REPORT OF THE BOTANIST. 17 
really were the same species. Hverywhere, upon Nipple Top, 
Mt. Colvin, Haystack, Skylight, Mt. Marcy and the marshes 
of the Boreas Ponds, these feeble spruces, struggling for an 
existence in uncongenial places, were badly infested by a spe- 
cies of rust-fungus, Peridermiwm decolorans, that attacks 
and discolors the leaves. But nowhere on the lower and drier 
lands, where the growth of the spruces is more vigorous and 
healthy, was any evidence of the presence of this fungus vis- 
ible. It seems to have been unusually abundant the past sea- 
son, for it was not observed in any of my previous visits to 
the mountains. So many of the leaves were affected that at 
a considerable distance the yellowish hue of the foliage was 
apparent. The effect upon the trees must necessarily be detri- 
mental, but, whether it will prove fatal, future observation 
must tell. 
The bramble rust, Uredo luminata, is rapidly becoming a 
pest to the cultivators of blackberries and raspberries, if we 
may judge from the numerous complaints of its ravages and 
the frequent inquiries fora remedy. It is certainly desirable 
that some one, having facilities for such work, should insti- 
tute a series of experiments for the purpose of discovering 
some effective means of counteracting or preventing its inju- 
rious attacks. The presence of the fungus can be detected 
soon after the leaves begin to expand, and it becomes more 
and more obvious until the whole lower surface of the affected 
leaf is covered with pale blotches. Soon these are ruptured, 
revealing the very bright orange-colored dust —the spores of 
the fungus — which now gives a brilliant hue to the affected 
surface of the leaf, andis ready for dissemination and the 
further extension of the mischief. It would therefore be well 
to employ the remedial agents before the epidermis is rup- 
tured and the spores disseminated. — 
In consequence of the growing interest in the study of 
fungi, and the numerous inquiries concerning the best meth- 
ods of preparing and preserving specimens, it has been 
thought best to give a few brief hints and suggestions in rela- 
tion to their collection and preservation. The collector should 
have a suitable tin box in which to carry his specimens. With 
care, a little ingenuity in placing specimens in the box, and a: 
few small paper boxes for delicate or fragile species, an ordin- 
ary botanical box will answer. A box with partitions, so 
