PREFACE. 



There is no royal road to the knowledge of Fungi ; and it is 

 impossible, with any regard to scientific accuracy, to avoid the 

 use of language which at first sight may be repellent. It need 

 not, however, be so in reality. The careful mastery of a few 

 scientific terms by the aid of the Glossary (end of vol. ii.) will 

 enable those who have not hitherto studied the subject to use 

 the descriptions, not only with ease, but with much greater 

 satisfaction in the identification of species. This is particularly 

 the case in regard to Edible and Poisonous species. Any 

 description of general appearance, which omitted scientific 

 details, might be most misleading. The species must be care- 

 fully identified by means of the descriptions.^ Comparatively 

 few of the Agarics are used as food. Probably a much larger 

 number are either edible or harmless. 



It has been usual in the descriptive literature of Mycology 

 to give a diagnosis^ followed by a description of each species. 

 This may be a convenient method in letterpress to illustra- 

 tions ; but in a work designed for practical use, it involves 

 extensive repetition. I am aware that the departure from this 

 method will touch existing prejudice; but it seems desirable 



^ Those who desire to become fungus-eaters are recommended to obtain 

 Mr Worthington G. Smith's 'Mushrooms and Toadstools,' published by 

 Hardwicke & Bogue at is. Its use along with scientific descriptions should 

 avert the possibility of danger. 



