Preface 



from personally testing fungi which proved to be poisonous, my reward 

 has been generous in the discovery of many delicacies among the more 

 than seven hundred edible varieties I have found. 



For ten years I have planned to publish in book form what I know 

 about toadstools; each effort to compile my information has shown me 

 how much more I ought to know before going into print. Even now 

 my work is still unfinished. 



I am urged by my many toadstool friends (as I lovingly call those 

 who, from all over the land, send me specimens for identification, and 

 grow interested with me in the work), to publish what I already know 

 upon the subject, that they, and others, may have a helpful book to 

 guide them to a goodly portion of the edible species, and away from 

 those that are inedible or poisonous. 



In this book I comply with these requests. I have selected over seven 

 hundred of the most plentiful and best varieties for the table, from my 

 toadstool bill of fare; and I describe and caution against several species, 

 some of which are deadly in their effects, if eaten; others of which in- 

 duce ill-effects more or less serious. One thousand species and varieties 

 are named and described. 



Birds, flowers, insects, stones delight the observant. Why not toad- 

 stools? A tramp after them is absorbing, study of them interesting, 

 and eating of them health-giving and supremely satisfying. 



CHARLES MC!LVAINE. 



XIV 



