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THE FUNGUS FOEATS, 1887. 



On Tuesday, October 4th, a party composed of the following members took 

 the train at Hereford for Mitcheldean Road Station : — Rev. E. J. Holloway, 

 Dr. J. H. Wood, Messrs. P. Bainbridge, W. H. Jones, T. C. Paris, H. C. 

 Moore, Hon. Sec, and J. B. Pillev, Assistant Secretary, with the following 

 visitors— Rev. E. G. Doughty, Messrs. F. Doughty, and W. Pilley. The 

 Mycolog^cal visitors accompanying were : — Rev. Edward Cuningham, Rev. 

 Canon Du Port, Rev. J. E. Vize, Dr. Carlyle, and Messrs. Acton, Phillips, and 

 Plowright. At Ross they were joined by Mr. G. H. Hadfield and Mr. H. 

 Southall, who brought a friend, Mr. E. S. Cobbold. 



Carriages from the Speech House met the party at Mitcheldean Road, and 

 conveyed them to the place of rendezvous at the High Beeches. Although the 

 day was fine, the atmosphere was hazy, .so that the pretty views of the Severn 

 soon after passing through Mitcheldean, and the views of the Welsh Hills from 

 the more elevated g^round, were obscured. But the main valuable resources of 

 the Forest, such as its limestone quarries, iron and coal, were observed en route, 

 and after leaving Cinderford to the left and ascending the Long-hill, some traces 

 of the ancient Roman road were distinctly marked. Shortly after passing the 

 sixth milestone from Mitcheldean Road Railway Station, which gave the 

 information that the distance from London was 121 mUes, on the left-hand side of 

 the high road one of the oldest oak trees m the Forest, called " Jack of the Yat," 

 was reached, which proved, upon measurement, to have a girth of 17ft. 9in., at a 

 height of 5ft. from the ground. The " Crad Oak," on the same left-hand side, 

 about one hundred yards further on, has such irregularities on its bole that it is 

 difficult to measure its girth, but it is visibly smaller than the " Jack of the Yat." 

 Proceeding onwards to the High Beeches, comixjsed of five lofty beech trees, 

 which, far surmounting in height all other trees in the vicinity, form a conspicuous 

 landmark (the tallest and most handsome tree had a girth of 16ft. 6in., at 5ft. 

 from the ground). Dr. Cooke, Dr. Wharton, with Messrs. Bucknall and Howse, 

 who had come direct from London and Bristol to the Speech House Hotel, 

 were espied : and, cordial greetings being interchanged, the conjoint party 

 commenced their foray through Wimberry Slade eastwards towards the Speech 

 House, a distance of two and a half miles. The ground was apparently favour- 

 able, but, owing to the long-continued drought, the finds were few and vmim- 

 portant, and the selection of this locality for the foray would have proved 

 disheartening had it not been for the encouraging remark of a veteran forager, 

 " there are as many funguses here as I have seen anywhere else this year." But 

 if there were no funguses the ground was dry, the air was temperate, and the sun 

 shone warmly ; placidity, contentment, and happiness reigned. It was remarked 



