66 Report of Me-etinf/P for 1887. By J. Hardy. 



Lactarins torminosus. Boletus flavns. 



,, piperatns. ,, variegatus ? 



,, blennius. ,, chrysenteron. 



,, zonarius ? ,, cyanescens. 



,, vellereus. ,, calopns. 



,, deliciosns. ,, ednlis. 



Ruasula nigricans. „ lnridus. 



„ lutea. Helvella crispa. 



,, furcata. Sparasus crispa. 



,, rosacea. Spathularia flavida. 



,, heterophylla. Clavaria rngosa. 



,, fcetens. ,, abietina. 



Cantharellus cibarius. Peziza acetabulum. 



,, auriantiacus, ., macropus. 



Marasmius oreades. ,, scutellata. 



,, peronatns. Torrnbia entomorrhiza. 



etc. etc. 

 Podisoma Juniperi was quite common on almost all the junipers about 

 Stow, and as a natural consequence the Roestelia lacerata — another 

 condition of the same fungus — infested the hawthorn trees. The Lactarius 

 deliciosus was very abundant in certain seasons, but varied much in differ- 

 ent years. Gantherellus cibarius haunted several definite localities in Tor- 

 sonce wood, and, curiously enough, 1 found that when it was scarce, Cantha- 

 rellns auriantiacus (non-edible) was abundant. Boletus edulis was not rare 

 in Torsonce plantations, and many a nice dish have ] made of it, sliced 

 and fried. Hydnum imbricatum, Lycoperdon giganteum, and Helvella crispa 

 were among the other esculent fungi I gathered and enjoyed — the first a 

 somewhat tough morsel, but as much 'as yon liked of it for the gathering 

 and drying. Besides the common mushroom (Ag. arvensis), the kindred 

 A. campestris and A. sylvaticus, are also to he got in Stow and neighbour- 

 hood. So much for some edible fungi— but the whole fungal tribe, (with 

 the exception of the iEcidiaeei and allied orders) seem to affect the district, 

 and their profusion and variety offer no small compensation for the absence 

 of anything notable in the ordinary Flora. 



Cryptoyramma crispa (Parsley fern), has a well-known locality on Graig- 

 end hill, among the loose stones there. Galeopsis versicolor 1 am familiar 

 with, but the general poverty of the district is plainly proved by A. rata- 

 muraria being hailed as a good find. 



As to the antiquities : on the height above Plenploth farm — near Fountain- 

 hall— there is a well preserved British fort, and cists with ashes and 

 calcined bones, if f remember rightly, have been turned up now and then. 

 The Antiquaries' Society of Edinburgh visited the place some years ago. 

 Mr flarvie, late farmer in Plenploth, had collected quite a number of celts, 

 etc., (neolithic) on the hill. He told me also that on the other side of the 

 valley he had seen marks of vitrification, but as I was just then leaving for 

 Edinburgh J was unable to verify his statement. There are still to be seen 

 on the hillside beyond Weathcrsfone, two rings or Pictish remains — called 

 by the people Roman camps. 



