There is some confusion about the synonymy of the plants described by Dr. Badham as _Agaricus prunulus_ and _Ag. exquisitus_. It is unnecessary to discuss the matter here, and I have thought it not desirable under the circumstances to alter Dr. Badham’s nomenclature. They appear to be described in Mr. Berkeley’s work as _Ag. gambosus_, Fr., and _Ag. arvensis_, Schœff.
Dr. Badham’s observations on the spores of Fungi must be read in connection with the note added by him at the conclusion of the work; and to those who are interested in that part of the subject I should recommend the perusal of the seventh chapter of Mr. Berkeley’s ‘Outlines of British Fungology,’ and Tulasne’s recent work, ‘Selecta Fungorum Carpologia.’
Mr. Cooke, in his ‘Plain and Easy Account of British Fungi,’ recently published, mentions some species as esculent which are not noticed in this work. I have however no experience of their qualities, and must refer the reader to Mr. Cooke’s book for further information. He mentions Mr. Berkeley as an authority for considering _Agaricus rubescens_ as suspicious; but, from long experience, I can vouch for its being not only wholesome, but, as Dr. Badham says, “a very delicate fungus.”
TO THE RIGHT REVEREND THE LORD BISHOP OF NORWICH.
I had two reasons for desiring that this humble performance should appear under the sanction of your Lordship’s name. Nothing could be more favourable to a Treatise on any department of Natural History, than the approval of one who has been so eminently successful in his cultivation of the same field.
But it is with much greater confidence that I dedicate a work, whose chief object it is to furnish the labouring classes with wholesome nourishment and profitable occupation, to a high functionary of that kingdom, which is distinguished from all others by recognizing the claims and furthering the interests of the poor.
OF THEIR GENERAL FORMS, COLOURS, AND TEXTURE 10
FUNGUSES CONSIDERED AS AN ARTICLE OF DIET 27
CONDITIONS NECESSARY TO THEIR PRODUCTION 47
ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SPORES, OR QUASI-SEEDS[1] 58
OF THE ANNULUS, THE VELUM, AND THE VOLVA 66
OF THE GILLS, TUBES, PLAITS, AND SPINES 69
METHODICAL DISTRIBUTION OF BRITISH ESCULENT FUNGUSES 72