PEEFACE. 



The books which have been consulted in the preparation of 

 this work are, "British Fungi," by Kev. John Stevenson; 

 "British Fungus-Flora," by George Massee ; "Mushrooms 

 and their Uses," and " Boleti of the United States," by 

 Professor Charles H. Peck, State Botanist of New York; 

 11 Moulds, Mildew and Mushrooms," by Professor L. M. Under- 

 wood ; and a pamphlet by Mr. C. G. Lloyd, entitled " The 

 Volvae of the United States." 



No attempt has been made to do more than to put in popu- 

 lar language the statements of experienced botanists, and so 

 to arrange the matter as to aid beginners in their work. 



Thanks are due to Mr. Harold Wingate for his suggestions 

 and corrections of the manuscript; to Mr. C. G. Lloyd for 

 permission to print from his photographs ; to Miss Laura C. 

 Detwiller for her paintings from nature, which have been here 

 reproduced ; and also to Mrs. Harrison Streeter and Miss 

 Mary W. Nichols for their encouragement of the undertak- 

 ing and suggestions in furtherance of its success. 



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