[25] DIRECTIONS FOR COLLECTING PLANTS KNOWLTON. 



sectiou are seen to yield returns in new species and new forms. The 

 number of species of these tiny plants, spoken of under the various 

 names of parasitic fungi, microscopic fungi, and leaf fuugi, often nearly 

 equals tha^; of the flowering plants in the same area. The great bulk 

 of the species are found on flowering plants, but a few occur on ferns 

 and mosses and some are found parasitic on other parasitic fungi- 

 Some of the species on account of their unusual size and abundance on 

 their host plant or their unusual destructivness are sufficiently obtru- 

 sive to be seen by everybody. Such are the orange rust of blackberries 

 and raspberries, the so-called cedar-apples and their alternating forms, 

 the rusts on thorn-apples and crab-apples, the smut on Indain corn and 

 many others. Other species are easy enough to find as soon as they 

 are looked for, but might readily pass unobserved. Such are most of 

 the rusts and mildews and many of the spot diseases. Again others 

 are so inconspicuous as to be seen only by the experienced mycologist. 

 To excel in collecting these plants it is necessary to know something of 

 the science of mycology, and like most any other department of natu- 

 ral history it is of great aid in collecting to know at least a little about 

 the botany of the group in order to know what to look for. 



In general one looks for discolorations of the host plant, for spots on 

 leaves and stems, and for languishing or diseased portions of the plants; 

 for, looked at from the standpoint of the host plant, these minute fungi 

 and their injuries on their hosts are called plant diseases. Close exam- 

 ination of the diseased spot, with perhaps the aid of a lens, will reveal 

 the delicate dustlike spores or minute tufts of the parasites themselves. 



In starting out on a collecting trip one should provide himself with a 

 good hand lens of rather high power (a ^-inch Coddington or Triplett 

 answers very well), a good pocket knife, some wrapping paper and 

 string, and either a portfolio or a tin collecting box, according to whether 

 it is desired to press the plants in the fleld or after return to quarters. 

 One should also carry some envelopes and a few pill boxes. Where 

 large quantities of material are to be collected and when time in the 

 fleld is more valuable than time at home the box will be found prefer- 

 able, for the specimens can be hastily gathered into it in the. field and 

 then put in press at leisure at home. On the other hand, when it is 

 desired to do most of the work in the open air some form of portfolio 

 or hand press may be carried. 



First the procedure with the box will be given. Most of the fungi will 

 be found on the leaves. These the collector picks ofl' the plant and ties 

 up in a bunch with a bit of string or rubber band. Unless the leaves are 

 particularly characteristic of the host plant the collector should secure 

 the flowers, fruit, or other i^arts of the plant which will aid in its identi- 

 fication or which will be a guaranty for this identification. A small 

 branch with the leaves attached is a good deal better than the mere 

 leaves. With grasses always secure the panicles. Wrap the flowers, 

 panicles, etc., with the bunch of leaves, and if you wish to write the 



