296 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ October 4,138S. 
were given under a belief that they were effectual preservatives against 
evil spirits. The Hawthorn was the flower which formed the wreath of 
Athenian brides. At the present day, in our own country, the bridal 
wreath is almost entirely composed of Orange blossoms on a background 
of Maidenhair Fern, a sprig here and there of Stephanotis blending its 
exquisite fragrance. Much uncertainty exists as to why this blossom has 
been so much worn by brides, but the general opinion seems to be that 
it was adopted as an emblem of fruitfulness. According to a correspon¬ 
dent of Notes and Queries the practice has been derived from the 
Saracens, amongst whom the Orange blossom was regarded as a symbol 
of a prosperous marriage—a circumstance which is partly to be accounted 
for by the fact that in the East the Orange tree bears ripe fruit and 
blossom at the same time. It has also been suggested that this flower 
was introduced into our wedding customs by French milliners, having 
been selected for its beauty rather than for any symbolical reason.— 
Thistleton Dyee (in Cassell's Family Magazine'), 
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 
FOURTH ANNUAL CRYPTOGAMIC MEETING, September 29th* 
Enthusiasm of more than ordinary strength seems to be one of the 
especial characteristics of the members of the above fast-growing and 
admirable Club, as, though the afternoon fixed for the annual Fungus 
foray in Epping Forest proved as unfavourable as possible, yet the 
gathering at the rendezvous, High Beach church, was very large. They 
commenced their explorations undeterred by the heavy rains, which soon 
rendered the Forest more suitable for amphibious animals than human 
beings, and a stranger unfamiliar with the objects of the Club and the 
self-denying spirit produced by a devoted study of botany, might have 
been reasonably surprised at seeing such a party assemble. Macintoshes, 
leggings, ulsters, cloaks, and various other protective articles were in 
strong force; baskets, bags, and satchels of all shapes and sizes being 
similarly numerous to contain the spoil that was so eagerly sought. 
Fungologists of world-wide fame were there duly armed, and soon 
plunged into the moist fastness of the Forest, undismayed by possible 
rheumatism or influenza. Ladies, too, delicate and fair, most bravely 
faced the dangers and discomforts, imparting the sunshine of their 
presence to the expedition, and served in no mean degree to lighten the 
gloom, especially as regarded the younger and more susceptible gentle¬ 
men members of the party. Fully equipped they commenced their 
explorations shortly after half-past three, and for a period of two hours 
and a half, during the greater portion of which time rain was descending 
in torrents, the recesses, nooks, and glades were diligently searched for 
choice, rare, and peculiar Fungi. The leading members proved very 
successful, Drs. Cooke and Wharton conveying to the head-quarters, 
“ The Roebuck,” at Buckhurst Hill, a good representative collection of 
the principal species found in the district. Others also contributed, and 
considerable space was covered with the interesting but unsavoury 
exhibits. 
Nearly one hundred members and friends assembled at the Roebuck, 
and after a substantial tea had been partaken of, with the keen relish 
which only hungry naturalists experience, they adjourned to the exhi¬ 
bition room to discuss the finds of the day and the numerous miscel¬ 
laneous contributions. The room is a large one, and four tables 
extending nearly the whole length were devoted to botanical and other 
specimens of considerable interest. One of the principal exhibitors was 
the President of the Society, Professor Boulger, who showed some com¬ 
plete collections of Essex Cryptogams, including Jungermanniaceas, and 
Fresh-water Algte, in addition to about twenty species of British Orchids, 
representatives of the family Rhizocarpacefe, including Marsilea, Azolla 
and Salvinia, and a collection of British Ferns, all well preserved and 
carefully named. Another very remarkable exhibit was a collection of 
Epping Forest Fungi from Mr. J. English, prepared and preserved in the 
excellent method described in his little manual upon the subject. By 
this process the form, colour, and characteristics of the species are admir¬ 
ably preserved, and, being mounted upon small square blocks of wood, 
they have a life-like appearance that is very striking. Some recently 
collected living Fungi were also shown, and a species (Polyporus umbel- 
latus) previously unknown in Great Britain, but found by Mr. English 
in Epping Forest, July 19th of the present year, attracted much attention. 
It is of very distinct appearance, a number of small brown or blackish 
cups being borne on small whitish stipes arising from a common stem. 
Mosses were also shown by the same exhibitor. G. P. Hope, E-q., 
Havering Chase, sent a complete collection of Essex Algae ; Mr. H. 
Bennett, eleven cases of British Characeae ; an album of British Ferns 
beautifully mounted by Miss Marion S. Ridley ; Epping Forest Mosses 
from Mr. E. Forster, and eighteen cases of British flowering plants from 
the Club museum, prepared in Mr. English’s method. A grand collection 
of Lepidoptera, in fifty-seven glass cases, was also shown by Messrs. 
W. B. G. & H. A. Cole, representing a large number of British and 
foreign species, some extremely rare, and all in a fine state of pre¬ 
servation. Plans and sections of the Loughton Camp, very cleverly 
executed by Mr. D. Cole, occupied one end of the room, together with 
cases of pottery, flint flakes, flint axe, and other curiosities found during 
the excavations at that camp. Several members also kindly brought 
microscopes, with specimens of Cryptogams prepared to show the pecu¬ 
liarities of their structure. Upon the walls were hung a series of 
diagrams and drawings illustrating the fructification of Cryptogamic 
plants. These were remarkably good, being distinguished by the clear¬ 
ness of definition distinguishing Mr. David Houston’s work. 
