land site our records are at one and the same time both
valuable and tantalisingly incomplete. Their value lies in
their unbroken historical record while their deficit lies in
the almost complete lack of herbarium specimens for confirmation
Attempts are now being made to rectify this situation by
recording finds on film and drying the specimens; this must
be done if records are to be of scientific value. Our Forest
is one of the richest sites in the country with a current total
of about 1080 species not including the Myxomycetes. Of the
total number of described species of Russula for instance (114)
we have recorded 61, a percentage of 53.5%; of 71 boletes we
have 49, a percentage of 69%; both are examples of the great
variety and abundance of our mycological flora. There remain
more to be found and much to be learned, but we need more coll-
ectors to increase the knowledge we already have. My advice
is to pick one or two particular groups that attract you, get
to know them well and research the current literature. Once
you are familiar with the species you can contribute much
needed information on our flora and its limits. Keep the
material by drying in warm air over radiators etc and try to
photograph them if possible; if in doubt of identities try
to get it confirmed, the author is always willing to examine
finds.
The Forest is our heritage and the fungi are an important
and integral part of that Forest; as important as the
flowering plants even if less obvious to the eye. No doubt
they are as subject to pressures and change as any other
organisms - and the forest is changing, there are less green
pastures for instance - only time and careful observation will
reveal any trends; grassland species are certainly less, and
more dead wood left lying would improve the situation for the
lignicolous species. Certainly too "clean" and tidy a woodland
is not a good thing from the fungus point of view. The fungi
are perhaps the most mysterious and difficult of the forest
organisms to study but for that very reason they are fascina-
ting and rewarding and will repay any time given them.
A complete list of the new additions is appended here:-
R = rare species in Southern England.
1. Agaricus dulcidulus R 6. Agaricus sylvicola
2. " brunnescens( =bisporus) 7. variegans
3. " porphyrocephala R 8. " squamuliferus R
4. " lutosus R 9. Amanita umbrinolutea R
5. " nivescens 10. " lividopallescens B