Hava: “Stevenson does not mention this species, so it may be peculiar 
to this country.” Of the Jew’s Ear we learn a new habitat: “It is a very 
peculiar looking fungus, shaped somewhat like the human ear, of all 
sizes, and grows in great quantities in the same place.” 
But it is impossible, even by continuing to quote, to give the charm of 
this modest and kindly attempt to smooth the way to knowledge. Only 
the possession and leisurely perusal of the little volume will reveal its 
unique character. 
The Mushroom Book. By Mina L. Marshall, New York, Doubleday, 
Page & Co., 1901, pp. 167, $3.00. 
Quite different must be the attitude of a reviewer to the latest book 
placed before the public. Written by a person with botanical training, 
“ The Mushroom Book,” lays claim, or should, to scientific accuracy and 
method. It is, to be sure, avowedly a popular book. The publishers 
would have wished to undertake no other kind. But even popular books 
can and should be scientific, in the true meaning of the word, that is to 
say, they should present facts accurately and systematically. 
The book makes an admirable first impression, due to the amplitude of 
the pages and spacing, the broad margins, clear printing, sharply outlined 
cuts, and excellent plates. The publishers indeed, have done their work 
well. Examination of the book, unfortunately, effaces this good impres¬ 
sion. The introductory matter, it is true, is on the whole well arranged 
and expressed, especially the chapter headed “ From Spore to Mushroom.” 
The Key which follows, too, is made intelligible to the novice by abun¬ 
dant diagrams illustrating the terms employed. It is with the bulk of the 
book, the hundred pages descriptive of genera and species, that fault 
must be found. Here there is absolute confusion. Groups, and genera 
under groups, are taken up, as it seems, haphazard. In the white-spored 
series of Agarics, for instance, the first five genera in order are Amanita, 
Cantharellus, Amanitopsis, Mycena, and Lentinus, and the last live are 
Schizophyllum, Omphalia, Russula, Clitocybe, and Tricholoma. What¬ 
ever may have determined this succession, it was not the probable conven¬ 
ience of the student, for no knowledge of any principle of classification 
will guide him when he wishes to refer to the description of a species and, 
if he has no such knowledge, he is not likely to be assisted as his familiar¬ 
ity with the order of the plates increases. 
As to the character of the descriptions, it is very evident, even without 
the acknowledgment in the preface, that they do not imply any acquaint¬ 
ance on the part of the author with the plants themselves. And this criti¬ 
cism applies with special force to such species as Russula emetica , which 
demand the most accurate treatment. Nothing is said by Miss Marshall, 
any more than by the authors of “ Among the Mushrooms,” of the vis¬ 
cidity, characteristic of this plant. In fact no mention of this character 
is made under the genus, and yet it is of the utmost importance in dis¬ 
tinguishing between species. The author’s final remark that Russula 
emetica “ may readily be distinguished by its peppery taste,” betrays ig¬ 
norance of the existence of other red species that are also acrid. She 
seems, indeed, to share the too common conviction, that any acrid red 
Russula is R. emetica. Her treatment of the yellow Amanitas is danp-er- 
011s. The final recommendation in regard to them — that those with a 
cup are edible — is most unwise, for its application may not be restricted 
by careless people — those most exposed to danger. 
Another instance of inaccuracy is in the statement in regard to the 
