REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR AND STATE GEOLOGIST 1902 



rl53 



our efforts to unfold the riches of our mycologic flora. Several 

 species of thorn bushes and trees, new to our State, have been 

 discovered, the exact number of which can not be stated till 

 their careful study and examination have been completed. The 

 region about Albany has been found to be unexpectedly rich in 

 species and will probably afford one or more new to science. 



Fair progress has been made in the collection of specimens 

 of mushrooms and other fungi for the herbarium and for the 

 economic exhibition of these interesting plants, many of which 

 arc yet to be examined. Mushrooms were not as plentiful as 

 the rainy character of the season might lead one to suspect. 

 An excess of moisture may be unfavorable to their develop- 

 ment as well as a deficiency of it. Unless accompanied by a 

 favorable temperature, rain will not make mushrooms plenti- 

 ful. The prevailing low temperature has doubtless prevented 

 the development of many species that rejoice in very warm 

 weather. 



A few species have been subjected to a test of edibility, some 

 of which have been found worthy of addition to our list of 

 edible species. 



An attempt was made to collect specimens of all our poison- 

 ous and suspected species of mushrooms for the purpose of 

 having them chemically analyzed and of publishing figures of 

 all of them, but, owing to their scarcity, it has not been possible 

 to complete this work. 



For the detailed report of the work Of this division see bul- 

 letin 67. 



ARCHEOLOGY 



During the past year Rev. William M. Beauchamp has done 

 150 days' work on archeologic bulletins for the State Museum, 

 having completed one on metallic implements and another on 

 metallic ornaments. Two others require only final touches. 

 One is on the aboriginal use of wood and the other on the 

 Perch Lake and other mounds. Material has been partially 

 collected for other bulletins. 



