87 
On Monday, October 3rd, the company began to collect as usual. The 
‘“‘eniding spirit ” stood smiling on the platform of the railway station to welcome 
the ‘“‘coming men.” But they came slowly. and not very cheerfully, for they had 
forebodings of what was in store for them. Yet, ultimately, they did come, and 
entered with spirit upon the occupation of the week. Amongst the number were 
Messrs. Bicknell, Bucknall, Cooke, Howse, Mott, Phillips, Plowright, and 
Wharton, and the Revs. Du Port, Eyre, and Vize. A reception at Dr. Bull’s, 
and a discussion of the plans and arrangements for the week, closed the day. 
Tuesday, October 4th, an excursion to Moccas Park, the residence of Sir 
George Cornewall, inaugurated the practical work, The day was fine, but cold, 
and spirits ran high. The large and beautiful domain was scoured in all directions, 
but the fungi were few and far between. Baskets remained empty, or with a few 
well-known specimens sprinkled over the bottom. <A splendid ring of Agaricus 
arvensis was appropriated with avidity, and served to fill baskets which otherwise 
would have remained unfurnished. Even Polyporus dryadeus was welcome, for it 
helped to fill up. There was no alternative but to take what could be got, and the 
homeward ride was enlivened by an animated discussion over a few common 
species, the determination of which was challenged, rather for the sake of stimu- 
lating the interest of the party than as the result of actual scepticism. This 
process being repeated in after days led to the application of certain well-known 
lines, thus moditied— 
“Tis the voice of the canon, I heard him complain, 
‘That can’t be the species, compare it again.’ ” 
Of a certainty the unanimous thanks of the company were due to those enterpising 
individuals who carried several of Fries’ octavo volumes about with them in order 
to improve the occasion by voluntary ‘readings ” in Latin. The true meaning of 
such words as ‘‘luridus,” “ gilvus,” and “ candicans,” had never been submitted 
to such keen criticism before, and the conclusions appeared to be completely satis- 
factory, for they were carried nem. con. 
In the evening a second reception was held at Dr. Bull’s, when Mr. C. B. 
Plowright read his paper on “The Relationship of Aicidium berberidis to Puccinia. 
graminis,” in which he describes the numerous experiments conducted by him 
during the past year, the results of which did not by any means confirm the theory 
that the cidium is the cause of the wheat mildew. In thirteen experiments 
seventy-eight wheat plants were infected by spores of Acidium berberidis, and 
ninety-eight wheat plants kept as check plants against them. Of the infected 
plants 76 per cent. developed Uredo on an average in 24'4 days, while in the same 
period 70 per cent. of the uninfected plants became spontaneously attacked by the 
Uredo. Such results could not be considered as confirming the relationship of 
eidium berberidis to Puccinia graminis. Some discussion followed the reading 
of this paper, during which Dr. Cooke repudiated the assertion which had been 
made, that he was an advocate of the theory which, in fact, he had always asserted 
was “not proven.” Mr. Bicknell also related his experience of having seen 
eidium in Switzerland such a common hedge plant that if the theory were true, 
