Fungi for the Herbarium 



gelatine makes the spores transparent and even invisible. Their opacity may be 

 secured by previous treatment with a solution of one part mastic in thirty of ether. 



For certain kinds {Tricholoma personatum, Lepiota granulosa, Avianitopsis 

 vaginata, and others vt'hich experiment will discover), ten to twenty-five per cent, 

 of alcohol must be added to the gelatine solution in order to make the spores adhere. 



Experience will doubtless show that other fixatives may be used. Gum arable, 

 for instance, suggests itself. This, however, if strong, is apt to cake the spores to- 

 gether, if one method fails, invention and repeated trials must find a successful 

 means. Reports are requested from all who engage in the amusement of making 

 spore prints. To these a suggestion not without value is that dry agarics (like 

 Marasmitts and some Collybias) may be kept in a condition to shed spores by putting 

 moistened blotting-paper under them. 



Another method of making spore prints is to spray them 

 from an atomizer with a solution of white shellac in alcohol. 

 A saturated solution should be made, and then diluted fifty per 

 cent, with alcohol. 



The Search for a Name. — When looking up a name for a 

 plant, the best plan is to use fresh specimens, and, if a good 

 supply can be had, make a careful comparison of all, so as to be 

 sure that the characteristics are normal and not due to injury. 

 If the attempt to find a satisfactory description is not successful, 

 preserve the specimens dried, together with full notes, and send 

 a part of them to the State botanist for determination. 



The name of a fungus is not the vital thing. In pursuit of a 

 name do not neglect the plant. Observe it as it grows and in 

 its different stages. Make a friend of it, and you will find it 

 good company. 



The Preparation of Rough-dried Plants for the Herba- 

 rium — Put the dried plants in a place where they will absorb just 

 moisture enough to make them pliant. Either put them in a box 

 containing something damp, as a wet sponge, sand, or paper; or 

 spread them where they can absorb the moisture of the atmos- 

 phere without getting too wet. When pliant, bend the stem and 

 cap so that they lie in the same plane, and arrange them in as 

 natural a form as possible; then place them between driers of un- 

 glazed paper, with a weight just sufficient to keep them from 

 curling out of shape. 



Mounting — The specimens may be placed loose in envelopes 

 made by folding paper as for mosses or lichens, or they may be 

 glued directly to mounting sheets, or they may be kept in boxes 

 of varying sizes. 



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