cult to master. Aside from the mere matter of numbers, the species in such genera seem more subject to variation than in others, and appear to run close to, if not into each other. Thus it is in flowering plants with the genus Carex, which of itself is a study of considerable difficulty, and one capable of absorbing the whole attention. And yet, in our state, there are not half as many species of Carex as there are of Agaricus. Nearly two hundred and fifty species of Agaricus have already been detected in this state, and doubtless there are twice that number in the United States. In the Epicrisis of Fries, nine hundred and eighty species are described. Probably no other botanical genus contains as many species as the genus Agaricus. So numerous are they, that when an undescribed species is found, it is not always easy to select an appropriate speciffe name for it, to such an extent have the available names been preoccupied. Indeed, it seems quite clear, that the necessities of the case, will soon require that the subgenera of this unwieldy genus be raised to genera. Some idea of the difficulties experienced by the celebrated Fries, in his early study of this genus, may be formed from his introductory remarks in his Systema Mycologicum. He says in substance, when I commenced the study of this genus the species were vague, the definitions inadequate, the descriptions repetitious, and scarcely a tenth part of the synonymy was accurately determined. Behold, candid reader, in this work the fruits of the labor of ten years.

The variations in the species are sometimes exceedingly perplexing. Two or three common varieties of the fly agaric, Agaricus muscarius, are so well marked as to suggest the question of their specific distinction. They vary in color, in the character and consistency of the warts, and especially in size, the pileus being sometimes one inch across, sometimes ten; the stem varying from one fourth of an inch to nearly two inches in diameter. Equally

wonderful are the variations in the honey agaric, Agaricus melleus. In these plants, favorable conditions seem to transform pigmies into giants.

Another difficulty is found in that singular phase of life called dimorphism. It is by no means of rare occurrence among fungi, yet it is not always easy to trace the connection between the dissimilar forms. Especially is this the case when the two forms are developed on different supporting plants or when they are increased to three or four distinct conditions. In many instances these dimorphic forms were at first described as distinct genera and species, but more recent investigations are tracing their specific union and rapidly reducing the number of so called species. It is manifest therefore that the science of mycology is to a certain extent unsettled and as it were in a transitional state. What is needed is the elimination of these superfluous genera and species as soon as possible or rather their incorporation with and union in permanent ones. This will go far toward simplifying and systematizing the science. Such work might be hastened by a series of experiments, but, owing to the extreme tenuity of the spores and the invisible manner in which they are disseminated everywhere by air and wind, experiments are difficult and very liable to error. It is for this reason that some eminent mycologists receive with hesitation and evident distrust the conclusions drawn from the inoculating experiments of Prof. Ersted, Hoffman and others.

In flowering plants there is a certain degree of permanency of existence and location that enables us to make repeated observations on them if desirable. A rare flowering plant may be discovered in some distant locality but the opportunity may be wanting for learning its whole history immediately. The next season we may repair to the locality at the proper season with a reasonable hope of finding the plant and completing our observations. But

it is not so with agarics. An abundant supply may occur in a given locality one year, and not a single specimen be found there the next year. Some species are like some insects, appearing plentifully one season then disappearing for several. Some are quite ephemeral, coming forth during the night and decaying during the day. Others appear only late in the season and continue but a few days, so that it is not always convenient for the observer to be at the right place at the right time.

Besides, the minute size of many fungi brings into requisition the habit of close attention in their study, a careful training of the eyes to detect them, a sharp discrimination of their essential characters and a most patient use of the microscope, faculties that generally require considerable exercise before they can be readily employed. The difficulty with which specimens of fleshy fungi are preserved must be added as an obstacle to be encountered by the mycologist. Of all plants the Agaricini and some algæ are the only ones that can not be satisfactorily preserved by drying under pressure. The former must be dried first and pressed afterwards. Even then they lose much of their color, character and beauty. If we would preserve all their characters the spores must be gathered and a colored sketch made of the fresh plant. To do this requires considerable time, but toilsome methods of acquiring and preserving a thorough knowledge of these things cease to be irksome when the heart is in the work.

The final and in some respects the most formidable hindrance to the American student of mycology is the want of a satisfactory text book or manual of our species, to guide and aid him in his researches. The nearest approach we have to this desideratum is the Handbook of British Fungi, but this being a manual of British species, describes but a part of our species. Such descriptions of species peculiar to this country as have been published,

are scattered through various magazines, reports and journals, some of which are foreign and not easily accessible or procurable. Some are in Latin only and hence unavailable to many, some were written in the earlier days of the science when microscopes were thought less necessary than now, consequently the spore characters, often very important ones, are entirely omitted, some are so brief that they scarcely serve to distinguish the species in a satisfactory manner.

Such are some of the hindrances to the study of mycology, but instead of operating as discouragements they should act as incentives. Is the field a broad one, there is space for more laborers; is the work surrounded by special difficulties, there is opportunity for the exercise of special talents; has it been passed by and neglected, there are more favorable chances for usefulness, for new discoveries and new additions to our stock of knowledge. It is not the simplest problems that engage the attention of the earnest mathematician, not the most monotonous landscapes that give the most pleasure to the beholder, neither is that science the most attractive that requires in its pursuits but feeble exertion and the exercise of but few of our faculties. In the numerous inquiries for mycological works, in the frequent requests for aid in determining species of fungi and for information upon various matters connected with their study, we think we have sure indications of a growing interest in this branch of botanical science and of the rise of a corps of students and investigators, who will do much toward overcoming all difficulties and placing the mycology of this country in a far more satisfactory condition than that in which we now find it.

The Water Supply of Albany. By PETER HOGAN.

[Read before the Albany Institute, May 20, 1873.],

The subject of a water supply for large cities, involving as it does not only the pecuniary advantages for manufacturing purposes, fire protection and domestic use, but also the sanitary condition of a community, is a problem which in many cases is rendered difficult to solve.

In its varied condition of vapor, liquid and solid form, water is constantly performing some of the most essential and important functions of nature and of the physical purposes of life. It is ever present in the atmosphere, supplying an essential element in the air we breathe. It is present in our food, both liquid and solid, constituting in some of the latter from 75 to 96 per cent of the total amount. The human body itself has full 50 per cent of water in its formation. It is not sufficient, therefore, in providing for a water supply to simply guard against a Chicago or a Boston disaster.' The varied requirements for manufacturing purposes and domestic use, as well as a proper fire protection, should be provided for; but in selecting a source of supply the essential sanitary requirements incident to a densely populated district should be strictly regarded.

The importance of this subject is daily becoming more apparent. Recent investigations have finally discovered the immediate cause of many of the epidemics,― typhoid fever, cholera and other similar diseases, which have long

1 We have just received intelligence of a terrible conflagration at Isaka, Japan, in which many lives were lost; the fire raging a whole day and night; and also of a still greater conflagration at Hong Kong, China, covering an area of 44 acres of buildings, rendering 5,000 people homeless.