P R E F A C E
L O N D O N :
P R IN T E D BY W IL L IAM CLOWES AND SO N S , L IM IT E D ,
D U K E S T R E E T , STAM FO R D S T R E E T , S .E . , A N D G R E A T W IN D M IL L S T R E E T , W .
In 1905 the Trustees acquired the manuscript descriptions drawn up
by Mr. Worthington G. Smith, when preparing the fine series of
coloured drawings of British Fungi which are exhibited in the
Public Gallery of the Department of Botany. The descriptions
were accompanied by line drawings illustrating the characters of
each genus. In 1907 the Trustees gave permission for their
publication in the form of the present Handbook, which it is hoped
will prove a useful introduction to the study in the field of the
larger British Fungi. Of the numerous introduced species all that
have appeared in the open air are included; but those occurring
in greenhouses and stoves are omitted, except those which continually
reappear, and those which stray into gardens.
Mr. Smith himself and Mr. W. E. St. John Brooks, Assistant in
the Department, have given valuable help in the preparation of the
book for the press.
A. B. R e n d l e .
D epa r tm en t of Bo tany ,
B r it ish Mu s e um .
October, 1908.