REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR I916 I3 



the growing importance of his work makes it imperative that he 

 should have more help. In its present equipment the zoology divi- 

 sion does not balance with the other divisions of the Museum, and 

 with the burden of work which the division presents, practically 

 no time is permitted to the zoologist for scientific investigations. 



The collection of reproductions of edible and poisonous fungi, 

 contemplated in the last report of the Director, has now been 

 completed to its present possible limits. Fifty-nine reproductions 

 in specially prepared composition, have been made by Mr Mar- 

 chand and are temporarily installed in the end room of the east 

 mezzanine. They will eventually be displayed more centrally in 

 the rotunda, between the corridors, where their extraordinary 

 workmanship will be more effectively presented. Doubtless this 

 collection should be increased in size, although it now includes the 

 most obvious edible species and a few of the noxious forms. It 

 is hoped that the presentation of this illustration of fungi may 

 encourage a closer familiarity with this important source of 

 nitrogenous food. But very few species growing in this State are 

 poisonous. The great majority are edible, at least by most people. 

 It happens, however, that the most poisonous species are often 

 the most striking and attractive, and it is quite essential that 

 gatherers and eaters of mushrooms should recognize these noxious 

 species first of all. 



It has not thus far been possible to make an effective installa- 

 tion of the bota.nical collections. Botanical material seldom lends 

 itself to public display, and though the herbarium of the Museum is 

 of a very large size, it must of necessity be kept in the background. 

 There is very little room in the Museum at present that can be 

 utilized for such botanical exhibit. The woods of New York 

 have been arranged in the botanical room in the east mezzanine, 

 and it is planned to introduce there or elsewhere in the Museum 

 a display of reproductions of the pharmaceutical plants of New 

 York. This display, if effectively rendered, should be of distinct 

 educational value. 



The west mezzanine room, which is continuous with the Iroquois 

 floor, has hitherto been used for lecture purposes and temporary 

 exhibits. As the Museum needs a place for lectures, not far away 

 from immediate association with the exhibit halls, it has been found 

 convenient to utilize this for such purpose, even though its seating 

 capacity is small. The room is still reserved for this use, but its 

 walls have, been utilized for the purpose of displaying a series of 



