
          Preface

The Parish of Halifax and its Neighbourhood,
consisting wholely of Hills and valleys, and
abounding with Watersprings and Rivulets, deep dark
Glenns, rocky Precipices.  Large moors of Moss and Heath,
Bushy Bogs, and steep and Rocky Woods, with Fields 
Meadows, and Pasture Grounds, of every aspect and of
every Soil.  Is thereby rendered so rich in its Vegetable
productions that it may without impropriety
be termed a Natural Botanic Garden.  But in no
Class of Plants more deservedly so than in the
Cryptogamia, and of these in particular the
Fungii.  There is not perhaps in this or any
other Kingdom, a spot of like extent, productive
of so vast variety.  Consequently there are
Many species which are new or Unknown to the
Botanic World.  And as Nothing was Created by
the all Wise Author of Nature but for some
great and good end, (were we acquainted with
their uses and their virtues).  Therefore every
attempt to Illustrate their History, by investigating
and ascertaining their species, 
Must, if done from propper [proper] motives, be
esteemed Laudible.  An attempt of this kind
I have had in view for a number of Years, have
kept an observing eye upon them at all Seasons,
and have from time to time made likenesses 
in Drawing from such as I collected, in which
Work, I have all along been scrupulously exact
in getting a just representation of each in 
the various stages of its Growth from its first
springing up to its Maturity or Decay, and from
        