the current views 

 and arguments, but second letters were sent to 12 Europeans 

 in order to increase the number of foreign replies. Of these, 7 

 replied, making the total number of foreign replies 52. 



Careful study of the preparation of those botanists who re- 

 plied showed that they are not greatly influenced by the opinions 

 held by their teachers. Being influenced by views held at large 

 botanical centers would usually be impossible, for where replies 

 were received from two or more men from the same center there 

 was not an instance of accord in all particulars, and the views 

 expressed were more often widely divergent or quite opposed. 



