It is better for the student to first become familiar with the common species, one at a time, than to attempt tracing the rare or many. Worry, fatigue and uncertainty are plentiful in an indiscriminate gathering of fungi. One species a day, properly traced and named, means learning three hundred and sixty-five species a year. [Sidenote: The Glossary.] Unfamiliar terms will be encountered in the descriptive text. The Glossary defines them; and not only those in this book, but, it is believed, all those found in other books upon fungi. Where possible throughout the text, botanical terms have been anglicized. The meanings of those remaining unchanged should be memorized. It is quite as easy, and far better, to learn the botanical names of species and their characteristics, as to learn their common names; easier in fact, for the common names often vary with locality. The writer received a letter from an Alsatian living in St. Louis, telling him of favorite fungi he used to eat when in his own country. To all he gave local names, not one of which could be referred to the particular species meant. Success and pleasure in the study of fungi will attend the student who observes carefully and who systematically records that which is observed. ABBREVIATIONS OF THE NAMES OF AUTHORS OF SPECIES A. and S., Albertini and Schweinitz Arrh., Arrhenius B. or Bull., Bulliard Bad., Badham Bagl., Baglietto Bat. or Batsch, Batsch Batt., Battara Berk. or M.J.B., Berkeley Berk. and Br., Berkeley and Broome Bolt., Bolton Bon., Bonorden Boud., Boudier Boud. and Pat., Boudier and Patonillard Bref., Brefeld Bres., Bresadola Brig., Briganti Brond., Brondeau Brot., Brotero