Fungi for the Herbarium 



Sections — A section of a fungus is a very thin slice cut from 

 the plant by running a thin-bladed knife from the top of the cap 

 down through the stem. When well made, sections of young 

 and mature plants are valuable in addition to the notes and dried 

 specimens. A section to be of any value must show the form of 

 the cap; the attachment of the gills to the stem; the thickness of 

 the stem ; and the interior, whether solid, hollow, or stuffed. 

 To preserve the section, it must be placed, while fresh, upon 

 a sheet of gummed paper, and then covered with a sheet of 

 waxed paper, and placed between driers, under heavy pressure. 



Poisoning Herbarium Specimens— It will be found necessary 

 to use every means possible to keep insects from the herbarium, 

 as fungi are particularly subject to such pests. In order that no 

 eggs and larvae may be packed away with the dried plants, it 

 will be well to apply a poisonous solution to the specimens just 

 after they have been moistened to be put into press. Professor 

 Peck, the State botanist of New York, uses a solution made by 

 dissolving strychnine in warm water, and then adding alcohol 

 in sufficient quantities to make the mixture spread easily with a 

 brush. 



Sulphate of strychnia ys ounce 



Warm water 4 or 5 ounces 



Alcohol About 2 ounces 



In addition to this precaution, the specimens must be kept 

 where insects cannot get at them, or the havoc which they make 

 will be disastrous. An ingenious person can improvise all the 

 apparatus necessary for a successful collection of moderate size; 

 and then, if his enthusiasm continues, he can provide himself 

 with everything of the most improved style from dealers who 

 make a specialty of botanical supplies. 



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