xlli INTRODUCTION. 



of that confufion of names, which is every day increafing, and which can- 

 not eafily be removed; efpecially in regard to the plants of this order. To 

 attempt it at prefent, would be in vain, becaufe the inveftigation of them 

 is a branch of fcience now cultivated with fpirit in feveral parts of Europe; 

 and the field for new difcoveries, is ftill fo ample and fo rich, that every 

 new feafon deepens the columns of our former lifts, and makes continual 

 additions to that flock, which does not perhaps yet exhibit more than one 

 fifth part, of the objecls that muft be invefligated, before mankind can be 

 poffeffed of a complete nomenclature. 



Some of the Fungi are greatly efleemed for their excellent flavour; ei- 

 ther eaten alone, or prepared in fauces ; 'tis faid, that in fome parts of Ruflia 

 they are eaten indiicriminally ; though Haller feems to condemn the 

 ufe of them as efculants ; being of a pernicious and dangerous nature. 

 That they are poffefled of powerful qualities, is manifeft; but we are in a 

 great meafure ignorant of the nature of thofe qualities; fome of them are 

 known to be poifonous, are they hence to be difregarded? Are not many of 

 the moft valuable articles in the materia medica alio poifonous? and yet- are 

 poffefled of principals highly beneficial to mankind. Who can fay that 

 thefe are not rich in qualities, equally ufeful, were they fcientifically invefli- 

 gated, and univerfally known: a knowledge of the ufe they might be ap- 

 plied to, and the manner of applying them, muft be the refults of expe- 

 riments to be made; perhaps by the induftry of a future age. But neither 

 in thefe, nor in any other clafs of bodies, can their qualities be properly 

 invefligated, until the fpecies of fuch bodies be ascertained. The firfl of 

 thefe improvements may be referved to a future generation; the laft feems 

 appropriated to this. 



Stannary, near Kolifnx, 

 December 31, 1731. 



* 



