Xl PROCEEDINGS, 



" Certain groups of fungi, however, have evolved the power of 

 utilizing their by-products of metabolism. In the Phalloideae, 

 represented in England by the common " stinkhorn " — Phallus 

 impudicus — and two other rarer species, we usually find associated 

 a brilliant colouration and a most abominable foetid smell. The 

 colour and smell are only evident at the period when the very 

 minute spores are mature and ready for dispersion. The spores 

 at maturity are immersed in a sticky fluid which produces the 

 strong smell, and also contains a very sweet substance allied to 

 saccharine. Bluebottle-flies and other insects greedily devour this 

 foetid slime, and also the very minute spores which it contains; 

 and thus, by means of insect agency, the spores of these fungi 

 are disseminated. The bright colour and strong smell are the 

 agents or advertisements by which the fungus makes known its 

 whereabouts to its insect friends. 



"It is interesting to note that, while scent and colour are 

 utilized by fungi for spore-dissemination, these same products 

 are used by many flowering plants for securing cross-fertilization, 

 insects in both instances being the unconscious agents in effecting 

 the desired object. It is well known that such agreeable and 

 disagreeable odours and flavours are not uncommon amongst 

 flowering plants, but it is not so well known that the same is 

 the case with the fungi." 



Agaricus excelsiis was found by Mrs. Ash down, and A. violaceo- 

 ater by Mr. Hopkinson. That these were not common forms was 

 recognized at the time of their discovery, but no such notice was 

 taken of the finding of Agaricus elvensis, so that it is impossible to 

 say who was its discoverer. Had Mr. Massee been present the 

 number of distinct forms recognized would no doubt have been 

 largely increased. 



Oedinaet Meeting, 8th December, 1896, at Watford. 



Arthur Stradling, Esq., M.R.C.S., F.Z.S., President, in the 

 Chair. 



The Right Honourable the Earl of Verulam was elected a Member 

 of the Society. 



Mr. r. Arthur Campion, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E, Netria, St. Albans, 

 and Mr. J. Denison Jordan, Priory View, St, Albans, were proposed 

 for membership. 



The following papers were read : — 



1. "On an Ancient British Coin found near Watford," By 

 Sir John Evans, K.C.B., D.C.L., LL.D., Sc. D., Treas.R.S., 

 V.P.S.A,, etc. {Transactions, Vol. IX, p. 133.) 



Mr. A. E. GiBBS showed a coin which had been picked up at 

 St. Albans, and which appeared to be a fai'thing of the time of 



