xlviii Journal of Proceedings. 



Saturday, October 2nd, iSSo. — Field Meeting. 



How frequently we have the enquiry from incipient naturalists, "What 

 shall I study — how shall I begin ? " Those who attended this meeting 

 had both precept and example to direct their choice, and to point the 

 way, into one at least of the byepaths of Nature which it is the duty 

 and pleasure of the naturalist to tread. The byepath is one which 

 needs careful journeying, for it is strange and difficult, and often but 

 dimly defined, although full of interest, and beauty, and wonder, to the 

 enthusiastic wayfarer. It traverses the province Cryptogamia, once of 

 great empire and dignity in the kingdom of Nature, but now seen of 

 humbler guise ; our horsetails, ferns, and mosses are but dwarf and 

 degenerate descendants of the gigantic Lepldodendra, Tree-ferns, and 

 Calamites of the Devonian and Carboniferous ages of the earth's history. 

 But fortunately for us, size is no measure of merit ; the great Sigillarics 

 could we have seen them growing, wuldly luxuriant, in the reeking 

 forests of the coal-period, would perchance have taught no higher 

 biological lessons than can be gathered from the study of the humble 

 club-mosses of our native woods and heaths. And how much there is 

 of interest in the history, but very partially known, of that mysterious 

 tribe called Fungi by the learned, and Toadstools, Mushrooms, and 

 Moulds by the general. Flowerless they are by name and nature, but 

 often of striking beauty. A search in Epping Forest any fine morning 

 in this present month of October will reveal many a cryptogamic gem ; 

 the brilliant Fly- Agaric, with its' scarlet crown ; the coral-like Peziza 

 aurantia, or the golden yellow Clavaria, found springing up in luxuriant 

 clusters by woodland paths and hedge-rows. Here then is a " hobby,'' 

 attractive and comparatively unridden ; and our Forest is the very place 

 in which to exercise it ; Epping being perhaps one of the best localities 

 for the l^LXger Fungi in England. And at the meeting we chronicle what 

 better teachers could the developing mycologist desire ? Dr. Cooke, the 

 hero of a hundred fungus forays and author of many a recondite treatise 

 and popular histor}^ anent his favourites, w^as on the Forest betimes, in 

 company with a portmanteau of wondrous capabilities, destined ere the 

 day ^was over to be the resting-place of many a rare Agaric. With him 

 was Dr. Wharton, M.A., F.L.S., himself an accomplished mycologist 

 and ornithologist. Later trains brought to Loughton Professor Maxime 

 Cornu, of Paris, of European reputation as a fungologist ; our kind 

 friend Mr. Worthington Smith, F.L.S., to whom our members were 

 indebted for the jocular woodcut which proved so attractive on the 

 programme of the day's proceedings ; Mr. James English, than whom 

 no one is better acquainted with the secret homes and haunts of many 

 a rare Epping fungus; Mr. E. M. Holmes, F.L.S., an authority on 

 mosses, lichens, and sea- weeds; Mr. Howse, the Woolhopean; the High 

 Sheriff and Verderer, Mr. Andrew Johnston, and upwards of fifty 

 members and friends, including several ladies. Neverwas a Naturalists' 



