16 MUSHROOMS. 



a city and go into the quiet fields and woods 

 the contrast is very great. A walk for exer- 

 cise alone is often dull and tiresome. We can- 

 not be assured of pleasant companions, nor is 

 there always a fine view or picturesque scenery 

 to reward us during our strolls, but there are 

 plants to be found and gathered, and when 

 these fail us, then the bright-hued mushrooms 

 may arrest our attention. The discovery of 

 new specimens, the learning their names, the 

 knowledge of their curious organizations, will 

 all add an interest to our lives. It will inspire 

 us with a love of nature, and open our eyes to 

 many objects of which we have before been 

 unobservant. Besides this it obliges us to be 

 accurate. Our descriptions must be exact or 

 they are of no use. 



Let us imagine ourselves taking a stroll in 

 the woods or down some shady lane, and see 

 what we can find there. 



The golden-rod and asters adorn the road- 

 sides, the odors of the sweet gale and scented 

 fern are wafted gratefully to our senses as we 

 pass along the lanes, and there, among the fallen 

 leaves, at the very edge of the woods, peers out 

 a bright yellow mushroom, brighter from the 

 contrast to the dead leaves around, and then 



