MOSES ASHLEY CURTIS. 353 



1860 ; the other, a catalogue of all the plants of the State, in 

 1867. This includes the lower Cryptogamia, especially the 

 Fungi, of which he enumerates almost 2400 species, while the 

 phaenogamous plants are less than 1900. All our associate's 

 work was marked by ability and conscientiousness. With a 

 just appreciation both of the needs of the science and of what 

 he could best do under the circumstances, when he had ex- 

 hausted the limited field in Phaenogamous botany within his 

 reach, he entered upon the inexhaustible ground of mycology, 

 which had been neglected in this country since the time of 

 Schweinitz. In this difficult department he investigated and 

 published a large number of new species, as well as determined 

 the old ones, and amassed an ample collection, the preservation 

 of which is most important, comprising as it does the speci- 

 mens, drawings, and original notes which are to authenticate 

 his work. By his unremitting and well-directed labors, filling 

 the intervals of an honored and faithful professional life, he 

 has richly earned the gratitude of the present and ensuing 

 generations of botanists. Several years ago he prepared 

 drawings of the edible Fungi of the country, with a view to 

 making them better known in an accessible and popular pub- 

 lication ; but he was unable to find a publisher. He was much 

 impressed with their importance as a source of food. During 

 the hardships of the Rebellion he turned his knowledge of 

 them to useful account for his family and neighborhood ; and 

 he declared that he could have supported a regiment jipon 

 excellent and delicious food which was wasting in the fields 

 and woods around him. 



