REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 1917 



VII 



REPORT OF THE STATE BOTANIST 



Scientific investigations. The investigative work of the State 

 Botanist during the season of 19 17 has been limited to a study of 

 the flora of certain sections of the central and western counties of 

 the State. Early in the season several days were spent in a study 

 of the vegetation of southern Herkimer county, a region of numerous 

 small lakes, bogs and swamps, and the home of several rare species 

 of plants. A visit was also made to Fourth Lake in northern Herki- 

 mer county, and further investigations were made upon the vegeta- 

 tion of several sphagnum bogs through the counties of Oswego, 

 Cayuga, Wayne, Seneca, Monroe and Genesee. At all the localities 

 visited collections were made for the state herbarium. 



A large number of fungi, ferns and flowering plants were collected 

 during the year, many of which were new to the state flora. The 

 ferns and flowering plants of particular interest will be recorded in 

 the State Botanist's report under " Local Flora Notes" and the 

 fungi under " Notes on Fungi." A large number of fungi, some of 

 recent collection, but most of them undetermined species collected 

 by Doctor Peck and others, were studied and identified in col- 

 laboration with Prof. John Dearness and will be recorded, under 

 " New and Interesting Species of Fungi." 



Considerable progress has been made in the compilation of a list 

 of New York fungi which will also include an arrangement according 

 to the host plants which they inhabit in the case of those saprophytic 

 and parasitic species which are found upon definite hosts. 



Memoir on the Wild Flowers of New York. The photographic 

 work for this project was practically completed in 19 16, and during 

 the past year it was necessary to secure additional photographs of 

 only a few subjects. The manuscript was completed in 191 7 and 

 there remains now only the completion of the engraving and printing. 

 It is expected that this will be finished before the publication of this 

 report. The great amount of detail connected with this undertaking 

 has made it necessary to curtail to a large extent new investigations 

 of a scientific nature. 



Noteworthy contributions to the state herbarium. The chief 

 additions to the state herbarium during the past year in the form 

 of contributions and exchanges are presented in the following list of 

 contributors, which also indicates the number of specimens received 

 from each. 



