1886. ] BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 143 
in with the small boxes in my pockets, the larger ones in one hand and the basket 
in the other, with the folded papers on the top of the lid between the handles. 
The strong knife is used for digging, or for prying off pieces of wood, bark, 
etc. The sharp knife shaves off thin slices bearing Myxomycetes, molds, 
Pyrenomycetes, etc. I seldom go after specimens of fungi in the afternoon, 
but usually return with my specimens at noon. They are immediately spread 
out on the floor on newspapers to dry and to be examined ; the caps of Agarics 
and Boleti are cut off and placed on white paper to catch the spores, a glass 
slide being slipped under also. After dinner the most perishable specimens, 
Coprini for BRSIDDIS, are immediately figured; those that will keep over night 
ean be figured next Sine The figures are made the easiest, quickest and best 
with oil on prepared paper. Our sheets are 7 by 10 inches. We sometimes use 
water colors for ake branched Clavarias and for small Pezizas. There need 
be no attempt at picture making in these figures; the outlines must be brought 
out exactly in true perspective and the colors and gloss must be perfect. In 
the afternoon, too, the fleshy perishable fungi should be carefully examined 
and determined if possible. Some will probably get away every time before 
they can be satisfactorily made out and figured. Such as appear to be new 
species should be caréfully described, using the nearest related species as a 
model, carefully stating the points of difference and indicating its proper piace 
in the genus. New species will do to rest in the stocks a long time; and you 
will find after a while that three-fourths of them have been described, and then 
you can publish the remaining fourth. My note book has “n. sp.” in it four 
or five years old, and I am not the least afraid somebody will find them and 
publish before me.’ 
dry my specimens around the stove if there is a fire, as in autumn, or in 
a warm dry attic insummer. The air should not be too hot, as in an oven; 
warm dry air from a furnace is excellent, and the specimens can be placed on 
the register. After being thoroughly dried they can be dampened by being 
rolled up in a Pigee of ist ne repAper bas “4 short ae a a spread out and 
subjected tog Dried A; 
however, are wot very Se specimens without their figures ; they setiiees 
preserve any microscopic characters, like Pezizas. Dried puff- -balls, however, 
are extremely valuable specimens ; they should be stored away in boxes and 
kept in their natural shape. I store up Polypori in the same way.—A. Fr. 
MorGan — 
Of he e fleshy fungi, the living plant is in the best condition for study and 
identification, properly dried specimens stand next, an and mo 
specimens are third in value. Alcoholic specimens, badly pressed specimens, 
and sections or fragments dried in the plant press, are practically worthless for 
these purposes. 
Select the best specimens and mapeet old, worm-eaten, water-soaked, badly 
deformed or oth Collect freely of each species when- 
ever it is possible, for some specimens met be spoiled in drying or in analyzing, 
some may be needed for exchanges, and at least four should be or the 
herbarium. Ii the pileus is hygrophanous, viscid, or striatulate, these Pola 
ters should especially be noted. There is also some advantage in ascertaining 
