OF THE BRITISH DISCOMYCETES WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL THE SPECIES OF FUNGI HITHERTO FOUND IN BRITAIN, INCLUDED IN AND ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE GENERA BY WILLIAM PHILLIPS, F.L.S. CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE CRYPTOGAMIC SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND, AND THE LONDON KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH & CO., 1, PATERNOSTER SQUARE 1887 PREFACE. THE design of this work is to provide the English student with the means of acquiring a knowledge of the Discomycetes of Britain. The fifth volume of " English Flora," Berkeley's "Outlines," and Cooke's "Handbook," each well served this purpose in its time, and I indulge the hope that the present work may be equally useful. No trouble has been spared in verifying and extending microscopic observations of the morphology, for in no instance where an authentic specimen was accessible has the opportunity of examining it been neglected. The readiness with which the Rev. M. J. Berkeley, my lamented friend the late Mr. C. E. Broome, and Dr. M. C. Cooke have entrusted to me some of their unique specimens, calls for my grateful acknowledgment; as does the kindness of the Kew and British Museum authorities, in allowing me at all times ready access to their important herbaria When Dr. M. C. Cooke became aware of my intention to undertake this work, he not only generously handed over to me the whole of his valuable manuscript notes, |