G. MASSEE OX BASIDIOMYCETES. 9 



and other poisonous products. The relative superiority of the 

 members of the Agaricineae in successfully holding their own 

 in the struggle for existence is evidenced by the fact that they 

 are met with in every part of the globe where organic food is 

 present, and that their numbers reach almost to six thousand, 

 or more than that of all the previously mentioned famihes 

 combined. 



