Introduction 



It is possible, even probable, that it may yet be found in America by 

 assiduous search. 



I have said that there is but one way to distinguish the edible from 

 the non-edible fungi ; that is by mastering the characteristics of each 

 species one by one. There are signs which point to the evil and those 

 which point to the good, but they must be used as signals, not directors. 



A nauseous, fetid odor should condemn a species as non-edible at 

 once. Those having the flavor of flour or fresh meal are generally 

 accepted as worthy of trial. Slimy, water-soaked, partially decom- 

 posed plants, or those impressing one as unpleasant in any way, should 

 never find their place upon the table. Do not eat of any toadstool, 

 unknown to the collector, beyond the careful and systematic testing 

 required to determine whether it is edible or not. 



A few species have a serious charge remaining against them ; that of 

 partiality. They unmistakably signify with whom they will agree and 

 with whom they will not. These are notably Clitocybe illudens, Lepiota 

 Morgani, Panaeolus papilionaceus, all specialized in their places in the 

 text. 



Other species have hereditary taints upon their reputations. Most, 

 if not all of them have stood present tests and relieved themselves of 

 suspicion. But, alas that it should be so ! The stigma must rest upon 

 them for yet a while and until their defenders are so numerous that their 

 purity, without a smirch, is popularly proclaimed. 



Wherever wood grows and decays as it will, Polyporus, Panus, Len- 

 zites, Schizophyllum and kindred genera stand prominently forth in 

 countless numbers. The great majority of them are inedible because of 

 their woody substance. A few are valued as food. Very many of them 

 yield their soluble matter and flavor when boiled, and in this way make 

 excellent soups and gravies, just as flax-seed and the bark of the slip- 

 pery elm yield succulent matter. These, however, are not, with a few 

 exceptions, mentioned in this book. Numbers of Clavarieae and Hyd- 

 nese are in the same category. M. C. Cooke tersely says: "Fruits 

 that are not peaches or apricots maybe very good plums." In the in- 

 troductions to genera their attributes are given; under "Instructions to 

 Students" every guide to identification and selection will be found. 



A Glossary, containing the botanic terms used in this book and, it is 

 believed, all other terms used by mycologists in describing fungi, follows 

 the descriptive text. It is strongly advised that it be carefully studied. 



xxiv 



