32 Transactions British Mycological Society.

LICHENOLOGY, A NEW DEPARTURE.

By A. Lorrain Smith F.L.S .

The question of adding Lichenology to our field ofactivity has been mooted several times, and after a shortdiscussion at a recent meeting of members, it was decidedthat there was good reason for extending and enriching thescope of our work by associating the study of lichens withthat of mycology.

There are numbers of 'fungi-lichens' or 'lichen-fungi' juston the border-line between saprophytism and symbiosiswith algae, and much careful and exact work is waiting tobe done on these species out in the field and in the laboratory,by some one acquainted with both fungi and lichens. Therei~ also a very large tlora of the smaller fungi parasitic onlichen thalli which will mainly be d iscovered and recognizedby the student of lichens. A descriptive list of these wasrecently published in the Bulletin de la Societe Mycologiquede France Vols, xxviii.-xxx (1912-14) by the deeplylamented Abbe Vouaux, who was wantonly done to death bythe Germans in the early stages of the war.

The great bar to the study of lichenology in our countryhas been the lack of suitable text-books, that lack will be,I hope, made good very soon. A general text-book onLichenology is ready and awaits publication. TheMonograph of British Lichens is now completed and aguide-book somewhat on the lines of Hayward's pocketflora is in an advanced stage of preparation. The two latterworks are being published by the Trustees of the BritishMuseum. It is earnestly hoped that these books will appealto natural history students and will make the science easierand more attractive. It will be possible to appoint in theearly future a member of our Society who will act as generalreferee for lichens.