114 



After this there was an interesting controversy between Dr. Cooke and Mr. 

 Phillips on Peziza crucifera, established as a new species by the latter. This 

 Peziza is very near to, if not identical with, P. virginea, but has cruciform crystals 

 of oxalic acid on the surface of the hymenium. Dr. Cooke thought that the 

 presence of an inorganic body in a plant, unless it served some special purpose, 

 was not a sufficient reason to establish that plant as a new species. Sun and rain 

 would soon destroy these crystals and reduce the Peziza to the ordinary state of 

 P. virginea. Mr. Plowright supported the views of Mr. Phillips. 



Mr. Vize exhibited JScidium ornamentale, a fine exotic species, many times 

 larger than any we are acquainted with in this country. 



On Friday, the usual excursion was made to the charming Downton Woods, 

 near Ludlow, always prolific in rare Agarics, and rendered doubly (someone said 

 forty fold) agreeable by the hospitality of the Messrs. Fortey. A large number of 

 interesting fungi were gathered, and some were new species, yet to be identified. 

 The great feature of the day was the presence of an unusual number of Strobilomyces 

 strobilaceus. It usually occurs, if found at all, very sparingly ; but on this occa- 

 sion Mr. A. S. Bicknell discovered nearly fifty individuals growing together, but 

 he prudently did not make known the locality to the rest of the party. Besides 

 this may be mentioned Tricholoma inamcenus and cuneifolius, Clitocyhe odorus, Ento- 

 loma clypeatus, Pholiota heteroclitus, Leptoma chalybceus, Cortinarius torvus, elatior, 

 cinnabarinus, and bolaris, Bygrophorus lacmus, and erubescens, Clavaria hotrytis, 

 and amethystina, Russula lepida, lutea, and cyanoxantha, Peziza onotica, and Hypo- 

 myccs rosellus. Mr. Fortey found the very rare Sphceria Albertina. In the after- 

 noon the party returned through Oakley Park, the seat of the Clive family, now 

 represented by Lord Windsor. The old oaks were much admired. They are 

 supposed to be over two thousand years old, as they are mentioned as old trees in 

 Domesday Book. Pholiota terrigenus was found in the grounds, and fine specimens 

 of Fistulina hepatica on the oaks. The party then returned to Hereford, much 

 pleased with the result of their labours. Several of the party proposed attending 

 the Edinburgh meeting in the following week. 



"O dulces comitum valete costus ! 

 Longe quos simul adomo profectos, 

 Diversos variae vise reportant." 



