PREFACE 



" Various as beauteous, Nature, is thy face ; 

 * * * all that grows, has grace. 

 All are appropriate. Bog and moss and fen 

 Are only poor to undiscerning men. 

 Here may the nice and curious eye explore 

 How Nature';; hand adorns the ruby moor ; 

 Beauties are these that from the view retire, 

 But will repa}' th' attention they require." 



Botany and geology have been favorite studies of the author since leaving 

 college, thanks to Dr. Nelson, who lives in the hearts of all his students. He, 

 by his teachings, made these subjects so attractive and interesting that by one, 

 at least, every spare moment has been given to following up the studies of botany 

 and paleontology. But the mycological part of botany was brought practically 

 to the author's attention by the Bohemian children at Salem, Ohio, at the same 

 time arousing a desire to know the scientific side of the subject and thus to be 

 able to help the many wh^ were seeking a personal knowledge of these interesting 

 plants. 



Every teacher should be able to open the doors of Nature to his pupils that 

 they may see her varied handiwork, and, as far as possible, assist in removing 

 the mist from their eyes that they may see clearly the beauties of meadow, wood 

 or hillside. 



In beginning the fuller study of the subject the writer labored at great dis- 

 advantage because, for a number of years, there was but little available literature. 

 Every book written upon this subject, in this country, was purchased as soon 

 as it came out and all have been very helpful. 



The study has been a very great pleasure, and some very delightful friend- 

 ships have been made while in search for as great a variety of species as possible. 



For a number of years the object was simply to become familiar with the 

 different genera and species, and no photographs of specimens were made. This 

 was a great mistake ; for, after it was determined to bring out this work, it seemed 

 impossible to find many of the plants which the author had previously found in 

 other parts of the state. 



However, this failure has beei. very largely overcome through the generous 

 courtesy of his esteemed friends, Mr. C. G. Lloyd, of Cincinnati; Dr. Fisher, 

 of Detroit ; Prof. Beardslee, of Ashville, N. C. ; Prof. B. O. Longyear, of Ft. 

 Collins, Col., and Dr. Kellerman, of Ohio State University, who have most 

 kindly furnished photographs representing those species found earlier in other 

 parts of the state. The species represented here have all been found in this state 

 within the past few years. 



(ix) 



