Studies of American Fungi. Mushrooms, Edible, Poisonous, etc.

The work surveys the diversity and structure of higher fungi, describing morphology, development, and distinguishing characters used to separate edible from poisonous species. It organizes species by spore color and fruiting type—agarics, polypores, puffballs, coral fungi, morels, and related groups—and provides life-size photographic plates and colored illustrations to aid identification. Practical topics include collection, preservation, selection for the table, culinary recipes, cultivation methods, and economic uses. Appendices offer analytical identification keys, a technical glossary, and a chapter on chemical composition and toxicology to inform safe use.