INTRODUCTION. 



This book is intended for those who, though 

 ignorant on the subject, desire to know some- 

 thing about mushrooms. The first question 

 which such an one asks upon finding a mush- 

 room is, " What is its name ? " If there is no 

 one near to tell him, then follows the second 

 inquiry, " How can 1 find it out for myself? " 

 If wild flowers were concerned, Gray's little 

 book, " How the Plants Grow," could be used ; 

 and there is also Mrs. Dana's book on " The 

 Wild Flowers," that has given so much pleas- 

 ure. In the case of mushrooms, however, but 

 one answer can be returned to all questions : 

 "There is no American text-book on mush- 

 rooms, there is no manual for beginners." 



There are many books on British fungi for 

 students, but we want some popular work easy 

 to understand, with no technical expressions. 



This necessity for a simple guide-book has 

 been felt by many. Let us give our own ex- 



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