255 



of specimens of the interesting Geaster fornicatus was sent from Worcester. The 

 examination of these gave employment throughout the morning, and as the rain 

 had ceased by noon, a small party resolved upon a trip to Dinedor, and about 

 eight, with baskets and umbreUas, started at half-past one for the old camp, and 

 thus commenced the excursions of the week. It is needless to say that the ground 

 was saturated, that the few fungi which were to be seen were almost unrecog- 

 nisable. Here and there, the cap of an Agaric had fallen from its stem, and lay 

 upon the ground like a dirty pat of butter, only to be taken up with a spoon. 

 Only the firmest and least absorbent species could submit to be touched, but of 

 these a sufficiency were collected to redeem the excursion from failure ; and, 

 despite the most unfavourable circumstances, no one returned without something; 

 amongst which were Geaster rufescens, some species of Lactariiis, and a few of the 

 ordinary fungi which find a place on the tables at Hereford from year to year. 

 One of the most interesting species found on this occasion, was an old log covered 

 with a white Corticium as if with a crust. This was Corticium lactescens, which 

 when cut or broken exuded a white milk, in the same manner as some species of 

 Lactarius. As far as we are aware, this is the only milky species of Corticium 

 known. Some kinds of Sterium, when wounded, turn reddish in colour as if 

 bleeding, and at the same time a thin serum flows from the wound ; but in Cor- 

 ticium lactescens, the juice is decidedly milky, like that of the Spurge, and some- 

 what acrid. The whole fungus becomes dark, horny, and cracked all over in 

 drying, and then bears no resemblance to the living plant. 



As one result of the experience of this week, it may be noted here that the 

 number of species seen was very small, and of these the individuals were by no 

 means numerous. Certain of the commoner species were entirely absent, only one 

 small cluster of Agaricus mellcus was seen during the week, and this species is 

 generally so common as to be voted a nuisance. Agaricus fascicularis and 

 Agaricus sublateritius, almost equally common at other times, were amongst the 

 the rarest this season. Very few Hmjrophori could be seen. Lactarius and 

 Bussula were the most plentiful. Scarcely a Cortinarius could be found, but 

 Polppori, and especially the large and ligneous species, were more abundant than 

 usual even in the best of years, Fohjporus fraxineus in one instance extending for 

 some yards, and of Polyporus spumeus, the largest and finest specimens ever seen 

 by the oldest Woolhopian. If we add to this the almost total absence of Coprinus, 

 we realise the principal features which characterised the mycologic flora of 1880, 

 in the neighbourhood of Hereford. 



Returning from this digression to our mycologists, we find them on Tuesday 

 evening assembled at the residence of Dr. Bull, to recount the adventures of the 

 day, and lay plans for the morrow, which the slightly rising barometer encouraged 

 them in this instance to decide in favour of Ludlow and Downton. These evening 

 reunions are habitually maintained through the week, but on the present occasion 

 they were utilized more than heretofore, for the communication of papers 

 and discussion on fungological topics, varied agreealsly by one or two other 

 subjects of general or special interest. Without detaiUng too minutely the opera- 



