Can't `compose` and method and a function

Question

I define a method and a function:

def print(str:String) = println
val intToString = (n:Int) => n.toString

Now I want to compose them.

My problem is, why neither:

print(_) compose intToString
print(_:String) compose intToString

compiles?

But:

(print(_)) compose intToString
(print _ ) compose intToString

compiles?

Answer 1

I think

print(_) compose intToString

desugars to

x => (print(x) compose intToString)

whereas

(print(_)) compose intToString

desugars to

(x => print(x)) compose intToString