It may also become a cruelty, to describe varieties under different specific names, in as far as it may lead to fatal consequences. In my endeavour to make my work most useful, I had taken in, in general, such varieties only, especially of the well-known species, as should add another example, rather than become a counter-part of another work. For example, of Agaricus glutinosus of Curtis's Flora Londinensis, I have figured varieties found under different circumstances from those which he has figured, and have added a conical variety to shew one of its extremes, and for the useful purpose of identifying it in the state in which it was gathered, and had nearly proved fatal to a family that had eaten of it, (see tab. 248) as has been the case at Mitcham in Surrey, and Christ-Church in Hants; see description.
I intend to finish models of the more particularly poisonous Fungi, and of those which are edible, to prevent, as far as possible, future mistakes, for the use of the Public, and request those who have opportunities to help in their investigation, to favour me with information. I hope also that such persons will exert themselves to make the poisonous ones known as much as possible. Every Clergyman, Gentleman, Physician, and Apothecary, or public character looked up to for information, throughout the kingdom, should get acquainted with them for this philanthropic purpose; for which, and for other useful purposes, I have long kept my Collection open for public inspection every first and third Tuesday in each month, from Eleven until Three o'Clock.
