Charles Badham (1805-1857) studied medicine at Pembroke College then practised in Rome and Paris for several years until ill health forced him to abandon his medical career. He returned in 1845 and was ordained in 1847. For the remainder of his life, while holding curacies in East Anglia, he devoted himself to natural history. He was a frequent contributor to Blackwood's and Fraser's Magazines, and published three works, Insect Life (1845), The Esculent Funguses of England (1847) and Prose Halieutics, or Ancient and Modern Fish Tattle (1854).

Badham's Italian experience is reflected in the 'Conclusion' of this title in which he discusses the indigenous funguses. His work is credited in being a pioneer for the use of mushrooms in British cooking.

First edition, 8vo. x, 138pp., 20 copperplate engraved plates, 17 (including frontispiece) hand-coloured, plate 17 partially coloured, last three uncoloured, as usual, some light marginal toning, nonetheless very good, publisher's blind-embossed cloth, gilt vignette to upper board, a little rubbed at extremities, faded, rear board lightly mottled, otherwise very good.