VI PREFACE. 



only directed and inspired by a ^ide acquaintance with 



I mycological literature. But, so far as " toadstool-eating " 



I goes^ I believe I have a right to speak with authority, since 



my own gastronomic experiments have been many, frequent, 



and varied. 



Four years ago, when I had achieved the not slight task 

 of writing the '* Textbook," a scheme for its production was 

 proposed which I found myself obliged to abandon sub- 

 sequently. But this long delay will have proved advan- 

 tageous to my friends and correspondents, since they will 

 now have the book in an improved form, revised, shorn of 

 redundant rhetoric, and with various additional details. 

 And, through the enterprise and cordial co-operation of the 

 Publishers, the illustrative portion of the work has been 

 carried out even beyond the limits I had assigned to myself 

 in the text. 



With these explanations I now place my work in the 

 hands of the critic and the reader, trusting that my honest 

 efforts to satisfy the former, and to supply hitherto obscure 

 information to the latter, will meet with the approval and 

 acceptance of both. 



W. DELISLE HAY. 



London, Oct., 1886. 



