32 NEW YORK STATE MUSETM 



III 



REPORT OF THE STATE BOTAXTST 



The following" is a summary statement of the progress and results 

 of the work of the State Botanist for the past year. 



Specimens of plants for the herbarium have been collected in the 

 eastern, northern and western part of the State. They are from the 

 counties of Albany, Chemung, Columbia, Essex, Greene, Livingston, 

 Rensselaer, Saratoga, St Lawrence, Steuben, Ulster and Warren. 

 The number of species of which specimens have been added to the 

 herbarium, including those collected and those contributed by cor- 

 respondents, is 269. Of these, 79 species are new to the herbarium 

 and 23 are considered new to science. The new species are all fungi. 



One hundred and seventy-six persons have contributed specimens. 

 This number also includes those who sent specimens for identifica- 

 tion only, if the specimens were collected in this State and were 

 desirable additions to the herbarium. There were made 2419 iden- 

 tifications of specimens sent by correspondents or brought to the 

 office by inquirers. Both the number of persons for whom identifica- 

 tions were made and the number of identifications are decidedly 

 larger than in any previous year. For 1909 the corresponding 

 numbers are 152 and 1717. This indicates a gratifying increase in 

 the general desire for botanical knowledge. 



Specimens of five species of Crataegus have been added to the 

 very large number already represented in the herbarium. Four of 

 these are new to our flora. 



vSpecimens of five species of mushrooms have been collected, 

 tried for their edible qualities, and approved. These make the 

 number of our New York edible species and varieties now known 

 205. Life-size colored figures and full plain descriptions of the 

 five added species have been prepared. One species has been found 

 to be remarkable for its sudorific qualities. If eaten freely it causes 

 profuse perspiration, but no other inconvenience. Its flavor, texture 

 and digestibility are faultless, but it should be considered medicinal 

 rather than edible. 



In pursuance of a previous plan, a monograph of the New York 

 species of Ilypholoma has ])een prepared. The genus includes sev- 

 eral sections which, while agreeing in the common character of 

 having a marginal veil, arc in no other respects quite unlike each 

 other. This, coupled with the fact that in any one group closely 



