6 Report of the State Botanist. 



Notes and observations upon species previously reported, 

 together with descriptions of new or interesting forms and 

 varieties of them, are marked E. To this record 1 have added 

 descriptions of our New York species of Pluteolus and Galera. 

 They are marked F. 



That there is a growing demand for a better knowledge of our 

 fungi, especially of those of economic importance, is plainly 

 evident. The frequent inquiries received at the office of the 

 Botanist concerning them, and the numerous specimens sent to 

 him for identification, are an evidence of this fact. The use of 

 the edible fleshy species for food is rapidly on the increase in 

 this country, and yet very many who would gladly avail them- 

 selves of the agreeable and nutritious diet afforded by our 

 numerous esculent species are debarred from doing so by a lack 

 of the knowledge necessary for a proper discrimination between 

 the good and the bad or worthless. With this knowledge the 

 fear of being poisoned by the bad would no longer prevent the 

 use of the good. With it many whose circumstances are such as 

 to make it difficult or impossible to procure an adequate supply of 

 animal food might often obtain a very good substitute for it by 

 the slight labor of gathering it in the fields and woods. Euro- 

 pean works on this subject are not readily available because of 

 , their high price and are not generally satisfactory because the 

 species in this country are not wholly the same as in that ; or if 

 the price is not great then the deficiency in the number and 

 character of the illustrations is likely to be an objection. In 

 view of these facts it was very gratifying to me to receive from 

 your office directions to prepare for publication full-size colored 

 plates of the edible and poisonous mushrooms of the State, 

 together with brief descriptions and notes. In accordance with 

 these directions thirty-six quarto plates, on which are repre 

 sented fifty-nine edible species in natural size and color, have 

 been prepared. Also, four plates representing in like manner 

 three poisonous species. In all cases where it is important these 

 plates show both the young and the mature plant and the prin- 

 cipal variations in color and shape. Vertical sections of the 

 plants are also depicted in order to show the internal structure 

 and color, to which have been added, for the advantage of 

 students of mycology and others who may be fortunate enough 



