194 The Scottish Naturalist. 



Excursions were made to Bute and Ardgowan, where the 

 members were hospitably received by the Marquis of Bute, and by 

 Sir Michael and Lady Octavia Shaw Stewart. Fungi were not 

 very abundant, and we have no varieties to record. The only 

 plant worthy of special notice is the rare lichen Ricasolia 

 aniplissima, which was found by Dr. Macmillan at Ardgowan. 

 The season has been a peculiar one as regards the crop of fungi. 

 In some localities, for short periods, immense crops of the 

 commoner species sprung up, while in others they were altogether 

 absent. This is to be accounted for by the presence or absence 

 of autumn rain after protracted drought. It is worthy of note, 

 however, that in all parts of the country, even during the continu- 

 ance of drought, the common mushroom, Agaricus campestris^ was 

 exceptionally abundant. 



A public exhibition of Cryptogamic plants was held, under the 

 auspices of the Society, in the_ JialLof the Watt Institute ; and a 

 sufficient supply of the larger fungi was forthcoming to cover the 

 tables, which were adorned with potted ferns. Space was 

 devoted to a scientific arrangement of fungi, and to collections of 

 edible and poisonous species. Fine collections of mounted ferns 

 by Mr. William Stewart, Glasgow; of Mosses by Dr. Stirton, 

 Glasgow;. and of seaweeds by Mr. James Cook, Paisley, were ex- 

 hibited and much admired. A glass case containing beautiful 

 specimens of Agaricus campestris, and its varieties, sent from the 

 Mushroom beds in the old railway tunnel at Scotland Street, 

 Edinburgh, attracted considerable attention. 



The thanks of the Society are due to the Local Committee and 

 especially to Dr. M. Calder, local Secretary, for their exertions in 

 securing the success of the meeting, and to the many contributors 

 who enriched the public exhibition. The Society will hold its 

 next annual conference at Inverary. 



J. S. ... 



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