8 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



of the earliest spring flowers in April 191 6, the work was carried 

 forward and completed late in September of the past year. During 

 the two months of 191 5 and the six months from April 15 to Sep- 

 tember 15, 19 1 6, there were photographed in the field 364 species 

 of plants which, because of their conspicuous flowers or attractive 

 appearance might be classed under the rather indefinite term of 

 " wild flowers." 



The 364 illustrations will be in colors and grouped on about 264 

 plates, of which 155 plates will have each a single illustration and 

 the 97 remaining plates will contain two illustrations each. The 

 text will consist of a brief description of each species together with 

 its range and such other remarks concerning its habitat as seem 

 proper. 



By means of a specially constructed apparatus as shown in 

 the accompanying illustration (figure i) each flower was photo- 

 graphed in position as it grew, without any interference from wind 

 or excessive sunlight. For each subject there were taken one or 

 two (usually two) dry-plate photographs and one Lumiere 

 (autochrome) photograph. These were usually developed within a 

 few hours so that any serious faults might be corrected by taking 

 another exposure of the subject. 



It is proper to remark here that the success of these photographs 

 is largely due to the skill, patience and enthusiasm, often under 

 disagreeable physical circumstances, shown by the two photograph- 

 ers employed: Mr Walter B. Starr of the Matthews-Northrup Com- 

 pany, Buffalo, and Mr Harold H. Snyder of the Zeese-Wilkinson 

 Company, New York. 



Each subject photographed was given a nimiber in order to 

 facilitate the designation of them in subsequent correspondence, 

 engraving and arrangement in final order. Photographic proofs 

 of the dry plates were marked with directions for size of completed 

 illustration and such other alterations as seemed desirable and 

 duplicate copies of such proofs were kept on file in the Botanist's 

 office. From retouched photographs approved by the Botanist, 

 the engraving companies made their plates for engraving, which 

 were etched down with the autochrome positive as a color guide 

 imtil each of the iour copper plates gave the proper register of color 

 when used upon the press in combination with one another, that 

 is to say, blue, yellow, red and black. 



Noteworthy contributions. The most important additions to 

 the state herbarium during the past year are contributions of 

 specimens from Prof. J, J. Davis, of Madison, Wis., the New York 



