128 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 
The species of the liquefying Coprini described are highly 
commended, as well as the wild forms closely related to the 
cultivated mushroom. One needs only to be sure that no 
confusion with Panaeolus may result. On the other hand, 
the agarics with white spores must be carefully studied be- 
fore selecting species to be ‘eaten. Finally, among the pore- 
bearing species, the best forms of the fleshy Boletus have 
been utilized from the earliest times, but a knowledge of 
suspicious representatives of this group is essential. 
Perhaps the best procedure for those desiring to collect 
mushrooms in the vicinity of St. Louis is first to learn the 
one or two positively poisonous forms likely to be found 
in this region; then become thoroughly acquainted with 
the six or eight—certainly not more than a dozen—edible 
species which are apt to be found in sufficient abundance 
to be of any real value. By sticking to the known varieties 
and never under any circumstances experimenting with 
doubtful forms, at least until they have been passed upon 
by an expert, many palatable additions to the routine diet 
may be made by the application of the knowledge obtained. 
In order to facilitate the identification of wild mushrooms 
which may be found this fall in and about St. Louis, the 
Missouri Botanical Garden will place in the Museum build- 
ing, located near the Cleveland Avenue gate, an exhibit of 
the more important books on the various edible and poison- 
ous species of mushrooms. On Saturday mornings, from 
nine to twelve o’clock, some member of the Garden staff 
will be in the building to give information relative to the 
edibility of specimens of mushrooms which may be brought 
for identification. Mushrooms about which information is 
desired may likewise be sent by mail or by messenger to 
the Garden office at Tower Grove and Botanical Avenues, 
and a report will be furnished as to the name and edibility 
of the specimens, provided of course that they be received 
in a condition which will make determination possible. It 
will be necessary, therefore, to send specimens as promptly 
as possible and to use care enough in packing to prevent 
breaking or mashing. 
The intent of this article is not to furnish a means 
of identifying all the various fungi which grow in 
this locality, since this would be worthless for most of 
the readers of the Butietin, even if the space could be 
devoted to it. But it is rather to call attention to the use 
of wild mushrooms as a cheap and appetizing addition to 
the daily ration, describing as accurately as possible a very 
few of the commonest local varieties. Should an interest 
