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tions of every evening, we may record that the Rev. J. E. Vize read a paper on 

 Spirulina, correcting an error into which he had fallen last year. This was supple- 

 mented by some remarks on Spirogyra nitida, another freshwater Alga. Mr. C. 

 B. Plowright described some observations which he had made on the dispersion of 

 the sporidia in Morchella. Mous. Cornu gave a most interesting general account 

 of the Phylloxera of the Vine— its habits, destructive character, and the means 

 adopted to check its ravages. Dr. Cooke exhibited and commented on some curious 

 abnormal forms of ligneous fungi. One of these was a tropical Lenzites which had 

 grown in the usual manner, and developed its hymenium on the under surface. 

 When the tree on which it grew was thrown down, the surfaces were reversed, 

 and the upper surface became the under, upon which a new hymenium was de- 

 veloped, so that the entire external surface was covered with the organs of repro- 

 duction. It was remarkable, further, that although the first or normal hymenium 

 had the character of a Lenzites, the abnormal hymenium resembled that of a 

 Daedalea. 



Another specimen exhibited was that of Polyporus lucidus, a common 

 fungus all the world over. This specimen had also become inverted, but instead 

 of forming a new hymenium on the under surface, the true hymenium was obli- 

 terated, except a small space which might be covered with the thumb, by the 

 growth of an external cuticle similar to that covering the upper surface. Another 

 specimen of an exotic Polyporus was notable for the growth of young Polypm-i in 

 a parasitic manner on both surfaces of the parent. 



Wednesday morning was by no means promising, but soon after nine 

 o'clock the majority of the mycologists were on their way to the railway station, 

 and thence by train to Ludlow, the ride from Ludlow being undertaken in open 

 carriages. Until the luncheon hour (half -past one) there was no rain, and the 

 woods were explored, despite the soft and juicy soil, with an ardour worthy of 

 the Woolhopians. With unabated zeal the luncheon baskets were emptied of 

 their contents. All those who have made this excursion on previous occasions, 

 know better than we can inform them what excellent cheer is so freely and 

 liberally provided, and who are the entertainers, nor need we say why a wag 

 should have called the luncheon "going into quarantine." These are mysteries 

 known only to the initiated. No sooner had the party left the " salle k manger " 

 than the rain commenced its pranks again, at first lightly, afterwards in a deluge 

 almost worthy of the ever-to-be-remembered "Whitfield day," when, some years 

 ago, a Woolhope excursion to Whitfield was deluged by such a downpour as is 

 rarely experienced. The appearance of the entire party as they drove into Lud- 

 low after an eight miles ride through incessant rain, might have afforded some 

 amusement to the inhabitants, had any been visible, but the streets were deserted, 

 and the good people were too polite to gaze at us from the windows. New, rare, 

 and remarkable fungi were absent from the baskets, which, nevertheless, were by 

 no means empty, for there was one Strobilomyccs, some fine specimens of Agaricus 

 radicosus, besides several species of Lactarius and Russida. It became manifest 

 that the year was altogether an exceptional one, and as one of the best localities 



