Annual Report of the State Botanist 1892 - MykoWeb

6
Report of the State Botanist.
Notes and observations upon species previously reported,
together with descriptions of new or interesting forms and
varieties of them, are marked E. To this record 1 have added
descriptions of our New York species of Pkiteolus and Galera.
They are marked F.
That there is a growing demand for a better knowledge of our
fungi, especially of those of economic importance, is ])lainly
evident. The frequent inquiries received at the office of the
Botanist concerning them, and the numerous specimens sent to
him for identification, are an evidence of this fact. The use of
the edible fleshy species for food is rapidly on the increase in
this country, and yet very many who would gladly avail them-
selves of the agreeable and nutritious diet afforded by our
numerous esculent species are debarred from doing so by a lack
of the knowledge necessary for a proper discrimination between
the good and the bad or worthless. "With this knowledge the
fear of being poisoned by the bad would no longer prevent the
use of the good. With it mam^ whose circumstances are such as
to make it difficult or impossible to procure an adequate supply of
animal food mignt often obtain a very good substitute for it by
the slight labor of gathering it in the fields and woods. European
works on this subject are not readily available because of
their high price and are not generally satisfactory because the
species in this country are not wholly the same as in that ;
or if
the price is not great then the deficiency in the number and
character of the illustrations is likely to be an objection. In
view of these facts it was very gratifying to me to receive from
your office directions to prepare for publication full-size colored
plates of the edible and poisonous mushrooms of the State,
together with brief descriptions and notes. In accordance with
these directions thirty-six quarto plates, on which are repre
sented fifty-nine edible species in natural size and color, have
been prepared. Also, four plates representing in like manner
three poisonous species. In all cases where it is important these
plates show both the young and the mature plant and the prin-
cipal variations in color and shape. Yertical sections of the
plants are also depicted in order to show the internal structure
and color, to which have been added, for the advantage of
students of mycology and others who may be fortunate enough