State Museum of Natural History. 91 



2. PileuB adorned with blackish scales A. ramentucea. 



2. Pileus variegated with brown spots A. nardosmia. 



2. Pileus without spots or scales 3 



3. Aunulus broad, persistent A. ponderosa. 



3. Annulus narrow, deciduous A. constricta. 



4 Pileus glabrous 5 



4. Pileus adorned with hairy squamules A. mellea. 



5. Stem bulbous A. bulbiger 



5. Stem not bulbous A. robusta. 



(F.) 



New York, December 9, 1889. 

 Chas. H. Peck, State Botanist; 



My Dear Sir. — The growth of fungi on railroad ties, bridge, car 

 and station timbers was unusually prolific the past season, with its 

 large rainfall. Therefore a corresponding increase in tbe rate of 

 decay, the effects of which will be more apparent next year. 

 The fruiting of Lentinus lepideus Fr., on ties of yellow pine, Pinus 

 palustris, Mill, in main-line tracks was so conspicuous in September, 

 1889, as to be noticeable from the trains. Pilei six to eight inches in 

 diameter were frequent, while four in a cluster of smaller diameter, 

 springing from the same mycelium, seemed to be a common mode of 

 growth, this unusually wet season. One pileus in a place is the usual 

 manner of growth in the railroad tracks in an ordinary season. The 

 resinous matter in yellow pine in its natural state does not seem to 

 check the growth of this fungus. 



Agaricus campanella Batsch. was found on white cedar, Ghamcecypai'iH 

 sphceroidea Spack. fruiting from May to October. White Oak, Quereus 

 alba L. frequently showed Polyporus applanatics Fr. in fruit, while 

 Polyporus versicolor Fr. was very abundant. The absence of fungi in 

 fruit upon ties of chestnut, Cadanea vidgaris var. Americana A. D. C. 

 was as striking as its frequency was on other woods. It is a well- 

 known fact that chestnut ties last longer where the ground is damp, 

 than where it is dry. It will be important to observe next year 

 whether the excessive rain of this season has retarded or increased 

 the usual rate of decay in ties of chestnut. One fact is established 

 now; that tbe wood has been softened by the rain and the abrasion 

 under the rails increased. On the railroad bridges the fungus Len- 

 zites sepiaria Fr. has been abundant and destructive. Under the 

 station platforms and the planking of the walks the development of 

 mycelium, generally without fruiting, has been more abundant than 

 usual. It has not, however, set men to thinking as it should, and the 



