Memoir of the New York State Museum, No. 4, Vol. 3. Edible Fungi 
of New York, 1895-99. Albany, 1900. Charles H. Peck, State 
Botanist. 
In this memoir are gathered descriptions and illustrations of certain 
species, included in Mr. Peck’s reports 49, 51, and 52 ; others are added, 
making a total of 48 species described and figured — all edible but one. 
“This memoir” to quote from the introduction, “constitutes the second 
volume of descriptions and illustrations of New York species of edible 
and unwholesome mushrooms.” The first volume was the well-known 
48th report. 
Mr. Peck’s descriptions are, as usual in his writings for popular 
use, full and convincing. The illustrations, on the other hand, are 
unsatisfactory, and, like many others from the same source, suggest 
an endeavor to make the best of limited appropriations. It is hardly 
necessary to say, however, that this work, as well as Mr. Peck’s annual 
reports, is indispensable to the student of American mushrooms. Mr. 
Peck speaks always with the authority of unequalled experience, for no 
other American author knows our toadstools as he does. 
Of special interest are the figure and discussion of Amanitoftsis stran- 
gulata ’ the treatment of Hygrofthorus fuliginetis , H. //avodiscus and II. 
fin?iiceus, the last a species often mistaken for H. coccineus , and all three 
common in autumn in New England woods ; and the discussion of six 
perplexing species of Hypholoma, of which H. sublateritium (“ Brick- 
top”) is the first. 
The series ends with a fairly good figure of the unwholesome Clitocybe 
illudens , an interesting discussion of which, with an account of a case of 
poisoning by it, written by Dr. W. G. Farlow, may be found in Rhodora 
for March, 1899. 
Fiihrer fur Pilzfreunde. E. Michael. Vol. ii. 1901. $1.75 
Owners of the first volume of Michael’s guide will be pleased to learn 
of the appearance of a second. Its chief feature, as before, is the un¬ 
rivaled excellence of its colored plates, which illustrate 107 species, as 
against 68 in volume one. Included are several Morels, also Geoglossum, 
Leotia, Helvella, Peziza, and three Truffles. As most all the species 
figured are found in America as well as in Europe, the book is quite as 
useful as if prepared expressly for American readers. Even people 
ignorant of German will find the plates useful, they are so true to nature. 
The convenient plan is followed of having the descriptions face the plates. 
No popular book deserves higher commendation than this, and nowhere 
else can such admirable plates be had for such a small price. 
Funghi Mangerecci e Velenosi. G. Bresadola. Milan, 1899. $7.00. 
Here again we have a European work which may be made serviceable 
to American amateurs, to many of whom the botanical terms of the de¬ 
scriptions will be quite as intelligible in Italian as in English. The 
author is a trained student and speaks with authority. He treats of cos¬ 
mopolitan species, and figures, in fairly good plates, 113 of them. Of 
especial interest is the treatment of certain species of Clitocybe, Lactarius, 
and Russula. 
Members of the Club should remember that mushroom books can 
generally be procured to advantage through the Cambridge Botanical 
Supply Co., 1286 Massachusetts avenue, Cambridge, Mass. The Club 
herbarium may be consulted at the same place. 
