42 
Journal of Mycology 
[Vol. 12 
ceedings of the Philadelphia Academy and elsewhere. His early 
work in connection with Dr. M. C. Cooke of England, a veteran 
still living, appeared in Grevillea. This period, 1875 to 1879, 
might be regarded perhaps as Mr. Ellis’ apprenticeship — and 
surely a good foundation was laid. Subsequently the herbarium 
he had already built up, and the mycological library then accumu¬ 
lated, though not large, furnished him with the equipment for 
independent work. He did not make extended collecting trips 
over the country; but he brought together from a small area an 
immense number of new fungi; and specimens from young and 
enthusiastic collectors and incipient botanists poured in upon him. 
Over this he worked with great diligence. His descriptions are 
of course not always full, his knowledge of some things he pub¬ 
lished was scant, but who could or did do better! Pioneers can 
not do the critical work that is possible to the well trained student 
who has the advantage of all the facilities and appliances later 
developed. Perhaps not more to his contributions in print than 
to his work on exsiccata is due the impetus he gave to the study 
of mycology in this country for the quarter of a century during 
the period of his greatest activity. He began his Fungi Nova- 
Caesariensis about 1878, but soon changed the title to North 
American Fungi, and “N. A. F.” can well be regarded as classic 
in American Mycology. A second set was begun later called 
Fungi Columbiani. The large number of subscribers both at home 
and abroad shows the high estimate placed on these exsiccata. 
The contributions of various young botanists over the country 
assisted materially of course in the issuance of so many centuries, 
though one needs merely to glance at the list of specimens to see 
what a large number Mr. Ellis collected with his own hands. Men¬ 
tion must be specially made of the personal assistance given by 
him to so many correspondents — those who were beginning the 
study of fungi, especially the parasitic species. Even with the 
pressure of the work entailed by undertaking to report on such 
material sent to him, never was one seeking help denied assist¬ 
ance ; an answer was sure to come by the next mail. Recognition 
therefore can justly be accorded for the indirect as well as the 
direct part Mr. Ellis took in the development of Mycology in this 
country. 
Great industry on his part and the activity of many persons 
throughout the country enabled him to accumulate a vast her¬ 
barium rich in type specimens. This was purchased a few years 
ago by the New York Botanical Garden. 
No list will here be given of the numerous contributions pub¬ 
lished by J. B. Ellis, all the articles being fresh in the memory of 
the working mycologists, but special mention must be made of his 
important work of 793 pages and 41 full page plates bearing this 
self-explanatory title: The North American Pyrenomycetes, a 
contribution to Mycologic Botany, by J. B. Ellis and B. M. Ever- 
