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demonstrated the origin of the warty growths on the cap from the 
outer membrane of the volva, as well as the general relation of the 
veil to the gills, stem, and pileus. Various specimens of the more 
perishable fungi, which had been immersed in glycerine, were 
shown, in order to exhibit that, as far as the preservation of the 
structure of the plants was concerned, this liquid could be relied 
on, though the density and colour of tissue were too much 
influenced by it. A group of the ‘tufted yellow hypholoma,” 
taken that afternoon from a rail-post on Lady Wootton’s Green, 
well showing the general character of the fungus, though 
somewhat starved in growth, was exhibited with the others. 
A specimen of the ‘ giant puff-ball,”” measuring 12 inches in one 
diameter, and 11 inches in the other, was mentioned as having been 
sent for the inspection of the society, by R. E. Thompson, Esq., 
of Kenfield Hall; but unfortunately since it had been received it 
had decomposed, and could not be presented. In relation to this, 
and a specimen of the early stage of the ‘‘stink-horn” fungus, 
taken in Bigberry Wood, Mr. Reid, by the aid of coloured 
diagrams, in combination with specimens, entered into a general 
description of the order ‘“‘ gastromycetes;”’ particularly pointing 
out how, by various formation of the same parts, the distribution 
of the spores of the plant was advantageously attained. 
III.—Fungus—sy Mr. Rep. 
SEPTEMBER 6, 1882. 
Mr. J. Reid, F.R.C.S., exhibited a specimen of fungus taken 
from the wall in the vestry of St. George’s Church. It had sprung 
from the surface of a piece of wood behind the hard dense plaster 
of the wall, a large circular portion of which had been pushed out, 
and had fallen to the floor under the growing force of the structure. 
The wall had become damp from water having passed through the 
roof, and, either the fungus spores had filtrated with the water on 
to the wood and then germinated in this source of its nourishment, 
or the dormant spores existing in the timber at the time when it 
was placed in the wall, 9 or 10 years before, were excited to action 
by the presence of moisture at last reaching the wood. The 
mycelium, or vegetative portion, had developed into a flat layer 
between the wood and plaster; and, at length, at the edge of this 
layer in one direction several conical nodules formed which were 
the buds of the reproductive part of the plant, the hymenophore, 
or specific fungus. Three of these had developed into elegant 
campanulate forms, one to two inches wide, on slender stalks 
curving upward, the under surfaces having a delicate pale buff 
colour, whilst the upper depressed surface had the glossy smooth 
appearance of white kid leather striated with pale buff wrinkles, 
here and there spattered with pale buff scales or dust. The thin, 
serrated and closely packed gills extended upwards from the stem 
to the disc, when they slightly divided and turned oyer the 
