22 PREAMBLE. 



the mushrooms originally, but was developed 

 by incipient decay. 



We would fain dispel the illusion that 

 the Common Mushroom is the type to which 

 all edible fungi must conform, and that 

 all others should be compared with it. 

 There are some which are of the same 

 flavour, or closely resemble it, whilst there 

 are others of a wholly different kind. Much 

 disappointment is liable to follow if, in all 

 cases, it is expected to meet with the 

 mushroom in some modified form. There 

 is as much difference in the peculiar flavour 

 of different species as there is in the different 

 kinds of flesh. No one would be satisfied 

 if veal tasted like mutton, or roast pork 

 like roast beef, and there is just as much 

 difference in the various kinds of edible 

 fungi. In some of them the flavour is 

 completely novel, and produces a new 

 sensation — for instance, there is not the 

 least resemblance between the Puff Ball 

 and the ordinary mushroom, or between 

 the latter and the Hedgehog. It is in 



