Notes on Recent Literature. 
i55 
which Clepsydropsis belongs), the more complex, and so for as we 
know, the older of the two families included in the Botryop- 
terideae. For these reasons M. Paul Bertrand’s researches seem 
to be of great importance. 
ISABEL BROWNE. 
FUNGI. 
“ Synopsis of the British Basidiomycetes.” A descriptive 
Catalogue of the drawings and specimens in the Department of 
Botany, British Museum ; by Worthington George Smith, F.L.S. 
Printed by order of the Trustees of the British Museum. 
This book is a welcome addition to the Fungus-floras of 
this country. In it the author embodies the notes of many years 
made on the characters and distribution of the higher Basidiomy¬ 
cetes. The scheme of classification generally adopted is that used 
by Fries in his Hymenomycetes Europtei (1874), but the sub-genera 
of Agaricus , e.g., Amanita, Collybia, etc., used by Fries, are raised 
to the rank of genera, as is now indeed customary. The number of 
such genera is increased by the addition of Amanitopsis, Hiatula 
and Togaria. The genus Exobasidium, parasitic on species of 
Vactinium, is still kept in the Thelephoraceae, but it would seem 
better to assign it to a distinct group, as is done in Engler’s 
“ Pflanzenfamilien.” It will be noted also that the anomalous genus 
Tremellodon is placed in the Hydnaceaa, whereas Massee assigns it to 
the Tremellineae on account of its divided basidia and gelatinous 
consistency. 
The descriptions of species in this book certainly do not err 
on the side of excessive length. Indeed it must be admitted that 
such brevity as is prevalent here will make it difficult for a beginner 
to be certain that his determination of species in all cases is 
correct. It will probably be found that he will be obliged to com¬ 
bine the use of this book with that of larger floras. On the other 
hand such long descriptions as are to be found in some other books 
are not desirable. 
An attempt has been made to give somewhat more definite 
details of habitats than have been customary in former mycological 
floras, though it must be said that a good deal yet remains to be done 
in this respect. The general term “ woods ” is still often used as 
descriptive of the habitat of many of these fungi, whereas one would 
like to know what kind or kinds of wood are really indicated. The 
ecological distribution of the higher Fungi is now more widely 
recognised than formerly, and one looks forward to the time when 
a “ biological ” flora of the Basidiomycetes can be written. 
The author of this synopsis has thoughtfully provided a glossary 
of special mycological terms. This will be appreciated by the 
