134 The Scottish Naturalist. 



tion. The Fungi as usual proved the most attractive feature of 

 the show. These were admirably grouped among moss on long 

 narrow tables, and a fine display of potted ferns, including all the 

 British species, with three exceptions, heightened the effect of the 

 collection. One table was devoted to named specimens, and another 

 to the edible and poisonous species. A separate table was also 

 devoted to named Lichens. The walls were adorned with 

 mounted specimens of various Cryptogams, and with a large col- 

 lection of beautifully hand-painted studies of fungi. Fresh Algae 

 were represented on this occasion. These were placed in flat 

 baths containing salt water, and their odour, especially on the 

 second day, helped to temper that of the fungi. 



A separate room was devoted to dried specimens, and to 

 microscopic demonstrations. In this department all the Crypto- 

 gams were well represented, and only specialists could realise the 

 vast amount of labour which had been expended on these collec- 

 tions. 



It would lead us far beyond the limits of our space to mention 

 even the names of those who contributed, by their energy, to the 

 success of the meeting. Enough to say that their labours had 

 been highly appreciated, and that the impulse which they have 

 given to an interest in Cryptogam ic botany is their highest reward. 

 Such public meetings and exhibitions as those which are held 

 from time to time under the auspices of the Society exert an 

 influence for good beyond awakening the interest in Cryptogamic 

 botany, which is likely to produce direct results to science. They 

 open the eyes of many, if only to wonder. " Notwithstanding the 

 sneers of some people," as was well said by Sheriff Hope, the 

 Vice-President of the Society, in opening the exhibition, " they 

 serve their purpose by providing food for thought, and stimulat- 

 ing a search after the beautiful and the true." Nay, even those 

 who have associated toad-stools only with the moonlight revels of 

 imps and fairies in forest glades, and who seem to feel that we 

 Cryptogamists have robbed them of their poetry by dragging them 

 together into the daylight of such a show, acknowledge that they 

 " shall not be able to kick over a ' paddock-stool ' again without 

 stopping to admire its delicate colour and curious formation, and 

 without a passing reflection on the wonderful family of which it is 

 a member." 



Various excursions were made in the neighbourhood, and the 

 weather proved exceptionably favourable. 



Owing, doubtless, to the meeting being held so early in the 

 season, fewer varieties than usual were met with. Among fungi 

 may be mentioned Agariats virosus Fr. ; A. aureus Mattusch ; 

 A. calamistratus Fr. ; Lactarins capsicum Schulz. ; L. cam- 

 phor atus Bull. ; Poly poms dryadeus P. ; Hydnum gelatinosum 

 P. ; Rhizina undulata Fr. Agariacs virosus, A. calamistratus, 

 Polyporus dryadeus, and R1iizi?ia undulata have been previously 



