As my name appears on the title-page of this volume, it is necessary that I should exactly state what part I had in its preparation. I had no doubt originally engaged to undertake the work myself; but finding, from multiplicity of engagements and my uncertain health, that I could not accomplish it satisfactorily, I thought the best course I could take was to recommend Mr. Cooke to the publishers; a gentleman well known, not only in this country, but in the United States. The whole of the work has therefore been prepared by himself, the manuscript and proof sheets being submitted to me from time to time, in which I merely suggested such additions as seemed needful, subjoining occasionally a few notes. As the work is intended for students, the author has had no hesitation in repeating what has been stated in former chapters where it has been thought to prove useful. I have no doubt that the same high character will justly apply to this as to Mr. Cooke's former publications, and especially to his "Handbook of British Fungi." M. J. BERKELEY. SIBBERTOFT, _November 23, 1874._ CONTENTS. PAGE I. NATURE OF FUNGI. 1 II. STRUCTURE. 17 III CLASSIFICATION 64 IV. USES. 82 V. NOTABLE PHENOMENA. 105 VI. THE SPORE AND ITS DISSEMINATION. 119 VII. GERMINATION AND GROWTH. 137 VIII. SEXUAL REPRODUCTION. 163 IX. POLYMORPHISM. 182 X. INFLUENCES AND EFFECTS. 209 XI. HABITATS. 233 XII. CULTIVATION. 253 XIII. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 266 XIV. COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION. 287 INDEX. 295 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.