Report oF THE Boranist. oN 
It is with pleasure that acknowledgment is made of the aid 
received from the botanists of the State. Several of them have con- 
tributed liberally and furnished specimens of some very rare and 
interesting plants. Though all are good, it seems but just to make 
special mention of the large contribution of fungi made by Dr. 
Howe, and numbering two hundred and sixty-seven species. The 
whole number of species represented by contributed specimens is 
three hundred and forty-six, of which two hundred and six were 
neither represented in the Herbarium nor among my collections of 
the past season. <A list of the botanists with their contributions is 
given in a paper marked D. 
It is an interesting fact that the past season appears to have been 
one prolific in white flowered varieties. Species which have 
been occasionally observed to produce white flowers appear to have 
manifested an unusual tendency in that way, while others have been 
found for the first time, so far as we know, with such flowers. 
Spiria tomentosa, Z., Cirsium arvense, Scop., Malva moschata, Z., 
Viola cucullata, Azé., Trifolium pratense, Z., Statice limonium, Z., 
Gentiana saponaria v. linearis, Gray, have been observed by me 
with white flowers, while Cypripedium arietinum, 2. Br., Lobelia 
syphilitica, Z., and Lobelia kalmii, Z., have been reported to me; 
the last one, however, from Michigan. What natural causes or con- 
ditions produce this variation in the color of the flower, and how far 
may these causes be under human control ? 
People are desirous of knowing the uses of plants. “ What is the 
use of these things” is almost the first question uttered by many in 
reference to the botanist’s treasures. Mere boys have frequently 
propounded it to me, and indicated a willingness to look after “ such 
things,” could they be assured of any material benefit to be derived 
from them. All readily admit the value of our cultivated plants, 
but few consider the wild ones, and especially those of the lower 
orders, to be of any account or importance. But the cultivated ones 
have been brought into the service of man from Nature’s broad field, 
and additions are occasionally made to their number. Doubtless 
plants are now to be found growing wild in our woods and waste 
places, which, by cultivation, might be made as valuable as those in 
our fields and gardens. Asclepias cornuti might rival the Asparagus 
plant, Apios tuberosa, the Potato, and several of the Leguminosee 
might come into equal value with Peas and Beans. But we may not 
look for useful plants among the higher orders alone. Mushrooms 
