117 



illustratio:n^s of the edible funguses of 

 herefordshire. 



By Db. Bull. 



(Continued from page 203 of the Volume of Transactions for the year 18(38.^ 



" There's none stands nnder more calumnious tongues." 



— Shaketpeare, Hen. VIII. 



The experience of the present year would afford ample proof — if proof 

 were wanted — that Funguses could not be depended upon as a regular source 

 of food for the people. The rainfall in Herefordshire has been considerably less 

 this summer than it was in 1808. The actual rainfall of the two years at Here- 

 ford, for the months of June, July, and August, is given by E. J. Isbell, Esq., 

 as follows : — 



1868. 1869. 



June 0.455 0.947 



July L231 0.300 



August 5.187 0.843 



Total 6.872 2.090 



It will be remembered that at the Ledburymeeting of the Club in May, 

 Agaricus gambosus, Agaricus arvensis, and Marasmius oreades were gathered 

 and eaten, but no Funguses were met with at any of the succeeding meetings. 



Notwithstanding these unfavourable circumstances the progress of Fungo- 

 logy has been most marked and satisfactory. The address of the Rev. M. J. 

 Berkeley at the Society of Arts, followed up by the proceedings at the Royal 

 Horticultural Society last year, have been very successful in creating a general 

 interest in the study of this neglected branch of natural history. Old books on 

 the subject are being bought up, and new ones are frequently announced. The 

 Naturalists Field Clubs are taking up the study of Funguses with more or 

 less energy, and dinners are held where the merits of those that are edible are 

 practically tested ; nor yet has that additional proof of success been wanting, an 

 increased effort to excite still more the prejudice against them. 



The AVoolhope Club has taken a leading position during the last three 

 years in promoting the study and utilisation of Funguses, and has perhaps had 

 some little influence in creating this interest in them. Be this as it may, the 

 Club would be so little likely to underestimate the amount of progress towards 

 the result they wish to obtain, that it will be better on the present occasion to 

 direct attention to what has been said in opposition to them. 



