1887-1888.] 21 



On 17th September, to 



TOLLYMORE PARK FOR A FUNGUS FORAY. 



The society concluded its summer session by a most success- 

 ful excursion to Tollymore Park. About forty members left 

 by the County Down Railway, at 10-35 a.m., and on arrival at 

 the other terminus at Newcastle, they took cars to the gate of the 

 picturesque grounds of Bryansford, entrance to which had been 

 kindly granted to the club. The chief feature in the day's 

 programme was the examination of the ground for Fungi. 

 Before entering the gate the party was met by a fellow-member, 

 Rev. H. W. Lett, M.A., T.C.D., author of a valuable list 

 of the Fungi of the North of Ireland, recently published in the 

 club's proceedings. A meeting was called, and the day's 

 programme announced. A prize was offered for the best 

 collection of Fungi made during the day, collections to be 

 submitted before leaving the grounds. It was evident, how- 

 ever, that Fungi would not claim the attention of the entire 

 party, the presence of no less than eight cameras indicated that 

 the beauties of the woods and stream would be pretty well 

 done ; all, no matter what the special pursuit, were in high 

 anticipation, the weather being most favourable for out- 

 door work. On reaching the rocky stream course, the members 

 scattered in various directions in search of the rare or beautiful. 

 Many ferns were observed showing departures from the normal 

 forms ; this was especially noticeable in the BIechnum } bifur- 

 cating, and other varieties being not uncommon ; one very fine 

 specimen showing serration on most of its fronds, was observed. 

 The season was too advanced for flowering plants, but the 

 search for F^ungi was vigorously pursued, under the guidance 

 of Mr. Lett, into the dark and secluded parts of the wood, 

 while the brighter, picturesque pieces were sure to be ranged 

 by one or more cameras from various vantage points. Slowly 

 converging as the day advanced, the party met as arranged at 

 the Barbacan gate, where the collections were spread on the 

 grass, and the scrutiny of the species made. After careful 



