PREFACE. 



one fpecies often happens to have been figured or 

 defcribed ten times over. It is indeed eafier to 

 defcribe or draw an individual variety, than to 

 afcertain to what fpecies it belongs, while it may 

 be compared to fo many in different authors. 

 When they are more clearly afcertained, we 

 fhall polTibly be able to cultivate the ufeful 

 kinds ; for only one, the common Mujhroom, or 

 Agaricus campefiris, is at prefent cultivated. Some 

 I am fure would be admired as ornaments; others 

 are already made ufe of for culinary and ceco- 

 nomical purpofes, more particularly in foreign 

 countries. Some I am perfuaded would afTift in 

 dyeing. Several of the Sphaerias yield the fineft 

 black I ever met with. The Lycoperdons afford 

 in their ripe ftate different browns very copi- 

 oufly, in a fine impalpable powder, fit for im- 

 mediate drawing when mixed with a little gum 

 arable water. I intend when I figure fome of 

 the Lycoperdons to ufe their own powder to 

 reprefent itfelf. 



