[.ca] Toads And Toadstools (ISBN 0890877777)

Interesting, beautifully illustrated:
I was pleasantly surprised by this well illustrated work after I picked up a copy at the San Francisco Fungus Fest (where else?). The author points out that mushrooms and toads are linked in the mythologies of many different cultures, that both can be entheogenic (hallucinogenic), and both are credited with spiritual characteristics. He never does answer the central question - why are toads and "toadstools" so often linked? - but he gives you so much neat art and interesting mushroom/historical lore that you don't really mind. Enthusiastically recommended.

Fraught with Frogs and Fungi!:
A real treat of a book. Morgan peruses various aspects of two subjects that are as different as chalk and cheese biologically, but are frequently linked culturally. Chock full of gleefully esoteric bits of knowledge, the author has done his homework. Even better than the research is that Morgan is his own favorite guinea pig for exploring the physiological effects of these organisms. There are many delightful moments where he dutifully reports in detailed, utterly deadpan fashion the effects of stuffing toxic bits of toad in his nose or sipping his own urine after consuming fly agaric mushrooms. The author's own illustrations are also phenomenal. I especially like the belly-up toad victim of overenthusiastic mating on page 54. It is strangely reminiscent of John Everett Millais' "Ophelia".