72 



The Naturalist. 



year), not only can the full success of the present one be equalled, but 

 surpassed, and also, that by careful pre-arrangement, the benefit of the 

 locality collections can be secured, and a list made out for each consignment 

 or locality. The show included not only the named series, but two tables 

 showing the chief "edible" and "poisonous" species, dried specimens 

 of rusts, moulds, and mildews, and some beautiful collections of drawings, 

 exhibited by Messrs. Massee, Phillips, and Tufi"en West, F.L.S. The 

 Leeds Philosophical Society sent for exhibition, six cases of models, and 

 books, and microscopes were also shown, the latter by Messrs. Bennett 

 and Ladmore. The show was opened to the public, at 2 o'clock, and at 

 4 p.m., Mr. Plowright gave and interesting and lucid discourse on 

 "fungi," illustrated by diagrams, drawn by Mr. Phillips, for which a 

 cordial vote of thanks was passed, on the motion of Mr. Thomas Hick, 

 seconded by Mr. Bennett. There was a moderate attendance of visitors 

 at the show, which was held in the Albert Hall of the Leeds Mechanics' 

 Institute, granted on almost nominal terms. The proceedings were wound 

 up by a dinner at Powolny's rooms, at which Mr. C. P. Hobkirk, F.L.S., 

 presided, having Mr. Phillips and Pev. W. Fowler on his right hand, and 

 Mr. Plo Wright and the Rev. H. H. Slater on his left. Of the dinner, 

 Mr. Plowright says in the Gardener's Chronicle : — " Now this dinner Avas 

 remarkable, not so much as a further proof of the hospitality of the Union 

 to their visitors — because they had already received demonstration of 

 this, to the most minute detail, in a manner never to be forgotten — as 

 for the wonderfully successful manner the fungi were prepared. They 

 were cooked from recipes used in the German monasteries 300 years ago. 

 Agaricus campestris and Helvella crispa are always palatable, but to make 

 Hydnum repandum really nice, and Fistulina liepatica truly delicious, is 

 a feat, which, speaking from a pretty extensive experience of fungus 

 dinners, in England, Scotland and Wales, I can safely say that I never 

 [before] saw achieved. Should the reader ask, how was it done 1 all I 

 can say is — attend the next fungus dinner at Leeds, and see for yourself." 

 After dinner, followed the usual toasts of the "Queen and Poyal Family," 

 and of " The Visitors," to which Mr. Phillips and Mr. Plowright 

 responded, Mr. Yize having been obliged to leave Leeds before the show. 

 Mr. Phillips proposed " Success to the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union," 

 coupling with it, the names of the Secretaries. This done, the visitors 

 and chairman had to leave, and Mr. Hick presided over the after 

 proceedings, including speeches from Messrs. Abbott, Todd, and 

 Horsfall. The meetings are to be considered as being a great success, 

 especially considering that it was a first attempt. The show was 

 highly appreciated by those members and friends who had the opportunity 

 of visiting it, while the excursions did much in the way of smoothing the 

 path of the beginners in mycological study. It may be added, that a full 

 systematic list of the species shown or collected, together with such 

 locaHties as it was possible to record, is being prepared, and will be printed 

 either in the " Naturalist " or in the " Transactions." — W. D. R. 



