1 8 The Scottish Naturalist. 



Scottish Fellows of the Society, who should have been present, 

 were conspicuous by their absence. As one chief object that 

 our English friends have in view in coming north is to see and 

 exchange ideas with their Scottish brethren, it seems a pity that 

 some of the latter did not make greater efforts, even at a little 

 personal inconvenience, to attend the conference. Some were, 

 we know, to their own great regret, unavoidably prevented from 

 taking part in the proceedings. 



By the kind permission of the President, the business-meeting 

 and show were held in the Royal Botanic Gardens. 



The conference was opened on Wednesday, October 9th, by the 

 President delivering his inaugural address, which was chiefly de- 

 voted to a review of the life and works of the celebrated Scottish 

 cryptogafiiic botanist I)r Greville — a very appropriate subject, 

 and one which could not fail to be full of interest, especially as 

 coming from one of Greville's most intimate friends. In illustra- 

 tion of Greville's works, a large number of his original drawings 

 — in the possession of Professor Balfour — were exhibited, and 

 elicited universal admiration from their beauty. 



It was unanimously resolved that the next annual conference 

 should be held at Forres, under the presidency of the Rev. 

 James Keith, than whom no one has done more to elucidate the 

 mycology of the north of Scotland. It was also arranged that 

 the conference should take place at an earlier season of the year 

 than the previous ones — probably not later than the middle of 

 September ; so that, with the fine scenery and cryptogamic riches 

 of Forres, as well as its accessibility by rail, a good meeting may 

 be expected. Though no public show is to be held, there will 

 probably be a private exhibition. 



Amongst others, the following papers were read at the meet- 

 ing : Professor Balfour exhibited specimens, and gave notes upon 

 certain new and rare fungi that have appeared in his official resi- 

 dence, Inverleith House. The house had been partially burned, 

 and allowed to remain roofless and exposed to the weather for 

 several months, the consequence of which was, that a large crop 

 of fungi — chiefly Pezizce (including P. adce, Sadl., a beautiful 

 violet-coloured species, named in honour of Miss Ada Balfour, P. 

 cretea, Cke, and P. tectoria, Cke.) The house was not yet free from 

 fungi ; but the species were not of so great scientific interest. 



On behalf of Dr Moore, of Glasnevin Botanic Garden, speci- 

 mens of an Jsoetes, from Upper Loch Bray, county Wicklow, 

 Ireland, were exhibited. This species, which is remarkable for 



