108 



The Naturalist. 



some fine examples of Peronosporites antiquaries, Cystopus carhonarins, 

 and various other fungoid spores, all of which had been found by the 

 lecturer in the TTalifax coal strata. He also showed some splendid 

 sections of fossil pines from the tertiary strata, containing mycelia and 

 spores of a fossil fungus in great abundance and in a beautiful state of 

 preservation. These were compared with specimens of mycelia and fungi 

 in sections of recent pines (Scotch fir), and the fossil tertiary fungus was 

 found to be almost, if not altogether, identical with the recent pine 

 fungus, which also closely resembles both in form and habit the vastly 

 older carboniferous fungus. Some people afi"ect to despise the study of 

 such minute organisms as these, but the innDortant discoveries made 

 during the last few years have shown that the microscope is no longer a 

 toy, but a necessary adjunct in modern scientific research. The most 

 deadly foes with which man has to contend are not the largest beasts of 

 the animal kingdom, nor even war and famine, but minute creatures too 

 small to be seen by the naked eye, and which exist in such vast numbers 

 and increase with such rapidity as to defy the power of man to contend 

 with them. Many of the diseases affecting man, his cattle, corn, and 

 vegetables of all kinds, are due to these minute pests. To know your 

 enemy is half way to victory, hence the great value of the microscope ; 

 and it is no great stretch of imagination to suppose that even the study of 

 fossil fungi may ultimately have important bearings upon the question of 

 the health and happiness of mankind. 



York and Disteict Field Naturalists' Society. — Meeting Nov. 14, 

 1883, at the house of Mr. Prest, Holgate-road, Mr. G. Vv^ebster in the 

 chair. — After the minutes of last meeting had been read, the hon. sec. 

 (Mr. Prest) exhibited specimens of Macrogaster arundinis, Demas corylij 

 Dasydia ohf ascata, Fidonia conspicuata, Lohophora polycommata, BanJcia 

 argentida, (E. grandis ; Mr. G. C. Dennis, a fine series of Nonagria 

 elymi. The following plants were exhibited : — The chairman, two 

 beautiful specimens of Lysimachia thyrsijiora. Mr. H. J. Wilkinson, 

 Aquilegia vulgaris (Heslington), Spirce-a filiptndida (Sandburn), Vicia lathy- 

 roides (Acomb), Galium erectum (Hovingham), Astragalus hypoglottis, 

 A. glycypliyllos, Asperxda cynanchica, Chlora perfoliata, Calamintha 

 acinos, Erigeron acris, Hypericum montanum, Tlialictrum majus, Atropa 

 Belladonna, from Aberford and neighbourhood. 



Meeting, Dec. 12th, 1883, Mr. G. C. Dennis in the chair.— Mr. Prest 

 (hon. sec. j exhibited the following rare insects : — Eupithecia irriguata, 

 E. togata, Bryopliila impar from Mr. Warren, Cambridge, two speci- 

 mens of A crony eta alni bred by Mr. J. G. Ross of Bathampton, and 

 Agrotis Ashworthii, bred by Mr. C. S. Gregson, of Liverpool. Mr. G. 

 Webster exhibited the following : — Lathrcea squamaria, Orobanche 

 arenaria, 0. cceridea, 0. rubra, 0. caryophyllacea, O.elatis, 0. picridis, 

 0. hedercB, 0. minor ; also a fine specimen of Naias marinum from 

 Norfolk. — Wm. Prest, Hon. Sec. 



