INTKODUCTION 27 



The chistered fungi (y\2) have long been included in 



the black-list without reason, as witness the following 



esteemed esculent species : The Shag- 



Worthless gy-mane (Plate i6), Coprinus atramen- 

 popular tests tariiis (Plate 17), Oyster mushroom 

 (Plate 14), Elm mushroom (Plate 15J, 

 Puff-balls (Plate 34), and Champignon (Plate 8). 



To exclude all fungi which grow in dark, damp 

 places (13) is a singular inconsistency, as in some 

 localities this would eliminate the very one species of 

 " mushroom " admittedly eatable by popular favor. 

 In many countries these are regularly cultivated for 

 market in dark, damp, subterranean caverns or in 

 cellars. Indeed, the " dark, damp place" would appear 

 to be the ideal habitat of this the "only mushroom!" 



Equally absurd is the discrimination against those 

 growing on wood (14), which again deprives us of 

 the delicious Hydnum (Plate 27), the Beefsteak (Plate 

 25), Oyster mushroom (Plate 14), Elm mushroom 

 (Plate 15), and many others, including Puff-balls 

 (Plate 34). If we exclude those growing upon or 

 near manure (15), we shall be obliged to omit the 

 Coprinus group (Plates 16 and 17), and often the 

 " reel mushroom " as well. 



Among the bright-colored species (16), it is true, 

 are many dangerous individuals, as, for instance, the 

 deadly Fly Amanita of Plate 4, and the emetic 

 Russula (Plate 13), but on this fiat we should have to 

 reject the other brilliant esculent Russulae (Plates 1 1 

 and 12), the brilliant yellow Chantarelle (Plate 19), 

 the Lactarius (Plate 18), and various other equally 

 palatable and wholesome species. 



