28 
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 
ulothrix, var. virella , Physcia parietina, forma cinerascens, Peltigera poly- 
daclyla, Beeomyces vufus and Lecidea granulosa. 
Some interesting observations were made, by various speakers, on the 
characteristic flora of burnt patches of soil in the Forest, where fires 
have been lighted and carbonaceous matter covers the surface. Several 
cryptogams are especially partial to such stations, as for instance, the 
moss Funaria hygrometrica, the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, the 
lichen Peltigera spuria , several fungi, as Flammula carbonaria, Humaria 
macrocystis and Cantharellus carbonarius ; and Miss Lister mentioned 
that an uncommon myxomycete, Diderma simplex, not known in our 
Forest, has been recorded from Woolmer Forest, Hants., growing under 
similar conditions of habitat. 
Mr. Thompson recorded, as proof of his belief that the alleged slow 
rate of growth of lichens is by no means characteristic of all Lichens, 
that a burnt patch of earth on the Forest at Jack’s Hill was, when first 
noticed some five years ago, conspicuous afar off from the pale-green 
colour of the Funaria hygrometrica which then completely covered it ; 
about a year or eighteen months later, the Funaria had been largely 
superseded by the lichen Peltigera spuria, in abundant fruit: while, only 
that day, he had revisited the spot, and found the patch of burnt soil 
scarcely distinguishable from the surrounding heath, and with all trace 
of the once-abundant lichen obliterated by the invasive growth of grasses. 
Thus, within the space of five years, this lichen had appeared, had colonised 
a small area, had thrived and fruited there, and had again disappeared. 
Mr. Paulson instanced other examples of the rapid development of some 
lichens which had come under his own observation, including cases of 
lichens growing and fruiting on an old boot, and also on the bones of 
dead sheep scattered on the chalk-downs. 
Votes of thanks to the conductors closed a very interesting meeting, 
and the party made their way in clear moonlight through Theydon village 
to the station for the train home. 
THE 444th MEETING. 
Saturday, 30TH January 1915. 
The third meeting of the Winter Session was held as usual in the 
Technical Institute, Stratford, at 6 o’clock, Mr. S. Hazzledine Warren, 
F.G.S., President, in the chair. 
Death of Mr. F. W. Rudler. —The President announced the death 
on 23rd January of Mr. F. W. Rudler, I.S.O., F.G.S., one of the Permanent 
Vice-Presidents of the Club. He was elected an Honorary Member in 
1884, and served as President in 1903-4. Mr. Rudler had had a dis¬ 
tinguished career as a Geologist and Mineralogist, and was until lately 
the Curator and Librarian of the Museum of Practical Geology. In 
1902 he was honoured with the Degree of Companion of the Imperial 
Service Order, in recognition of life-long service to the State in the cause 
of science. The President said that he was sure all members of the Club 
would greatly regret the death of their distinguished Vice-President, 
