14 THE CHICAGO ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



by larvae, while insects, birds, squirrels and other small animals, 

 as well as deer and cattle are known to feed upon these plants, 

 suggests that all of these may play some important part in the 

 viability and dissemination of the spores. 



The points mentioned above are only a few of the many that 

 require further study. In fact, there is perhaps no department 

 of biology in which there is more need of earnest, painstaking 

 research at every turn. 



II. COLLECTING AND PRESERVING FUNGI. 



On account of their perishable nature the higher fungi of a 

 locality are often the last group of plants studied. Many species 

 are so short-lived that they must be sketched or photographed 

 and described within a few hours after they are collected, since 

 they lose their shape, color and much of their susbtance in drying. 

 Yet in a group like the Agaricaceae, containing several thousand 

 described species, all characterized by an underground mycelium, 

 a sporophore consisting usually of a stipe expanded at its apex 

 into a pileus or cap which bears upon its inferior surface radiating 

 lamellae or gills, it is' evident that no character, however subtle 

 or insignificant can with safety be overlooked. Therefore it is 

 recommended that in addition to the study of fresh specimens, 

 some of the plants be dried and others preserved in alcohol or 

 formalose. 



The region at the head of Lake Michigan is by no means an 

 ideal one for the collector. The conditions for the highest develop- 

 ment of our plants are an abundance of decaying vegetable mold, 

 an even temperature, plentiful moisture, more or less shade, and 

 the absence of strong air-currents. The nearest approach to 

 these conditions is found in the wooded ravines near the lake 

 shore from North Evanston to the Lake County line. Next to 

 this region in fruitfulness may be mentioned the fringes of timber 

 bordering the Chicago and Desplaines rivers, the prairie groves 

 of DuPage, Will, and the southwestern portions of Cook counties. 

 The sand dunes and cold swamps at the south end of the lake, 

 so rich in the higher flora, contain comparatively few species. 

 Amanitas are fairly common in the dunes, while a few woody 

 species grow upon drift-wood or trees that have been buried by 

 the shifting sands. In the lowlands bordering the swamps may 

 be found some species of Russula and Lactarius. 



The zealous collector may often find plants in the most un- 

 promising places, such as manure heaps near livery stables or 

 greenhouses, among rubbish in dumping grounds or alleys, in 

 weedy areas in waste ground or back yards, in short wherever 

 there is an abundant local supply of decaying organic food. The 

 tract of filled ground along the lake shore from Chicago avenue to 

 Superior street, was for several seasons visited regularly by 

 Bohemians who collected agarics for table use. Agaricus cam- 

 pestris and a few other species must be sought in open fields and 



