12 PREAMBLE. 



will furnish, all the variety which an 

 ordinary person will require. We have 

 ourselves eaten of more than sixty different 

 species, and yet seldom eat of more than 

 from six to ten in any given year. Ex- 

 periments in eating unknown fungi, or 

 those concerning which any doubt exists, 

 should on no account be encouraged. We 

 may not possess so many truly poisonous 

 species as has been supposed, but that 

 we do possess some is an undoubted fact, 

 and it should be remembered as a caution. 

 Thorough and persistent fnngus-eaters never 

 experiment upon unknown species, but only 

 upon those which are known by experi- 

 ence to be harmless, or which by their 

 natural affinities afford no possible reason 

 for doubt. 



Characteristic and accurate figures are a 

 great help in the determination of species, 

 but figures alone are scarcely sufficient for 

 the inexperienced, and should always be 

 supplemented by a reference to the written 

 description. Features of importance may 



