Report of the State Botanist. \\ 



have this flavor are esculent. But there are many exceptions to 

 this, for some when first tasted have a pleasant farinaceous flavor, 

 which is quickly followed by one that is bitter or otherwise 

 unpleasant. 



From all this it will readily be seen how diflBcult it is to devise 

 any general practical rule by which to separate the esculent from 

 the dangerous species. 



Probably the phalloid amanita, Amanita phalloides, is the one 

 species above all others that causes the most of the deaths 

 attributed to mushroom poisoning. The cap of this species varies 

 somewhat in color, the form, which is entirely white, being the 

 most common with us and the most often mistaken for the com- 

 mon mushroom. Only gross carelessness, however, could make 

 such a mistake, for in this deleterious toadstool the stem is nearly 

 always much longer proportionately than in the mushroom, it 

 has an abrupt and large bulb at its base which is wanting in the 

 mushroom, and its gills or lamellae on ihe under surface of the 

 cap are always white, while in the mushroom they are, when 

 young, a beautiful pink or flesh color, but when old this changes 

 to a broAU or blackish color. 



Considerable time was occupied in the early part of the year, 

 as will be shown by the monthly reports, in preparing an exhibit 

 of specimens of economic fungi for the World's Columbian 

 Exposition. The questions asked me and the remarks of visitors 

 overheard by me Avhile placing this exhibit in po^iition in the 

 Horticultural Building indicate that it may be a valuable part in 

 the Museum's exhibit as an educator of the public. It is com- 

 posed of 61 species of edible fungi, 63 species of fungi growing 

 on and injurious to wood, 18 species of parasitic fungi which are 

 injurious to cultivated or useful wild plants, and six species that 

 are injurious to noxious weeds and animals, and therefore bene- 

 ficial to man. A list of the names of these species and varieties 

 is marked E. A preliminary list of Hymenomycetous Fungi 

 inhabiting oar principal coniferous trees is marked F. 



liespectfully submitted. 



CHARLES H. PECK. 

 Albany, SejpteTriber 19, 1893. 



