Report of the Botanist. 27 



It is with pleasure that acknowledgment is made of the aid 

 received from the botanists of the State. Several of them have con- 

 tributed liberally and furnished specimens of some very rare and 

 interesting plants. Though all are good, it seems but just to make 

 special mention of the large contribution of fungi made by Dr. 

 Howe, and numbering two hundred and sixty-seven species. The 

 whole number of species represented by contributed specimens is 

 three hundred and forty-six, of which two hundred and six were 

 neither represented in the Herbarium nor among my collections of 

 the past season. A list of the botanists with their contributions is 

 given in a paper marked D. 



It is an interesting fact that the past season appears to have been 

 one prolific in white flowered varieties. Species which have 

 been occasionally observed to produce white flowers appear to have 

 manifested an unusual tendency in that way, while others have been 

 found for the first time, so far as we know, with such flowers. 

 Spiria tomentosa, L., Cirsium arvense, Scop., Malva moschata, L., 

 Yiola cucullata, Ait., Trifolium pratense, L., Statice limonium, L., 

 Gentiana saponaria v. linearis, Gray, have been observed by me 

 with white flowers, while Cypripedium arietinum, R. Br., Lobelia 

 syphilitica, L., and Lobelia kalmii, L., have been reported to me ; 

 the last one, however, from Michigan. What natural causes or con- 

 ditions produce this variation in the color of the flower, and how far 

 may these causes be under human control ? 



People are desirous of knowing the uses of plants. " What is the 

 use of these things" is almost the first question uttered by many in 

 reference to the botanist's treasures. Mere boys have frequently 

 propounded it to me, and indicated a willingness to look after '' such 

 things," could they be assured of any material benefit to be derived 

 from them. All readily admit the value of our cultivated plants, 

 but few consider the wild ones, and especially those of the lower 

 orders, to be of any account or importance. But the cultivated ones 

 have been brought into the service of man from Nature's broad field, 

 and additions are occasionally made to their number. Doubtless 

 plants are now to be found growing wild in our woods and waste 

 places, which, by cultivation, might be made as valuable as those in 

 our fields and gardens. Asclepias cornuti might rival the Asparagus 

 plant, Apios tuberosa, the Potato, and several of the Leguminosse 

 might come into equal value with Peas and Beans. But we may not 

 look for useful plants among the higher orders alone. Mushrooms 



