Catalogue of Fungi

Your clemency, Most Serene Prince, by which you liberated my academic life from heavier burdens, demands a most devoted and faithful expression of gratitude. It was my fixed intention to publicly declare these same sentiments for some time now, yet it was suppressed by insurmountable obstacles. I lament that, on this present occasion, the work does not correspond in its value to either the benefit received or my own vows.

Nevertheless, relying on your clemency, I hope to attain a gracious reception for this little work, to which both the poverty of my talent and the lack of resources denied further perfection.

Monuments of your love toward your subject lands already exist and have been exposed to the world. Among several other sciences, you have deigned to protect the study of nature with your special attention.

By your command, Most Clement Prince, the tireless labors of the immortal Walchius Johann Ernst Immanuel Walch, a noted naturalist have been preserved and collected into a treasure alongside the riches of your museum. The contemplation of this collection will, in later times, render the mind of the observer most devoted to its founder.