254 THE HYMENOMYCETAL FUNGI OF EPPING FOREST,
aurantiacus, first detected in the Fairmead district this present year
(1888), and hitherto gathered nowhere else in the British Islands.
Russula is another genus which is remarkably well represented
in the Forest. One wholly new species, called Russula armeniaca,
was found near Fairmead this year, on two occasions. A French
species, Russula maculata, has only been collected in Woodman's
Glade, and a new sub species, if not recognized as a perfect species,
is not uncommon here, as well as in two or three other places, and
for the present is known as R. granulosa. To this may be added
two or three very characteristic varieties of other species, which will
have to be recognized as such.
As for the rest of the gill-bearing species, but little can be said.
Nothing uncommon in Cantharellus, Nyctalis, Marasmius, Lentinus,
Panus, or Lenzites has been recorded, and hence, with a sigh of
relief, we will dismiss them, at the same time casting over all
observations on Boletus, Polyporus, Hydnum, Clavaria, and their
allies, to some future occasion.
It is constantly raised against us that we make the study of Fungi
repulsive, through the use of so many hard names. Why can't we
talk of them as we do of nuthatches, crows, and wagtails, of daisies,
buttercups, and primroses, and then we would be more appreciated,
and come to be better understood ? There may be a great deal in
this, but does all the blame rest with the fungus-hunters ? Is it not
a fact that idle people are the most ingenious in the fabrication of
excuses ?
The recognition of a larger number of Fungi by common or
popular names would doubtless be a great boon to many people,
but that it is perfectly useless to invent common names, which must
increase the confusion, has already been exemplified. Popular
names were given, with the scientific, in the "Handbook," but never
adopted. Popular names, of a highly imaginative character, were
recently given in a manual which its sanguine author vainly believed
was to supersede all others, but—
" Oh, no ! we never mention them,
Their names are never heard."
"Popular names" grow out of popular knowledge, and in proportion
to the increase in knowledge and interest will the number of dis-
tinctive names increase. The best way of assisting this is to
commence with a few species, such as the best of those which are