50 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



V 

 REPORT OF THE STATE BOTANIST 



Resignation of Dr Charles Horton Peck, State Botanist. Be- 

 cause of advancing years and impaired health, Doctor Peck has 

 resigned from the scientific service and in accepting his resignation 

 the Regents of the University spread upon their records the fol- 

 lowing minute : 



The service rendered to the State by Charles Horton Peck D.Sc, 

 who has just retired from his position as State Botanist, has been 

 extraordinary in its fidelity, assiduity and productiveness. Doctor 

 Peck entered the staff of the State Museum as botanist in 1867, 

 and from that date to the present his service has been continuous — 

 a period of 48 years. In 1883 the position of State Botanist was 

 created and he has been its only incumbent. 



The nearly half century of his scientific activity became an epoch 

 in the science of botany in America, by virtue of the extensive 

 contributions which he made, not alone to the knowledge of the 

 flora of New York but specially through his almost pioneer in- 

 vestigations among the fungi. His researches in this field vastly 

 increased the sum of knowledge and established an orderly and 

 rational classification so that his published papers, issued in the 

 reports of the State Museum, are indispensable to any student of 

 these forms of life. The number of species discovered and de- 

 scribed by him are counted by thousands and the additions made 

 through his efforts to the State herbarium are so extensive that 

 this collection of plants is today among the largest on the continent 

 and of great scientific worth. By common consent of his colleagues 

 Doctor Peck has long been recognized as the ultimate authority 

 in mycology — the field of his special labors. 



In view of these services whose value to the State can not be 

 briefly estimated or readily expressed, the Regents take this occasion 

 to record, with their regret that the exactions of time have impelled 

 him to retire from the service Of the University and the State, 

 their congratulations to Doctor Peck upon a life well rounded and 

 work well done, with their assurance of continued interest and 

 deep regard for his welfare during the years that may remain. 



In view of the resignation of Doctor Peck, Doctor Homer D. 

 I louse lias been appointed -Acting State Botanist until such time as 

 the Civil Service Commission shall determine the status of the 

 position. 



