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.

I have the honour to be, my Lord,

With great respect, your Lordship’s

Obliged and humble Servant,

C. D. Badham.

CONTENTS.

Page
ETYMOLOGIES[1]
THE RANGE OF FUNGUS GROWTHS[7]
OF THEIR GENERAL FORMS, COLOURS, AND TEXTURE[10]
ODOURS AND TASTES[13]
EXPANSIVE POWER OF GROWTH[14]
REPRODUCTIVE POWER[16]
MOTION[16]
PHOSPHORESCENCE[18]
DIMENSIONS[18]
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION[20]
USES[21]
MEDICAL USES[25]
FUNGUSES CONSIDERED AS AN ARTICLE OF DIET[27]
MODES OF DISTINGUISHING[40]
CONDITIONS NECESSARY TO THEIR PRODUCTION[47]
FAIRY RINGS[52]
ON THE GROWTH OF FUNGUSES[53]
ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SPORES, OR QUASI-SEEDS[1][58]
OF THE ANNULUS, THE VELUM, AND THE VOLVA[66]
OF THE STALK, AND OF THE PILEUS[68]
OF THE GILLS, TUBES, PLAITS, AND SPINES[69]
METHODICAL DISTRIBUTION OF BRITISH ESCULENT FUNGUSES[72]
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIES:—
Agaricus acris minor[120]
Agaricus alutaceus[117]
Agaricus atramentarius[111]
Agaricus campestris[94]
Agaricus castaneus[143]
Agaricus comatus[112]
Agaricus deliciosus[102]
Agaricus Dryophilus[107]
Agaricus emeticus[118]
Agaricus exquisitus[100]
Agaricus fusipes[141]
Agaricus heterophyllus[113]
Agaricus melleus[139]
Agaricus nebularis[108]
Agaricus Orcella[129]
Agaricus oreades[106]
Agaricus ostreatus[121]
Agaricus personatus[105]
Agaricus piperatus[144]
Agaricus procerus[88]
Agaricus prunulus[85]
Agaricus ruber[115]
Agaricus rubescens[123]
Agaricus sanguineus[120]
Agaricus semiglobatus[108]
Agaricus ulmarius[140]
Agaricus vaginatus[142]
Agaricus violaceus[143]
Agaricus virescens[116]
Agaricus virgineus[145]
Boletus edulis[90]
Boletus luridus[104]
Boletus scaber[103]
Cantharellus cibarius[110]
Clavaria coralloides[135]
Fistulina hepatica[127]
Helvella crispa[130]
Helvella lacunosa[131]
Helvella esculenta[131]
Hydnum repandum[126]
Lycoperdon Bovista[138]
Lycoperdon plumbeum[136]
Morchella esculenta[123]
Morchella semilibera[124]
Peziza acetabulum[133]
Polyporus frondosus[133]
Tuber æstivum[145]
Verpa digitaliformis[132]
CONCLUSION[146]