New York State Museum Bulletin 



Entered as second-class matter November 27, 1915, at the Post-OfHce at Albany, N. Y., under 



the Act of August 24, 191 2 



Published monthly by The University of the State of New York 

 No. 188 ALBANY, N. Y. August i, 1916 



The University of the State of New York 



New York State Museum 



John M. Clarke, Director 



REPORT OF THE STATE BOTANIST 19 15 



John M. Clarke 



Director, Science Department 

 Sir: 



I beg to communicate herewith my report on the work of the 

 State Botanist for the fiscal year 1915. 



Very respectfully 



Homer D. House 



State Botanist 



Scientific investigations. The investigations of the State 

 Botanist during the season of 19 15 have been directed chiefly toward 

 the collection, identification and preparation of specimens of plants 

 and fungi for the state herbarium. A limited amount of time has 

 been spent in the study of the vegetation and ecology of the Oneida 

 lake region. 



The diversified character of the vegetation of New York has 

 attracted the attention of botanists since the earliest colonial days 

 and since the publication at Upsala between the years 1743 and 

 1751 of " Plantae Coldenghamiae " by Cadwallader Colden, the 

 earliest publication relating specifically to the flora of this State, 

 down to the present time, over 350 separate articles and books have 

 been published bearing upon the flora of the State by 185 different 

 authors. The growth of scientific societies in most of the larger 

 cities and the progress of botanical work in colleges and universities 

 throughout the State has contributed largely to the study of local 

 floras with a corresponding increase in the publications upon the 

 vegetation of the State. A complete bibliography which may serve 



