CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES. 43 
a leaflet to the Societies, giving suggestions and instructions as to the 
observations and data necessary for the identification of fungi, and also 
mentioning the names of gentlemen willing to act as referees. If the 
photographing of a specimen and the taking of such observations were 
made a preliminary condition of obtaining the help of the referee, it would 
prevent improper advantage being taken of such assistance. A photo- 
graphic reproduction (coloured) answered the purpose of either a model 
or a painting of a fungus, with even less labour and greater accuracy 
in detail. 
Mr. J. E. Liddiard (Bournemouth and District Society of Natural 
Science) remarked that the Society which he represented had done some- 
thing to promote the study of Fungi, and he handed in a publication 
showing what his Society, in conjunction with the New Forest Society, 
had done in their district. 
Mr. J. R. B. Masefield (North Staffordshire Field Club) called 
attention to the importance of the study of fungi to the farmer and 
gardener. Expert help, however, was required by Field Clubs. Photo- 
graphs would be useful in assisting in the identification of species. It was 
important that there should be an interchange of views between the 
various Societies and mutual help given by arranging joint meetings. 
Mr. P. Ewing (Glasgow Natural History Society) said that in his 
opinion the practice which obtained in the Society which he represented 
was a very satisfactory one—that of forming sectional committees. 
Only a few members in most Societies take a working interest in the 
different branches of science, and consequently those who take the most 
active part are made conveners of the various sections, to whom ail 
specimens can be referred for identification. Such members can, as 
a rule, name correctly 98 per cent. of the specimens submitted, and for 
the sake of local records are quite willing to do so. More critical species, 
or those in which identification was doubtful, are referred to some 
authority. This authority, in the case of fungi, should be one recom- 
mended by the British Mycological Society. 
Mr. G. P. Hughes (Northumberland, Durham, and Newcastle-upon- 
Tyne Natural History Society) pointed out the desirability of including 
the study of Fungi in the list of scientific subjects to be introduced 
for the occasional instruction of children, especially in country schools, 
the importance of elementary scientific knowledge being very properly 
advocated by most of the sections of the British Association. 
Mr. A. W. Oke (Brighton and Hove Natural History Society) referred 
to the educational value of the exhibition of living specimens of Fungi by 
Natural History Societies and Museums. 
The Rev. T. R. R. Stebbing (Tunbridge Wells Natural History 
Society) observed that the annual exhibition of wild flowers, which 
excited much admiration at Tunbridge Wells, and which had been 
imitated in some other localities, was, in fact, only indirectly due to the 
Natural History Society. It had been initiated and carried on year by 
year by the personal efforts of Mr. Fred Roberts, an honoured assistant 
of that Society. This rather pointed to the desirability of securing the 
services of some enthusiastic member when any special work was to be 
done, in preference to asking vaguely for the efforts of a whole Society. 
Most likely Mr. Roberts, if requested to do so, would add the Fungi of 
the district to his much appreciated botanical exhibition. 
