REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR I919 I7 



State by Dr Henry A. Pilsbry of the Philadelphia Academy of 

 Natural Sciences, the recognized leading authority in this field. This 

 work is now practically complete and it will be offered for publica- 

 tion in the hope of reviving among our people the interest in the 

 " belle science " which was so keenly alive a half century ago. 



BOTANY 



The work of the State Botanist's office during the year ending 

 July I, 1920, has been largely a continuation of lines of investigation 

 and routine previously reported upon. 



Field investigations. During the latter part of the season of 

 1919 there was carried on a continuation of botanical field work in 

 the lake region of central New York, particularly about Oneida lake, 

 and the region immediately to the east of that body of water. 

 Several species of plants and fungi previously unknown to that 

 region were found and added to the state herbarium. Particular 

 attention was given to those fungi known as plant rusts. 



A few days during May 1920 were also spent in the same region, 

 resulting in additional knowledge regarding the early spring vegeta- 

 tion of that region. 



In late June, four days were spent at Lake Bonaparte, northern 

 Lewis county, supplementing field work during early June of 1919, 

 at the same place. The results of these field investigations will 

 appear in the reports of the State Botanist for 1919 and 1920. 



Ferns and flowering plants of New York State. A complete 

 list of the ferns and flowering plants of this State which has been ia 

 course of preparation for some time has nearly reached completion. 

 This list gives the scientific and popular name of every species known 

 to occur within the boundaries of the State, the comparative abund- 

 ance of each one, and in case of those species which are rare, local 

 or very uncommon, the previously published notices of them are 

 cited, and definite reference to authentically determined specimens 

 in the leading herbaria are added. Similar lists have been published 

 upon the flora of New Jersey, Connecticut and other states and have 

 fulfilled a long felt demand upon the part of those interested in the 

 vegetation of these states, both from a popular and from a scientific 

 point of view. 

 i Determinations. During the six months ending July i, 1920, the 

 State Botanist's office has been called upon to determine 165 speci- 

 mens of plants (including fungi and ferns). These determinations 

 were made for 47 persons, only six of which were from outside the 

 State. 



