6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
respectively designated plants “New to the herbarium” and 
plants “ Not new to the herbarium.” 
The number of those who have contributed specimens of 
plants is 70. This list includes the names of those who sent 
specimens for identification only, if the specimens were of such 
character and condition as to make them desirable additions to 
the herbarium. 
The number of identifications made is 1859; the number of 
those for whom they were made 130. 
A list of the names of the contributors and their respective 
contributions is marked “ Contributors and their contributions.” 
The names of species new to our flora with their respective 
localities, times of collection and remarks concerning them will 
be found under the title “ Species not before reported.” This 
may include such plants as have previously been considered 
forms or varieties of other species, but which are now con- 
sidered worthy of specific distinction. 
New localities of rare species, new varieties and any facts of 
interest that may have been observed will be mentioned under 
the. title ““ Remarks and observations.” 
Species sent for identification, if collected outside the limits 
of our State, have been described under the heading “ New 
species of extralimital fungi,” when no description could be 
found to match them. 
Two species of mushrooms have been tried for their edible 
qualities, and though neither can be considered first class in all 
respects, both have been found to be harmless and palatable 
and have been approved as edible. Colored figures of them have 
been prepared and descripiions will be given in a chapter on 
“Edible fungi.” These make the whole number of New York 
species and varieties of mushrooms now known to be edible 215. 
A small but attractive looking mushroom was discovered 
growing among decaying pine leaves in Richmond county by 
Mr W. H. Ballou. He found it to be very poisonous. It is 
therefore figured and described as a poisonous fungus. 
_ Specimens of seven species of Crataegus or thorn bushes have 
been added to the herbarium. Of this genus of trees and shrubs 
218 New York species are now recognized. Prof. C. S. Sargent, 
the eminent expert crataegologist, has kindly prepared a synopti- 
cal key to our New York species. This was a most difficult and 
intricate piece of work which none but an expert in this peculiar 
branch of botany could well do. In this work he has laid an 
