Mycological System

Before I undertook this present work, I most diligently sought out, examined, and described fungi in the different provinces of Sweden, in mountainous and flat regions, in coniferous and deciduous forests, for over a decade. The most famous mycologists of Germany have granted me many specimens of new genera and species, of which, however, few pertain to the present volume, since dried specimens cannot be preserved in herbaria. (This reason also seems to be why many modern botanists, more curious about increasing herbaria than the ancients who cultivated science in the lap of nature, hold fungi in low regard). In the following volumes, however, I will most gratefully acknowledge each species to which I owe specimens. Having taken this opportunity, I ask in a friendly manner that those who possess rarer and original specimens of fungi and lichens might wish to communicate them with me. They will find me most prepared to compensate them in these matters.

Then I read through everything that I know has been written about fungi and I have endeavored to convert into my own use, in this work, the parts that pertain to the systematic section. The rest, reserved for theoretical mycology, I was forced to touch upon here and there because of the highest connection between the natural system and physiology. But whoever desires everything collected in a nutshell should approach the most astute work of Nees von Esenbeck (The System of Fungi and Sponges), which I have wished to be entrusted to the most diligent study of everyone. — In the newest literature, perhaps some things not yet arrived to us escape me. I especially regret that I have only been able to inspect the first 401 plates, with some exceptions, in the precious work of Sowerby (English Fungi).

If the more recent authors have contributed less to the knowledge of pileate fungi, there remain the more to be determined among the predecessors of Persoon, which were omitted by him. Of the ancients, I have cited the History of J. Bauhin, as it is most rich in synonyms, and the History of Ray, for its many accurate observations. We have determined that the icons of Vaillant, Micheli, and Buxbaum, as well as those of Battarra, with the exception of one or another Agaricus, are by no means to be despised.