October 11, 1883. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
323 
u pon.Polyporus annosus whilst still attached to the tree. I have also seen 
Agaricus tuberosus not only growing from the gills of Agarics and Russulm, 
but growing out of the tubes of Polyporus squamosus. Agaricus Loveianus 
grows on the top of Agaricus nebularis whilst still alive, and a drawing of 
mine representing a family of the former growing on the top of an example 
of the latter may be seen in the Bethnal Green Museum. A sort of under¬ 
ground Truffle named Elaphomyces variegatus is preyed upon by a com¬ 
paratively large Pungus named Torrubia ophioglossoides, whilst an allied 
Elaphomyces, named E. grauulatus, supports a still larger parasite named 
Torrubia capitata. A Puff-ball-like Pun gus named Scleroderma vulgare is 
often preyed upon by a Fungus bigger than itself named Boletus parasiticus. 
Two .Fungi named Nyctalis asterophora and N. parasitica grow upon 
Agarics and Russuloe. Peziza saniosa grows on Thelephora sebacea, Peziza 
clavariarum on Clavarias, Peziza erythrostigma on Sphserias, and Helotium 
pruinosum on Hyjroxylon and Diatrype. 
I have only mentioned a few of the larger parasites and cannibals ; some 
live on dead Pungus flesh and others on the living juices. The microscopic 
species are far more numerous, and these latter parasites often attack other 
parasites. For instance, the Boletus which grows on the living Scleroderma 
is often attacked whilst still alive by a sore pest of Boleti named Hypomyces 
luteo-virens ; the Pezizas which attack Clavarias and other Fungi are some¬ 
times. eaten up by Bactridium Helvellae. The list of cannibals amongst 
Fungi might be extended to an almost interminable length, for fungous 
fungivori are so common that few species are exempt from attacks. 
A few of the “ lower orders ” of Fungi are parasitic on Lichens, as 
Dothidea Piggotii, Sphinctrina turbinata, four species of Illosporium, and 
others ; but the Lichen subject is difficult to approach, as certain professors 
have of late somewhat loudly taught us that thei’e are no such things as 
Lichens, but that Lichens are only Fungi involving and growing parasiti- 
cally over Algae. If this hypothesis is a correct one the species of Dothidea, 
Sphinctrina, and Illosporium just mentioned are parasitic on Fungi, which 
are already parasitic on Algae. It is to be regretted that the members of 
this Club have few opportunities of testing the truth of the Schwendenerian 
hypothesis, as although unicellular Algae and small Lichen-like Fungi are 
both extremely abundant in Epping Forest, yet the very Lichens which are 
said to be the Fungi of the one class, growing upon the very Algae belonging 
to the other class, are nowhere to be found. When I printed this statement 
in a former report of an Essex Field Club meeting, someone, thinking to 
effectively silence me by proving that Lichens really could grow in 
London, wrote that Sowerby had once found Lichens growing on the outside 
of the dome of St. Paul’s. This astounding statement in print temporarily 
paralysed me ; but on referring to Sowerby’s works I soon discovered that, 
instead of his finding Lichens growing outside the dome of St. Paul’s, what 
he really did find was a Fungus named a Myxogaster growing in a gallery 
inside the building. I thereupon humbly wrote again, claiming to have my 
opponent’s error corrected, and also to point out that one of the strongest 
advocates for considering all Lichens to be Fungi had previously taught us 
that all Myxogasters were animals and not Funguses at all. I clearly 
pointed out that an animal found creeping about (for Myxogasters do creep 
about) inside a church had been made to do duty for a Lichen vegetating 
outside the Cathedral dome ! It unfortunately happened that no room could 
be found for my rejoinder, so the readers were left in a sort of limbus 
fatuorum. It is not so well known as it should be that there is a sort of 
“Salvation Army” amongst biologists, with a “General” and other paid 
officers, and that what these gentlemen cannot effect by argument and 
reason they try to accomplish by sound and fury, by the banging of the big 
•drum, by the flaunting of banners, and by allowing (when possible) no side 
but their own to be heard. In conclusion I will refer to some of the Fungi 
given to drink. 
Most Fungi are partial to moisture, but some are followers of Father 
Matthew, and revel in water; such are Mitrula paludosa, Yibrissea truncorum, 
and some others. Hitherto the more marshy parts of the Forest have been 
rich in the production of the various Agarics found only in wet and boggy 
positions. As it seems the Forest is to be gradually drained and unnatu¬ 
ralised, so that London excursionists may never get the polish taken off 
their boots, all these curious marsh denizens must ultimately disappear. 
