PEBPACE. LIBRARY 



'S'EW YORK 



G. 



The purpose and intention of the present work are set forth 

 in the opening chapter. It is designed to be an elemen- 

 tary introduction to the study of Fungi, chiefly in those 

 aspects which most readily engage popular attention. 

 Beyond that, it is intended to cover, as comprehensively and 

 accurately as possible, the entire subject of Fungi considered 

 as aliment. I am well convinced that such information is 

 often vainly sought for, that it is needed, and that it will 

 prove useful. 



Every succeeding year shows that intelligent lovers of 

 Nature are inclined to take an increasing interest in Fungi. 

 There are, as I know from past experience, but few means 

 open to such persons of acquiring the knowledge they are 

 desirous of being possessed of, and there is no small diflSculty 

 in obtaining access to the recorded results of mycologists' 

 labours. It has been my object to meet popular require- 

 ments, so far as my ability went, and I have not allowed 

 myself to entertain the presumption of trying to do more. 



My interest in Fungi began in boyhood, but it has been 

 mostly within the last ten years that I have been able to 

 carry out diligent study, so far as the exigences of a strug- 

 gling life afforded opportunities for it. Itjias never been 

 my p rivilege, as yet, to meet with any person versed in 

 Mycology from whom I could derive instruction. My short- 

 comings, therefore, may perhaps be forgiven on that score, 

 since I have had to rely on unassisted practical labour. 



