and Laboratory Methods. ^^^^ 



Some Suggestions for the Beginner in Collecting and Studying 



Fleshy Fungi. 



Few persons in our state have any idea of the variety and extent of our fungus 

 flora. And while this is partly due to the inconspicuous nature of these organ- 

 isms, it is largely dependent on the fact that they are usually passed by without 

 attention or shunned as being loathsome or dangerous. But the person who once 

 becomes interested in studying these lowly plants, will soon be led to admire 

 their dainty forms and delicate colorings, and to marvel at their wondrous adap- 

 tations to some special mode of existence. Moreover, many of the native fungi 

 of this state are capable of furnishing a highly prized article of food, which fact 

 is sufficiently interesting to many persons to make this subject an alluring one. 



There is an awakening interest in the study of these lower forms of plant 

 life, however, and an increasing desire for information concerning them. That 

 this knowledge should be disseminated by means of the teachers and through 

 the common schools of our state seems a natural process. Hence, it is with the 

 intention of giving the beginner a general idea of the nature of fungi, as well as 

 some hints as to how to go to work along this line, that these suggestions are 

 presented. 



THE NATURE OF FUNGI. 



Briefly stated, fungi are plants of a low order. They are quite closely related 

 to the sea weeds and the green pond-scums of fresh water, all of which are 

 known as algae. The fungi, however, differ from these plants, and from most of 

 the higher or flowering plants, in the total absence of the green coloring matter 

 (chlorophyll), found in the leaves and young stems of such plants. This green 

 coloring matter enables the plants possessing it to assimilate the raw food mate- 

 rials of the soil and air and thus to build up their tissues on inorganic matter. 

 The fungi, consequently, are unable to live and grow in this manner, but must 

 obtain their nourishment from substances which have been previously organized, 

 or from organic matter. A great many fungi exist wholly at the expense of 

 living plants, animals, or insects, thus forming true parasites. Thus, many of 

 the most destructive diseases of our cultivated plants are due to the attacks of 

 these parasitic species of fungi, such as the mildews, rusts, smuts, and blights. 



A large number of fungi, however, live on decaying organic matter, such as 

 rotting wood and leaves, straw, manure, and the humus in the soil, thus acting 

 the part of scavengers. It is among the members of this class that we find the 

 largest and most showy kinds of fungi, many of which are edible while a number 

 are known to be very poisonous when eaten. 



In its early stages of growth a fungus consists of a very delicate, branching 

 system of cobweb-like filaments or threads, which spread in all directions, in 

 search of nourishment, in very much the same manner as the fine rootlets of 

 other plants. This network of slender threads is known as mycelium or spawn, 

 and serves the purpose of roots and stem. It may be observed by overturning 

 pieces of decaying wood or rotting leaves in the woods, or it can be cultivated 



