History of the Fungi of the Kingdom of Naples

...of them. No particular order, however, had to be maintained by me in their distribution; for those that I happen to encounter in my annual travels are described immediately in the nearest specimens, and from there, at the end of the work, their crowd can be reduced to a method. Regarding the genera established by the praised Persoon and Fries in the mentioned volumes, I have embraced the reasoning of those authors in the descriptions of the species and varieties. To these, so that their determination might be clearer, I have added native locations, more approved synonyms, and accurate observations. I have admitted only those plates from iconographers that I was able to consult ourselves, and which experience has taught should be considered reliable. As far as possible, I have also investigated the use of some fungi, especially if they were for eating, so that the edible might be distinguished from the harmful. For this subject is understood only by industrious men and those taught by long experience, since not a few of the lethal ones are found to be very similar to the edible ones, and they often excite the palate of gourmands with their pleasantness to such a degree that they not rarely lead them into the danger of death.

For a greater understanding of this kind of exercise, and so that nothing of aid is lacking for students of this matter, as is the custom, I have added plates not painted by a crude hand, where each fungus, colored with great care in true colors, offers itself in its own stature and native position. Indeed, I have taken care to present it either face-up or longitudinally dissected, so that the texture of the hymenium the fertile spore-bearing tissue may be clearly seen, and those parts that emerge obscurely may be augmented with the help of a magnifying glass, so much so that an easy knowledge of the matter is rendered even from the painting alone. Indeed, I had to undertake no small amount of labor to prepare both their history and...