Parts 1 explains the descriptive terminology used for agarics (mushrooms and toadstools) and bracket fungi.

Part 2 defines the agaric "Stature types". These were the basis of Fries’ classification at the beginnings of agaricology. They have been used more or less unchanged by successive generations until superseded by Singer’s "modern classification" which has in turn been superseded by the DNA-based classification.

Part 3 tablulates stature type versus spore print colour as a quick aid to identification.

Part 4 offers a key to genera based on macroscopic characters.