Journal of Proceediuffs. Ixi 



To Mr. Malcolm McLean, (lardener to J. Wliatman, Esq., Vinters 

 Park, Maidstone, belongs the honour of sending the champion fungus of 

 the year for exhibition at our Annual Fungus Meeting. His name and 

 address should be preserved in the archives of fungology for ever. A 

 letter preceded the fungus stating that it was very big, that it had grown 

 at the base of a Scotch Fir, and had only once before been seen in 

 Vinters Park. The request to send the fungus up was at once complied 

 with, and it came in an enormous deal box (now a spacious and luxurious 

 rabbit-hutch) painfully carried by two men. On opening the box a 

 delectable fragrance poured out, and on removing the shavings a stupen- 

 dous specimen of the rare and edible Sparassis crispa was seen — such a 

 specimen as had probably never before gladdened the eyes of any fun- 

 gologist. A common size for S2)arassis is that of an orange, or possibly 

 a small round melon, but here was an example of massive and cyclopean 

 proportions — three feet six inches round, ten inches high, and with a 

 solid rooting base six inches deep. As far as the writer knows, such 

 another specimen has never been seen or even dreamed of "in tale or 

 history." It was no easy matter to get this fungus to Loughton, but 

 after all the rooting portion had been cut away it was divided into two 

 pieces, and dropped into a couple of large open fish-baskets. These 

 baskets the writer took by hand to Liverpool Street, very much in the 

 style of an itinerant street vendor of sponges, with a very large stock-in- 

 trade. The first person met at the station was Dr. Spurrell, who, with 

 quick geologic eye, took the cream-coloured, sponge-like masses for a 

 series of magnificent examples of teeth of Elephas primi genius, which 

 indeed they very much resembled; but the ambrosial fragrance, so 

 different from that pertaining to elephant's teeth, soon advised him of the 

 true nature of the treasure. Two fungologists carried the fish-baskets to 

 the " Crown " Hotel, and lovingly placed the Sparassis in the room set 

 apart for the exhibition of the day. 



This second " Fungus Foray " of our Club, in welcome contrast to the 

 first, was held under very favourable meteorological conditions : the day 

 was such as one would have chosen — warm, bright, and delightful. Seen in 

 the brilliant sunshine, the woods of Epping Forest presented some 

 charming features of colour and form, and the special objects of our 

 search were abundant, although a few species were perhaps a little passe, 

 the fungus season, at least in the Forest, having opened somewhat earlier 

 than usual. The band of experts invited by the Secretary to act as 

 leaders and advisers was remarkably comprehensive. Dr. M. C. Cooke 

 was one of the first fungographers to arrive at Loughton, accompanied by 

 Dr. H. T. Wharton ; soon after Dr. Braithwaite was on the spot, with Mr. 

 W. W. Reeves, Dr. Spurrell, Mr. Worthington Smith, ]\Ir. A. Heath, Mr. 

 J. A. Johnson, and many other professional or amateur botanists. 

 Seventy members and friends had sent in their names as deshing to be 

 present, but more than a hundred persons actually attended. Mr. 

 English's local knowledge was very useful, and Mr. E. M. Hohnes being 



