BRITISH FUNGI. 



To some and we would hope that the number is 

 few the very name of Fungus is unknown. To others 

 this name is associated only with the pileated species, 

 or at most with the addition of puff-balls, or such as 

 possess a truly fungoid odour. There doubtless may be 

 found a privileged few, amongst the unscientific denizens 

 of our islands, who acknowledge a broader view, and 

 include a far less limited series of these extraordinary 

 productions of the vegetable kingdom within the terms 

 of our title. 



It would be vain to attempt a general and compact 

 definition of a fungus, or to describe in a few words 

 what is included in the large group to which the name 

 of Fungi is given, so as to be popularly intelligible. 

 The contents of the present volume must be left to 

 perform this office for us, or so much of it as remains 

 untold after we have pointed out some of the most 

 characteristic of the homes of the race. 



It is indeed a singular and despised family to the 

 history of which we are about to dedicate this volume. 

 Many of those who would merit the title of "good 



B 



