Crossland : Fungus Foray at Rokehy. 



333 



Notwithstanding- the non-appearance of ' heaps of big- stuff,' 

 there was such a quantity of other kinds, that it was impossible 

 to cope with it all. Much that was likely to keep a few days was 

 brought away, and a box sent to Mr. Massee at Kew. One 

 wishes these thingfs were as obliging as mosses, and could 

 be put away to be brought out again as fresh as ever for 

 examination, but they are not. Two days were spent indoors 

 by one member, and one by another, working- at the material 

 brought in. Table work commenced each morning- at or before 

 seven. 



There being- one or two young- mycologists present, it was 

 thought it would be instructive to them to lay on tables the 

 named specimens, so that they might be referred to ag-ain and 

 again, and thus be better fixed in memory. A convenient 

 granary across the yard, at our disposal, with two or three 

 long- tressle tables set up in it, answered wonderfully well for 

 this purpose. Mr. Cheesman and Mr. Broadhead were specially 

 energetic in this direction. 



The host had two immense specimens of Lycoperdon giganteum 

 on the beams in the g-ranary in the process of drying. He in- 

 formed us he g-athered samples each season for the purpose of 

 smoking- his bees when he takes out the honeycombs. He stated 

 that the light, spongy inside (capillitium and spores), is much 

 preferable to either brown paper or anything else he has tried. 

 It is placed in a little funnel, to which a small pair of bellows 

 are attached, set fusing, and the smoke blown into the hive. 

 The bees are thus stupified sufficiently long to allow of the 

 combs being withdrawn. 



The usual sampling of a few edible species was indulged in ; 

 dishes of Agaricus arvensis, the horse mushroom ; Tricholoma 

 personatum, blewitts ; and Hygrophorus niveus, ivory caps, being 

 prepared. All were daintily cooked, and those who had not 

 before tasted ivory caps especially are looking forward to the 

 time when opportunity will afford them a similar tit-bit. 



Part of each evening was devoted to papers on various 

 mycological subjects. Mr. Wager gave a most interesting 

 address on ' Recent Observations on Nuclear Fusion and 

 Division in the Basidiomycetes,' an abstract of which will appear 

 in a future issue. Mr. Gibbs dealt with the ' Classification of 

 Fungi,' the classified exhibits in the granary admirably suiting 

 his purpose. Mr. J. H. Holland, F.L.S., The Museum, Kew 

 Gardens, sent an extremely interesting and useful contribution 

 (Part HI) on ' Economic Fungi.' The Secretary detailed the 



1904 November I. 



