10 PREAMBLE. 



to apply general rules has failed, and no 

 possible course remains but to become 

 acquainted with every individual species 

 which we resolve to eat, and, collaterally, 

 those which we should specially avoid. 

 It may not be out of place to remark 

 that there are some features manifested in 

 connection with poisonous or disagreeable 

 fungi which should be borne in mind, as 

 tending to diminish labour in investigation. 

 For instance, it may be concluded that 

 fungi which possess a distinctly disagreeable 

 odour may be discarded at once as un- 

 wholesome. Then, again, any kinds, the 

 flesh of which, when cut or bruised, 

 distinctly changes colour, especially to a 

 dark blue, should be avoided. Even the 

 Common Mushroom will sometimes turn 

 brown when cut, and some other of the 

 edible species will show a slight change, 

 but it is the immediate and rapid change 

 to a deep blue which should be accepted 

 as a paramount signal of danger. It may 

 safely be conduded that any species of 