Dr. R. Hogg sent specimens of the so-called Ginger-beer riant, which' 
somewhat resembles large irregular grains of boiled sago. They were 
shown to several of the leading botanists and fungologists present, but* 
very little appears to be known about it. Dr. Cooke states that he has 
frequently examined specimens sent him to be named, but he could 011 Y 
determine it to be a cellular vegetable body similar to some other low 
forms of Fungi such as the Y T east and Vinegar Plants, but apparen y 
distinct from them. He regards it as an immature form of some species 
which, when placed in the sugar-and-water mixture usually employe! 
in the manufacture of the “ginger-beer,” is under unnatural coni- 
tions, and cannot develope its normal characters. The best P laI *> e 
considers, would be to endeavour to grow it comparatively dry, as en 
probably it would assume its proper form. Mr. W. G. Smith s a ec 
that the Fungus was well known in several districts, and that it is occa¬ 
sionally sold in small bottles as a curiosity, but from a cursory examina¬ 
tion he had given it he concluded it was a form of Yeast. Mr. Jac son,. 
Curator of the Museums at Kew, has had samples submitted to him, an 
is now trying it under various conditions. Dr. Silvester is also in¬ 
vestigating its characters, and has found, as other experimenters a so 
have, that ground ginger seems beneficial to the growth of the r ungu? r 
which then decomposes the sugar more rapidly. 
An ordinary meeting of the Club (Professor Boulger presiding) was 
held when the visitors had inspected the exhibits, and several new 
members were proposed and elected, and after some other oflicial 
business had been disposed of, Dr. M. C. Cooke gave a few remarks upcn 
“ Recent Additions to the Fungus Flora of Epping Forest.” He stated 
that since the last issued by the Club had been compiled over forty 
species new to the district had been observed, and several were also new 
to Britain. He especially referred to the Polyporus umbellatus, shown 
by Mr. English, which had been found in various parts of Europe, but 
not previously in England. Several others found by Mr. W. G. Smith 
and Dr. Cooke were also noted. Some Fresh-water Algae were also 
mentioned, several of which had been discovered by the lecturer during 
recent researches amongst those minute plants. Mr. W. G._Smith 
followed with an interesting paper upon “ The Lower Orders of Fungi, 
which will be published next week in these pages. Dr. H. T. Wharton 
read an elaborate paper upon “ Fungi as Poisons,” w T hich was listened to 
with great attention. He stated that no hard-and-fast line can be drawn 
to distinguish eatable from poisonous Fungi, and the only method is, as 
with flowering plants, to obtain an accurate knowledge .of the species 
themselves. The principal are readily recognised, and with close obser¬ 
vation no difficulty willbeexperienced in detecting the noxious members of 
the family. He briefly enumerated the most remarkable of the injurious 
forms, but observed that there is much difference of opinion respecting 
the innocent or poisonous Fungi, some being described under the one 
head and some under the other even by eminent fungologists, and he 
advised all to abstain from testing species respecting which there is 1the 
slightest doubt. Even ordinary Mushrooms in moderate quantities affect 
some persons injuriously, and one man he knew always had a number of 
strange symptoms after partaking of a very small portion. He thought 
much depended upon the constitution of the individual, and also upon 
the state of their health at the time of eating the Fungus. Careful and 
thorough cooking is most essential, employing salt and pepper liberally, 
and possibly by this means some slightly poisonous species might be 
rendered safely eatable. In cases of poisoning by Fungi death may occur 
from a few hours to several days, but prompt remedies are important ; 
an emetic administered immediately, followed by a strong dose of castor 
oil, is the safest antidote that could be recommended. 
Mr. R. Meldola, Ex-President of the Club, and the de^gate at the 
meeting of the British Association at Southport, read a report respecting 
the regulations of this Association concerning the appointment of dele¬ 
gates of local naturalists’ societies and field clubs throughout, the 
kingdom, by which it appeared that the privilege would be. restricted 
to those of sufficient social status, and which publish their transac¬ 
tions in a printed form. Mr. W. Cole read portions of a lengthy report 
of the Committee appointed to investigate the pre-Roman camp at 
Loughton, and explained the diagrams and plants previously alluded 
to, but the complete report will be published in the “ Transactions ” of 
the Club. 
Shortly after 9 P.M. the meeting was brought to a close, and the 
members and visitors dispersed damp, but not depressed, unanimously 
wishing that the next gathering may be more favoured by the weather. 
MR. JOHN HOLLINGWORTII. 
I AM sure that there are no lovers of the Rose who have ever come 
in contact with this veteran amateur but will rejoice to hear of hia 
recovery from a long and painful illness, that at one time made bis 
recovery very uncertain. He is the “ doyen ” of amateur Rose-growers. 
Of the exhibitors of the days when Mr. Hedge and a few others were the 
small phalanx he only remains. Ever ready to encourage the culture of 
his favourite flower, he still retains his ardent love for it, and rejoices- 
to see the numerous competitors who now enter the list, and whom he 
is ever ready to cheer on in his hearty way, even though at the expense 
of his own success. In a visit I paid the other day to Maidstone (of 
which I hope to say something in an early issue of the Journal), I bad tbe 
pleasure of seeing him. For nearly three months he had been laid by 
with rheumatic gout, and was two months in bed ; but even then he 
had his beauties brought up for him to inspect, and rejoiced to hear of 
all that was going on in the Rose world. Cn leaving him he desired me 
