HOLMESDALF, NATURAL HISTORY CLUB. 9 



EXCUESIONS. 



Several excursions were inteuded to be made, but, owing to various 

 causes, two only were carried into effect, and the latter of these under 

 unfavourable circumstances for collecting. The first, upon the 23rd 

 May, 1874, was made to the neighbourhood of Headley Lane and 

 Box Hill — a district previously gone over by the members. A 

 parasitic fungus, probably a Peronospora, was found on Tanacetum 

 vuJgare, but only on a few out of the numerous plants growing by 

 the River Mole at Burford Bridge. The fungus had the appearance 

 of white down : it was scattered in patches at the edge and on both 

 sides of the leaf; the leaves and plants affected by it were perfectly 

 green, and apparently in a state of healthy and vigorous growth, in 

 this respect contrasting very forcibly with the potato plant when it is 

 affected by an allied species of fungus. It was remarked with satis- 

 faction that Ceterach officinarum, once abundant on the south wall 

 of Headley Lane still existed there, although in greatly decreased 

 numbers ; and that Arahis hirsuta, an unattractive though by no 

 means a common plant, maintained its footing on the north wall. 



The second excursion, to the neighbourhood of Three Bridges, on 

 the 4th July, was much interrupted by rain. Many of the forest 

 botanical specimens were, however, secured ; amongst them a few 

 plants of Ophrys muscifera, and a lovely variegated specimen of 

 Hypericum pulchrum was found by the Secretary. 



ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMIVHTTEE. 



The following gentlemen were appointed Officers of the Club for 

 the ensuing year : — 



President. — Sir Sidney Smith Saunders, C.M.G. 



Vice-Presidents. — E. Chambers, Esq. ; Dr. C. Holraan. 



Treasurer. — R. C. Baxter, Esq. 



Hon. Secretary. — Mr. Thomas Cooper. 



Curator. — John Linnell, jun., Esq. 



Other Members of Committee. — Dr. Bossey ; Messrs. J. B. Cros- 

 field, C. Green, W. H. Heaton, John Lees, W. H. Tyndall, Sydney 

 Webb. 



