7° MASSEE AND CROSSLAND: FUNGUS FORAY 
out prominent—first, the social aces the concourse consists of 
people who, for the time bein ng, have one common object in view, 
and for this reason derive pleasure from the opportunity of forming 
a more intimate acquaintance than can be derived through the 
medium of letters or books ; secondly, the opportunity afforded for 
becoming familiar with fungi in their native habitats, a factor of 
indispensable importance ; for although it has become the fashion of 
late, on the part of some, to readily express their contempt for field 
work, yet the opinion of those who do not realise a plant as such 
until it has been soaked in alcohol for six months, will not be likely 
to disprove the older idea that familiarity with fungi in the living 
condition is necessary for the formation of a true conception of 
affinity ; microscopic sections teach much, but not everything. As 
a rule from two or three hundred species of fungi, correctly named 
and classified, are on view during the foray, and this alone, to the 
beginner, is of great value, and coupled with the numerous items of 
information, always willingly given by more’ experienced workers, 
stimulates and also considerably lightens the labour of the beginner, 
who by such means soon reaches the point of deriving real pleasure 
from the study. 
Finally, the following question has to be met: ‘ What is the use 
of studying fungi?’ We say to the person capable of asking such 
a question, probably none. To other people it may be indicated 
that, in round numbers, the British Flora includes 10,000 species, of 
which 5,000 species, or one-half the entire flora, are fungi, and if we 
include the lichens, which are in reality but specialised fungi, we 
should add about 2,000 more to the number. In the fungi we have 
a 
their development appear sides very different forms, and grow on 
ea host-plants. 
at present constituted, there are what may be termed two 
offical days allotted for the foray, but several mycologists usually 
assemble two days in advance, and on some occasions remain for 
a day or two after the official date. 
Respecting last year’s foray, held at Posektiuang it may be stated 
that, although owing to the exceptionally dry season a prolific crop 
of fungi could not be expected, the gathering of mycologists was the 
- Naturalist, 
