Manual of British Discomycetes

Abstract

IT is by no means an uncommon misfortune to find that text-books are not written by persons the most competent, or with the widest experience; hence the results are very far from satisfactory, and no one expresses much gratification. Now and then notable exceptions to this rather general rule may be discovered, to the delight of all who are interested in that special branch of science to which the book is devoted, and the great edification of the student. It is beyond our province to inquire why the most suitable men are so seldom engaged in the production of “manuals,” or why the most skilful manipulator, with a few months' study and much “coaching,” cannot compete successfully with the practical hand well steadied with a twenty years' experience. It will be enough to intimate that no one acquainted with British Cryptogamic botany would for a moment hesitate to pronounce that the most suitable person to undertake a manual of the Discomycetes would be Mr. W. Phillips, of Shrewsbury, if practical knowledge, and persistent investigation, extending over at least two decades of years, are to be accepted as qualifications.

A Manual of the British Discomycetes.

By William Phillips 8vo, 446 pages, 12 plates. International Scientific Series. (London: Kegan Paul, Trench, and Co., 1887.)