967 
CXIX.—COLLECTING AND PRESERVING FLESHY 
FUNGI 
I. 
ced is continually being xm A collectors abroad as to the 
best means of preserving fleshy fu ungi, so o send them home in a 
cótidiiod" suitable for determination. It is by no means an easy task to 
advise, in a general manner, on such a subject, but a few hints may be 
of assistance. The large woody Po olyporei and the leathery species of 
Stereum only require ib ‘be dried (flattened where possible) te be avail- 
able for the herbarium. With the soft and fleshy Agarics the case is 
sketches of the form, size, and colour as in life. It is not absolutely 
essential that they should be coloured, although that is best, but the 
colours must always be stated on the drawings. To assist those who are 
not facile with the pencil, it is recommended that the specimen collected 
should be divided longitudinally through the cap, and down the centre 
of the stem. When this is done one half should be laid on a sheet of 
white paper, with the cut surface downwards, and the outline traced 
carefully upon the paper with a sharp pointed pencil. On removing the 
or markings of the stem. Another copy of the section made side T 
side, on the same paper, would give the outline = the gills, and b 
ittle care and practice it will be found easy to draw the line from the 
stem to the edge of the cap, indicating the point of junction of the gills 
with the flesh of the cap. This should be done very ao Gl ae 
down the stem. Then also it should be shown if the stem is solid or 
hollow. A little colouring, even if not artistic, would be more useful 
than mere description of the general appearance of the Agaric. Then 
should follow copious notes, vt etur all the points essential to a true 
diagnosis :—whether growing wood, or on the ground; whether 
viscid when fresh, or pe rfectly p ; whether of an agreeable or fetid 
odour ; whether qui ite pun or mealy, silky or scaly ; whether acrid 
mild ; th 
t r pungent ild; whether moderately persistent or 
deliquescent ; and, if the nuc is not coloured, then to state the colou 
o he stem, and gills, as explicitly as possible. It need 
s tbat the locality and date should be indicated together 
with a number which should also be attached to the specimens or their 
remains. These latter should be dried as thoroughly as possible, and 
sent with the sketches. 
The only process of drying which can be recommended, as applicable 
abroad, is to expose the Agaries or Boleti, or other fleshy fun ngi, to a free 
current of air so as completely to deprive ‘them of moisture. Care must 
be taken at this point that the specimens are not attacked by insects. 
When dried but not brittle a little pressure may be ru so that the 
specimens may be flattened to assure greater convenience in packing. 
Carefully eut sections through the centre of the pileus and pmo would 
U 60824.  750.—10/89. Wt. 1. a2 
