66 
CRYPTOGAMIC SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND. 
Amongst other specimens of interest was a very large Ly coper - 
don giganteum , Batsch. Some magnificent Polyporus giganteus , 
Fr., and one very fine mass of Polyporus intybaceus, Fr. Very 
large specimens of Helvella lacunosa were found at Penicuik, one 
of which was five inches high and six inches in circumference. 
Beautiful clusters of Clavaria amethystina , Fr., and a mass of 
Clavaria stricta , Fr., extending seven or eight inches in both 
directions, were exhibited. Hygrophorus calyptrce formis, B. & 
Br., of the normal colour, was accompanied by a pure white 
variety. 
Of species entirely new to the British Isles were Agaricus 
( Crepidotns ) calolepis , Fr., and Craterium Friesii , R., the latter 
found by Mr. W. Phillips in Hawthornden. A species of Nectria , 
growing in large patches on the naked ground at Penicuik, is 
probably new. In order to facilitate study one portion of the col- 
lection was named and displayed in scientific sequence ; the other 
portion being grouped as a popular exhibition and displayed with 
a view to effect. In both sections there were also named collec- 
tions of the edible and poisonous species. 
Many species of interest were exhibited, and the whole mass of 
specimens sent in was exceedingly large. The whole available 
time between the arrival of the hampers and the opening of the 
exhibition was occupied by the experts in naming and labelling the 
specimens, and arranging them in their proper groups ; heDce 
little or no time was left for them to look over, much less examine 
and decide upon critical or doubtful individuals. A few hours 
after the opening of the exhibition and most of the English myco- 
logists were on their way home, their only regret being that the 
work of the meeting commenced so late in the week ; that it was 
impossible, in the two or three hours which intervened between the 
close of their work in preparing for the exhibition and the depar- 
ture of inexorable trains, to study the mass of Fungi which had 
been brought together. As it was, the indefatigable local secretary, 
Mr. J. Sadler, to whom so much of the success of the exhibition 
was due, after working through two nights, broke down, and had 
to take to his bed, with an attack of pleurisy. This was the only 
circumstance which occurred to throw a shadow across the bright 
course of events during the few days of the first meeting of the 
Scottish cryptogamists with their English friends in “ Auld 
Reekie.” 
Next year’s meeting will be held at Forres, but there will be no 
exhibition on that occasion. 
As an outcome of the meeting, we have heard intimations of 
the probability of a local Cryptogamic Club being started for 
Edinburgh and its vicinity. Of course, we wish the project every 
success, if attempted, on the principle of “ the more, the merrier,” 
or perhaps still better, “ the more, the wiser.” 
