ADVERTISEMENT.
The “ Handbook” was first published in 1871, since which time
a large number of species, especially of the larger fungi, have been
added to the British Flora. Finding it impossible to prepare at
once a second edition, for lack of the necessary leisure, it has been
considered advisable to issue the descriptions of the Hymenomy-
cetes in the present form, as an appendix to “ Grevillea,” but with
a separate paging, so th a t they can either be bound with the
volume or cut off and retained as a distinct work. All th a t is at
present desired is to keep pace with the plates published in the
“ Illustrations,” and hence th e white-spored series will be proceeded
with as rapidly as possible. Comments on the several
species have not been attempted, since these will be provided for in
another work now in course of preparation by the Rev. Jno.
Stevenson. The derivation of the names of Fu n g i not having
hitherto been given, we are indebted to our friend Mr. H. T.
Wharton, M.A., for th e notes on the subject which are inserted in
the present edition. The speedy publication of the descriptions of
all British Hymenomycetal Fungi being now essential, this method
commended itself as the most practicable, and it is hoped will fulfil
the purpose for which it has been attempted.
M. C. C.
London, December, 1883.
H A N D B O O K
B R I T I S H F U N G I .
Family I . HYMENOMYCETES.
Mycelium floccose, giving rise a t once to a distinct hymenium,
or producing a variously shaped, naked, or volvate receptacle, even,
or bearing on its upper or under surface various folds, plates,
prickles, &c., clothed with fertile hymenial cells. Spores naked,
mostly quarternate, or distinct spicules. Bei'k. Introd. p. 351.
Outl. p. 89.
Hymenram, normally inferior—
Fruit-bearing surface lamellose......................
Fruit-bearing surface, porous or tubular. .
Fruit-bearing surface clothed with prickles
Fruit-bearing surface, e v e n ..........................
Hymenium, superior or encircling—
Clavate or branched, rarely lobed . . . .
Lobed, convolute, or disc-liked, gelatinous ;
(fertile threads not compacted into a true
hymenium)....................................................
Order I . A G A l l I G I N I .
Ágcbvicini,
Folyporei.
Hydnei.
Auricularini.
Clavariei,
TremelUni.
Hymenium inferior, spread over easily-divisible gills or plates,
radiating from a centre or stem, which may be either simple or
branched.—F r. Epicr. p. 2. Berk. Out. p . 89.
A N A L Y T IC A L K E Y .
In using the following key, the first and most important point to
be determined in naming an Agaric is to ascertain the colour of
the spores. The specimens used for study should always be perfectly
fresh, and, if possible, young, as in many species the characters,
especially of the veil, are evanescent. The habitat also will
be found of considerable importance to beginners. The genera are
printed in Capitals, and the subgenera in Italics.