Shear & Stevens : Schweinitz Collections of Fungi 335 



" Curtis at first said it was impossible for him to find time to 

 work in the Schweinitz herbarium. 



" In 1 85 1, however, he seems to have spent some time traveling 

 for the sake of his health. In a letter dated October 23, 1851, 

 he mentions some places he visited, and adds : ' My greatest per- 

 formance was 17 hard — desperately hard — days at work on Herb. 

 Schwein.' At this time there seems to have been no mycologist 

 in charge of the herbarium, and Curtis says that the authorities, 

 knowing the collection was of value, had begun baking the speci- 

 mens in order to destroy insects. He was in time to stop this 

 and to start poisoning operations. He then goes on : 'By the 

 great favour of the Curators I was permitted after much hesita- 

 tion and some bargaining to take a specimen from the collection 

 when there were more than two of any species. I thus obtained 

 so many, that with my notes and figures I can now authenticate 

 two thirds of Schweinitz's list, I presume. Where I can divide 

 my specimens I will share with you. Wherever I can make 

 three good fragments I mean to give Fries the third. I can 

 send you 10-1,200 I guess." * 



Evidently Curtis carried out this intention, as the senior writer 

 has seen specimens in the Fries herbarium labeled " Ex Herb. 

 Schwein " in Curtis's hand. 



Curiously enough no mention of Curtis's visit could be found 

 in the Proceedings, from which it seems probable that he dealt 

 only with the "authorities," probably the curator of the collec- 

 tions. Curtis's interests in the herbarium and his concern for 

 its preservation, as well as some indication as to the conditions 

 under which he was allowed to take specimens can be obtained 

 from his letter dated Society Hill, S. C, May 24, 1852, and now 

 in the files of the Academy. 



" I have been informed that the species of plants from different 

 collectors & Authors in the Herb, of the Academy are much 

 intermingled : so that where the same species is had from two or 

 more persons, the specimens cannot be authenticated. If this 

 be so, it is unfortunate & wrong, & will detract greatly from 

 the value of the collection. If possible, such a course should 

 be prevented in future. I hope, however, this is not the case to 