Some Fungi prefer “ heavy wet ” of a different nature. For instance, there 
are two Fungi which especially attack corks of wine bottles ; they bore 
through the substance of the cork and then attack the wine ; in fact, both 
these Fungi practise the trick w r ell known to wine merchants, termed 
■“ sucking the monkey.” I am hardly at liberty to consider the Fungi which 
grow on the dregs of wine and beer as true topers ; they may be classed with 
the Fungus found only on spent hops, and named Peziza theleboloides, or to 
the degenerate teetotaller named Agaricus coffeeatus, which is only seen on 
coffee grounds. A Fungus named Zasmidium cellare lives almost solely in 
wine vaults ; fortunately, however, this species has not yet “ acquired the 
habit” of boring corks. Mr. Berkeley mentions a Fungus found in strong 
Madeira wine; it is a critical species, far too knowing to grow in South 
African sherry, in which compound it has never yet been detected. 
We all know how the Yeast Fungus ferments beer, and we have probably all 
read Sir Joseph Banks’ account of the Fungus which attacked the cask of 
w;ne. The wine cellar enclosing the cask had been closed for three years ; at 
the end of this period the door of the cellar was opened, and it was then seen 
that the cask had been attacked and rotted by Fungi, and that the Fungus 
growths had fattened on the wine as it gradually leaked from the cask. The 
astounded butler was literally petrified to the spot as he saw the huge wine- 
fed Fungi on the floor, and the empty wine cask—more than a “little 
elevated”—pushed up to the cellar roof on the heads of the Fungi. 
Cider is sometimes attacked by Penicillium crustaceum, and some large 
and choice specimens of this Fungus, presented by me to the nation, may be 
seen in the public room of the Department of Botany at the British Museum, 
South Kensington. The large Fungi grew naturally within a sealed bottle of 
■cider, where they still are. The non-fungological public gaze with wonder 
at the narrow-necked sealed bottle, and cannot imagine how such large Fungi 
ever got in-side-her (in cider). 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.— October 9th. 
Dahlias again contributed largely to the attractions of the meeting, 
especially the single varieties. Asters were also shown by several in good 
condition, and dwarf Marigolds were exceedingly bright. New plants were 
represented by some notable novelties, amongst which the celebrated Vanda 
Sanderiana formed the focus of attraction, and a little crowd of Orchid- 
lovers was gathered round it nearly all the afternoon. Fruits, particularly 
Apples, were good from Great Berkhampstead, and the Vines in pots from 
the same firm were much admired ; but the superb examples of Charlotte 
Rothschild Pine Apples from Mr. Nicholas proved a counter-attraction in 
the Fruit Committee to the Vanda in the Floral Committee. 
Fruit Committee. —H. Webb, Esq., in the chair. The members present 
were Messrs. P. Crowley, G. Goldsmith, A. W. Sutton, L. A. Killick, .T. E. 
Lane, A. Ilowcroft, W. Denning, H. J. Veitch, G. Bunyard, J. Burnett, and 
J. Willard. A silver-gilt Knightian medal was awarded to Messrs. Lane 
and Son, Great Berkhampstead, for four specimens of Vines in pots—two 
specimens of Alicantes with a dozen bunches each, well-coloured Foster’s 
Seedling with about the same number of bunches, and Black Hamburgh with 
rather more, the bunches small and berries also. Bunches were shown of 
Gros Col man large and well coloured ; Barbarossa, also fine in bunch and 
berry ; Muscat of Alexandria well ripened ; Black Prince, even and deep 
colour ; Trebbiano, very large bunches ; Alicante, fine in bunch and berry 
and superbly coloured ; Black Hamburgh and Mrs. Pearson, both in good 
condition. About 100 varieties of Apples in fine condition were also shown, 
mostly of good form and colour. Lane’s Prince Albert was particularly 
notable amongst the newer varieties, branches showing the prolific character 
being also exhibited. Six dishes of Pears were shown, together with Belle 
de Septembre, Grand Duke, and Wyedale Plums. G. F. Wilson, Esq., 
Weybridge, sent some berries from a Black Hamburgh Vine grown in a cold 
orchard house. They were large and of good flavour. 
A bronze Banksian medal was awarded to Mr. Nicholas, The Gardens 
Castle Hill. South Molton, Devon, for three very handsome fruits of 
Charlotte Rothschild Pine Apple, two weighing 8 lbs. each, the other 7^ lbs., 
magnificent specimens, even and superb in form. A Smooth Cayenne, 
weighing 8 lbs. 2 ozs., vras also shown, similarly handsome in appearance and 
colour. Mr. E. Nelson, Dunmore House, Staines, sent fruits of Apple 
Stanwell Reinette, a neat variety, of moderate size, yellow shaded with 
red on one side. Mr. J. Booker, Chatteris, was awarded a vote of thanks 
for some fine examples of Warner’s King Apple. Mr. J. Walker,. Thame, 
sent three dishes of Apples, Hollandbury and Wall’s Seedling being very 
fine, the last very richly coloured. Mr. W. Fowle, gardener to Sir H. Mild- 
may, Bart., Dogmersfield, Hants, showed six specimens of King Edward 
Apples, very large, and high coloured on one side. Mr. J. Perkins, The 
Gardens, Thornham Hall, Eye, Suffolk, sent fruit of Victory of Bath Melon 
finely ripened. Mr. E. W. Dance, The Gardens, Gosfield Hall, Halstead, sent 
samples of a seedling Apple, very attractive, yellow, streaked and spotted 
with bright red. 
