102 Clironicles of Science. [Jan., 



describes some important observations, wbich lead him to believe 

 tbat Diatomaceae reproduce by means of germs. He describes wbat 

 he considers as zoospores having ciHa and containing diatoms. The 

 young germs do not present the broA\n endo-chromo, but are of a 

 bluish-green colour. Count Castracane's observations are given in 

 detail and are of great importance, since we may hope that they will 

 lead to further observations in this country and elsewhere. It is 

 strange that whilst there are hundreds of Diatomaniacs, the 

 questions of the physiology and anatomy of these organisms re- 

 main so long doubtful. IMax Schultze has settled the locomotive 

 question, but there remain others unanswered. "Wo believe that 

 most Diatom-men would scorn to look at a frustule that had not 

 been boiled in nitric acid, and hence the incompatibility between the 

 number of students {sic!) and the great ignorance prevaihng as to 

 Diatomaceae. 



Fungohgical Gastronomy. — The "Woolhope Naturalists' Field 

 Club recently devoted a day to investigating the Fungi of their 

 district. The party met at Hereford, and under the direction of 

 Mr. Edwin Lees, F.L.S., and of Mr. W. G. Smith, they proceeded to 

 collect a vast variety of both poisonous and edible mushrooms, from 

 Holme Lacy Park and the neighbouring hills. It was to the edible 

 forms, however, that the members tui'ned their attention principally, 

 as they were to be cooked and eaten at dinner after the excursion. 

 With the fish and the soup came the first novelty in the form of 

 " Oreades ketchup." It was good with cither, and was pronounced 

 by all present a brilliant success. A dish of beefsteak, animal and 

 vegetable, was served, deliciously mingled to the advantage of both, 

 and at the same time a dish of the Fistulina hejxitica, the " Liver 

 fungus," or "vegetable beefsteak," by itself was handed round. 

 The slices were cut from a large specimen, gathered m the morning. 

 The next Agaric to appear was Eydnum repandum, the " spiked 

 mushroom," from Haywood forest. It was stewed and broiled, and 

 those members of the Club who had resolved themselves into a com- 

 mittee of critical taste, and to whom therefore all dishes were im- 

 mediately brought fresh and hot, quickly separated the Agarics from 

 their gravy, and found them excellent, and particularly the broiled 

 ones, not at all unhke oysters, to which they have been compared. 

 Then followed the Parasol Agaric {Agaricus ])roeerus), and after 

 this, the Fairy-ring Champignon (Marasmius oreades), broiled on 

 toast, after the admirable receipt of Soyer. A dish of Ayaricvs 

 prunulus, or Orcella, was also served, simply stewed, and was 

 declared to be " delicious." After dinner our convivial fungologists 

 listened to four instructive communications on various matters re- 

 lating to Fimgi : their spores— those that are British, why they 

 ought not to be eaten, and those belonging to Fairy-rings. 



Flora of Middlesex. — The work having this title, by Dr. Henry 



