Abstract
A MAGNIFICENT series of eight volumes of “Illustrations of British Fungi” appeared towards the close of the last century. They were the work of Dr. M. C. Cooke, and served as a very pleasing and facile reference for naming the larger fungi. More recent advances in the scientific nomenclature of the Basidiomycetes, however, have shown that the names attached to the plates were not always correct. A great deal of confusion has resulted, and has somewhat diminished the usefulness of the work. Mr. A. A. Pearson has largely remedied this state of affairs, by publishing a modernised index to the “Illustrations” (Trans. Brit Mycol. Soc, 20, Pt. 1, 33-95, Aug. 1935). This was originally based on notes prepared by Dr. Quelet, but Mr. Pearson also obtained the opinions of Prof. Rene Maire and Mr. Carleton Rea. These authorities concur upon a large number of species, but are by no means agreed upon others. The student of mycology will, however, be able to find the highest common factor between them where necessary, and will be able to use his Cooke's “Illustrations” again, with reasonable accuracy.
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Cooke's Illustrations of British Fungi. Nature 136, 546 (1935). https://doi.org/10.1038/136546c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/136546c0