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THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



clature must keep pace with science, and its higher discriminations 

 require separate technical terms to mark them. Some people cry out 

 against a lew strange words in botany, and make it an excuse for neg- 

 lecting the study ; but the real reason is, a lack of interest in the 

 knowledge of Nature, for they are generally ready enougli to spend 

 whole years in the acquisition of strange words by the thousand in. 

 foreign languages, living and dead. Scientific terms have an educa- 

 tional value, because they involve and give precision to new ideas, 

 while in acquiring an additional language we are only obtaining new 

 terms for old ideas. 



Fig. 1. Section op Common Musheoom. 



Of all the common objects of the country, toadstools seem to be 

 least related to surrounding things. Neither in form, nor color, nor 

 apparent origin, nor distinguishable parts, do they resemble otlier 

 plants ; and scientific scrutiny must replace common observation 

 before the first step in their classification can be taken. At the very 

 outset of study the botanist is struck by their paradoxical character. 

 In rapidity of growth and speedy decay they are more allied to low 

 animal than to vegetal forms. Like animals, they feed upon organic 

 matter. Their substance is rich in nitrogen, has a savory meat-like 

 taste, and when decomposing gives out a strong, cadaverous smell. 

 They absorb oxygen and disengage carbonic acid, and by their avoid- 

 ance of light they present a striking contrast to the rest of vegetation. 

 Nevertheless, careful observation shows that they consist of parts, and 



crested agaric Agaricus cristatus. 20. Mitral helvela Ildvela mitra. 21. Tuberous 

 agaric Agaricus tuberosum. 22. False puflf-ball Scleroderma cepa. 23. Large-stemmed 

 peziza Peziza macropus. 24. Green and yellow agaric Agaricus psittacinus. 25. 

 Crisped helvella Helvella leucophcea. 26. Reticulated peziza Peziza reticulata. 27. 

 Yellow spatliulavia Spathularia favida. 



