xii INTRODUCTION. 



Fig. I. 



Shews the gills arranged in one feries only, being all extended from 

 the top of the ftera to the rim of the pileu-s ; as in the Agaricus integer*, 

 luridus, funk arms, &c. 



The gills furnifli us with many other aid?, which mutt neceffarily be at- 

 tended to, in order to the inveftigation of fpecies. In fome they are nar- 

 row" and arched, fo as to render the lower furface of the Agaric, as it 

 were excavated or hollow; in others they are ftraight, making the lower 

 furface nearly plain^' or flat; in others again they are broad and deep, fo 

 as to render it prominent or bellied''. In fome they are thin, numerous^ 

 and very clofely arranged; in others they are grofs and remote'. In fome 

 the frit feries adheres by a broad bafe to the top of the ftenv', and grow 

 narrower towards the extremity; in others they are broad, and lopped off 

 at the bafe, either adhering to the flem by a fmall claw.?, or not all ad- 

 hering thereto. In fome they are broaden: in the middle, growing nar- 

 rower* to each extremity; in others they are narrow and pointed at the 

 bafe, and grow broader and broader to the extremity, where they are 

 lopped off obtufely'. The above circumftances regarding the gills be- 

 ing conftant, ought by no means to be difregarded in the defcription of 

 the fpecies. 



Much confulion has long prevailed in this genus of plants, chiefly 

 owing to the brief, or obfcure defcription which have been given of them ; 

 for their parts are fo few, that every one of them ought to be regarded 

 with the greateft care, with all that is Angular, and peculiar to its circum- 

 Jtances. 



In defcribing an Agaric, every part of the plant mould be examined, 

 in refpecl: to the following particulars. 



The 



* Tab, I, 25, 44.— a Tab. 3, 31, 40. b Tab. 6, 36. c Tab. 43, 27, 38. d Tab. 23, 44.- 



« Tab, 28, 43 f Tab. 3, 41.—— g Tab. 6.— b Tab. 7, aS, 33.—— i Tab. 38. 



