vi. INTEODUCTION. 



of earth out, and deposit it erect and steady in the basket. Now we have filled the basket, 

 where shall we put the tools ? if walking, it is a puzzle, but a double leather-sheath with a 

 loop, to carry reticule fashion, is a good plan, at any rate have a sheath because coat pockets 

 can then receive them. 



In placing out the specimens at home, for leisurely examination, an iron tea-tray is a good 

 thing for the purpose, as you can always keep the turf moist, by putting a little water into the 

 tray ; this is better than sprinkling the plants, but must be most sparingly done, as too 

 much wet not only accelerates decay, but if you are anxious to depict any of the collection, 

 you wiU scarcely recognize them when water-soaked, and the delay necessary to dry them 

 again may be inconvenient. Many of the coriaceous kinds will swell out again after having 

 been kept for months in a dry state, therefore attention must of course be paid to the most 

 fragile first. If reserved for more than an hour or two, the specimen tray should be placed 

 in the dark, to check too rapid development, and in a room free from currents of air. 



TO ANALYSE THE CONTENTS OF THE BASKET. 



A sharp knife, a pair of long slender surgeon's scissors ' and a thin, lancet-shaped piece 

 of ivory, are necessary adjuncts to the examination of the parts of Funguses. If the first 

 object of attention be a pileated fungus, in its strictest sense, that is, consisting of a cap 

 placed upon a stem, " Champignon " in French parlance, a " Mushroom " or " Toadstool " in 

 English, look underneath the cap, to ascertain the configuration of the hymenium ; if it have 

 plaited folds radiating from the stem, it is an Agaric ; if resembling a mass of fine sponge, it 

 is a Boletus ; if spinous points are seen, it is a Hydimm ; if branching veins, a CantJiarellus. 

 It is an Agaric — point one, then, is determined ; next we must ascertain the colour of the 

 spores ; for the colour of the ffill, Withering's distinction, is none in fact, as the common 

 Mushroom is pale pink while the spores are yet undeveloped, and then* deep purple-brown 

 tint, on attaining matmity, changes the colour of the gill. When the colour of the gills 

 resembles shot-silk in effect, it is because the spores are of one colom- and the membrane ou 

 which they are placed of another. 



Place the Agaric in an upright position in a glass tumbler ; in an hour or two, if nearly 

 mature, a plentiful deposite of the dust-like spores will be ejected against the sides of the glass. 



' Sharp-pointed scissors cut a delicate membrane much better than a knife ; the piece of ivory aids in removing 

 a veil, dividing delicate parts, &c., for inspection without risk of cutting or bruising, it should be almost needle- 

 pointed, but//a^, not round. 



