Fink: Nature and Classification of Lichens 259 



also to the distinction maintained between Algae and Fungi, and 

 I do not believe that the term fungus as now used has any true 

 taxonomic significance. The only argument I see that justifies 

 the present retention of the Subphyllum or Series of the Fungi 

 is that our knowledge of the phylogeny of these forms is inade- 

 quate to form a basis for a proper taxonomic classification. The 

 Fungi Imperfecti is another case in point where the situation is 

 more clearly perceived and is usually rightly understood. All of 

 these cases must be regarded as temporary expedients resorted 

 to for convenience and rendered necessary by our ignorance 

 rather than by our knowledge. In the case of the Lichens I sup- 

 pose this necessity is not now so urgent as it has been and that 

 it is possible to approximate a correct grouping of these forms 

 with their proper fungal relatives. If this be true, and the 

 Lichenologist must answer that question, then we are not justified 

 in maintaining the Lichens as a distinct class. It may be argued 

 that the present grouping is convenient for study and should be 

 retained. This is a return to the Linnaean system and if it were 

 distinctly understood that such classification is only an arbitrary 

 filing system for ready reference it might be admitted, but tax- 

 onomy stands for the representation of a deep lying biological 

 principal and no amount of convenience justifies us in misrepre- 

 senting the truth. Mycologist, a. 



Quotation 30 



If, as I believe, it is generally agreed by taxonomists, the chief 

 aim of taxonomy is to discover the phylogenetic relationships of 

 plants, and group them as nearly as possible in accordance with 

 such relationships, it is difficult to see how the lichens could be 

 maintained as a distinct group of plants. To treat the lichens 

 as a separate class, necessitates grouping together not only as- 

 comycetous fungi belonging to the great groups Discomycetes 

 and Pyrenomycetes, but also basidiomycetous fungi. Another 

 fact furnishing the strongest evidence perhaps bearing upon the 

 true relationship of the lichens, is the existence of genera and 

 species having so slight an association or connection with algae 

 as to make it difficult for lichenologists to determine whether they 

 should be called plain pyrenomycetous or discomycetous fungi or 



