6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



respectively designated plants " New to the herbarium " and 

 plants " Not new to the herbarium." 



The number of those Avho 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 136. 



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 descriptions 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 