Mr. j. Muir. The Gardens, Mai gam Park, Taibach, South Wales, was 
awarded a first-class certificate for a new Vegetable Marrow named Muir’s 
Hybrid. It is of moderate size, about 6 inches in diameter, globular, and 
very prolific. Mr. Goldsmith, Hollanden, Tonbridge, sent six dishes of Pears, 
Doyenne Boussoch being very fine ; six fine Onions, Reading Improved, were 
also shown, for which a cultural commendation was awarded. Mr. R. Dean, 
Ealing, sent fruits of a fine new yellow Tomato named Dean’s Golden Queen, 
very even ; a new red variety, a cross between Stamfordian and Green Gage, 
named Dean’s Red King ; it is also an even and richly coloured variety. Mr. 
Dean also exhibited eleven dishes of new English Potatoes raised at Bedfont, 
and comprising Sunrise, Alderman, Chancellor, Prime Minis ter^ Cosmopolitan, 
Standwell, The Dean, Recorder, Cardinal, and Midsummer Kidney. Mr. E. 
Holmes, Lichfield, sent specimens of a Crab named La Beaute d’Automne. 
The fruits are about 1 inch long, egg-shaped, and orange-coloured with a 
tinge of scarlet. Mr. J. 0. Cooper, Calcot Gardens, Reading, sent a number 
of seedling Apples that were not found to be of special merit. Six varieties 
of Nuts were also shown, one, the Duke of Edinburgh, a very large Filbert, 
being awarded a first-class certificate. Messrs. J. Veitch it Sons, Chelsea, 
exhibited a large collection of Endive, comprising Batavian, Improved 
Curled, Moss Curled, and White Curled; a number of Savoys, and about 
thirty varieties of Tomatoes, representing all the different types, from the 
small Currant-fruited to the large President Garfield and Stamfordian. 
Floral Committee. — G. F. Wilson, Esq., in the chair. The members 
present were Messrs. T. Moore, J. Laing, H. Bennett, W. Bealby, J. V ills, 
Shirley Hibberd, H. Eckford, G. Duffield. J. Fraser, II. Ballantine, J. Dominy, 
H. Turner, J. Douglas, H. Cannell, J. McIntosh, J. James, F. R. Kinghorn, 
and H. Ebbage. 
A bronze Banksian medal was awarded to Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, 
Swanley, for a choice collection of Asters—Amellus major, purple ; longifolius 
formosus, pink ; Formosissima, deep purple ; novie-anglne, rose ; polyphyllus, 
white ; and laevis, mauve, being the best. A vote of thanks was adjudged 
for flowers of Dahlia Ariel, a lee white variety of the Glare of the Garden 
type. Several plants of Sempervivum arboreum, var. variegatum were 
notable. A bronze Banksian medal was awarded to Messrs. Rawlings, 
Bros., Romford, for a large and beautiful collection of Show, Fancy, and 
Pompon Dahlias, including a large number of fine varieties. Mr. Woolford, 
gardener to W. Lee, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, showed plants of Tricho- 
centrum orthoplectron, with a flower like a Miltonia, the sepals and petals 
brownish and narrow, the lip bright crimson. Oncidium incurvum album, 
with a large panicle of small white flowers, was very attractive ; also a 
plant of Miltonia Bluntii, with one flower, the sepals and petals narrow, 
creamy, with pale purple blotches, and a mauve and purple lip. The grand 
Vanda Sanderiana, from the same garden, was certificated, and is described 
below. Mr. G. W. Cummins, gardener to A. H. Smee, Esq., The Grange, 
Wallington, was adjudged a vote of thanks for a collection of Orchids, 
comprising Oncidium Forbesi, flowering very well; Vanda ccerulea, with two 
fine spikes; Cypripedium Spicerianum, Oncidium varicosum, Rogersi, and 
Cattleya Gaskelliana. A plant of Ansectochilus argenteus pictus was also 
shown in fine condition. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Turton, The 
Garden, Maiden Erleigh, Reading, for three well-grown plants of Celosia 
pyramidalis coccinea. Messrs. Cross & Steer, Salisbury, sent plants of a 
neat double white Perpetual Carnation named Louisa Ashburton. Mr. 
Wilson, gardener to H. M. Pollett, Esq., Fernside, Bickley, was. awarded a 
vote of thanks for flowers of Zygopetalum Mackayi and Oncidium Forbesi 
cut from a spike with thirty-four flowers. 
Messrs. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, exhibited several new plants, for which 
