Anderson & Ickis: Massachusetts Species of Helvella 203 



The distinct species which occur here are comparatively few 

 but the names which have been applied to them are numerous, 

 confusing, and discouraging. In the present paper the writers 

 have attempted (i) to determine according to the international 

 rules of nomenclature what are the correct names for the species 

 which occur here, (2) to indicate which other names are syn- 

 onyms and which names apply to species which are no longer 

 considered as belonging to this genus, (3) to present a key by 

 which any specimen can be quickly placed in its proper species, 



(4) to bring together in one place the original descriptions of 

 all of our species (or Fries' description if described before 1823),. 



(5) to give for each species a full but concise English descrip- 

 tion, based on study of fresh specimens and study of all avail- 

 able literature, (6) to publish photographs of all species of which 

 fresh specimens from which to make them have been obtained. 



In addition to our own collections and exsiccati in the herba- 

 rium of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, the herbaria of 

 Harvard University, Boston Mycological Club, New York Botan- 

 ical Garden, and New York State Museum at Albany have been 

 examined. 1 All the literature bearing on the genus, both Euro- 

 pean and American, has been carefully read. 



Literature of the Genus 



Linnaeus has commonly been cited as authority for the genus 

 name Helvella. He first used it in its present form in the second 

 edition of Species Plantarum (1763). In the ninth edition of 

 his Genera Plantarum, however, Gleditsch (1753) is cited as the 

 authority for the genus name. Gleditsch, however, in his Meth- 

 odus Fungorum, called it Elvcla and included under it various 

 species which we now place in the Helvellales and Pezizales, 

 Jew's ear fungus and many other foreign species, using the 

 polynomial system of nomenclature. This use of the name to 



1 The writers are greatly indebted to Dr. R. Thaxter, of Harvard University, 

 Dr. F. J. Seaver, of the New York Botanical Garden, Miss Jennie F. Conant, 

 of the Boston Mycological Club, and to Dr. H. D. House, New York State 

 Botanist, for the privilege of examining the herbaria under their care, and 

 for many other courtesies and assistance. Dr. Seaver also kindly read the 

 manuscript. 



