Woolhope Paturalists Field Clnb. 
THE ANNUAL FUNGUS FORAYS. 
It might have taxed a clearer and stronger brain than that of ‘‘ Our Own 
Commissioner” to keep count of and carry in his head the records of the Wool- 
hopian Fungus hunts, which came off in the first week in October, through the 
exciting week which immediately followed, and during which all Hereford, except 
himself, must have held high festival on account of the opening of the Free 
Library. But the great firm of ‘ Method and Pluck ” can do a great deal, 
especially when the junior partner pulls the strings, and therefore we are not 
surprised that after a short breathing space he has found time to put together 
notes, which, had they been sent in last week would almost certainly have been 
“crowded out,” but which, coming now in the hush after a great excitement, will 
be welcome not only to the foraging parties, but also to a goodly number of their 
stay-at-home and weather-bound friends. 
The opening muster of the mycologists proper, took place on Tuesday, the 
29th of September, and a select band—consisting of Dr. Bull, Mr. Broome, Rev. 
W. Houghton, Mr. Lees, Mr. Morris, Mr. Plowright, Mr. Renny, and Mr. 
Phillips-——arrived at Ludlow by the early trains en voute for the beautiful grounds 
of Downton Castle. The party was hospitably entertained at the Abbey Villa, 
Ludlow, by the Messrs. Fortey, whose welcome to the Club some years back 
when it explored Deerfold is still held in pleasant remembrance, and these gen- 
tlemen presently reinforced the excursionists with the addition of themselves to 
its number. Arrived at Downton the foray began under the leadership of Dr. 
Jones. The fame of the ‘‘gorge of the Teme” for its lovely scenery is world- 
wide. The river rushes through a stony channel, now broad and rippling, and 
again contracted, deep, and silent, whilst its banks are fringed everywhere by 
the richest variety of woods. For a full mile’s space a charmingly meandering 
walk transports the lover of nature at one time to the river level in deep gloom 
from rock and foliage, and another, in prospect, to some lofty craig, where— 
** Midst scatter’d trees the opening glade 
Admits the well-mixed tints of light and shade.” 
It is indeed a lovely valley, though not for its loveliness was it visited on this 
occasion. Other attractions were potent enough to draw from north and south, 
east and west, the eager excursionists of the day. Listen, scoffers of science! 
Here is the only known British home of the brilliant coloured Cortinarius, (Der- 
mocybe,) cinnabarinus, and of the C, Miltinus, and here, too, in favourable years 
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