47 
•Aisgiist 3 1st. From Corfe Castle Mr. R. V. Sherring con¬ 
ducted the party, by the kind permission of 
Captain Marston, to Thrasher’s Heath to see the various Heaths 
-and other plants there in bloom, thence, by Flashelt Plantation, 
Brenscombe Heath and Forrest Lane, on to the Downs. Here 
Mr. Sherring referred to a previous report, and pointed out in 
detail the spreading of the Spartina grass in the various creeks, 
beginning at Arne on to Middlebere Creek, Round and Long 
Islands, and up the west and east branches of Wych Creek, 
thence round Fitzworth Point to Ower and Newton Bays to Green 
and Fursey Islands, past Goathorn, on to Brand’s Bay, Bramble 
Bay and the South Haven. He commented on the great increase 
of the grass in those places, and Mr. Rankin followed with 
remarks on the successive advances it had made from Southamp¬ 
ton Water, by Lymington and Beaulieu Rivers to Poole Harbour. 
To illustrate this he also referred to Dr. Stapf’s paper in volume 
V. 'I he weather was clear, and the views from the Downs were 
greatly admired on the way back to Corfe for tea. 
Sept. 23rd. Fungus Foray at Holmsley. This was conducted 
by Mr. J. F. Rayner, F.R.H.S. The Holmsley 
•enclosure was explored, and afterwards Brown Hill and Wootton 
Copse. Lunch was taken in the Wood, and search was made 
along the ridings, where many interesting specimens were 
collected. Boletus parasiticus was a first record for the forest. 
Also, the more common B. pachypus and B. satanas. Only one 
specimen of the fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) was met with. 
Another new record was Otidea leporina y so named from its 
resemblance to a hare’s ear. On the whole, the number of speci¬ 
mens collected was quite appreciable, and a very interesting and 
instructh e afternoon was spent. 1 he weather conditions were 
singularly favourable. Mr. Rayner received the warm thanks of 
the party for his valuable assistance. 
The Chairman of the Section, Miss Agnes Rooper, conducted 
the working parties to Hengistbury Head, Stoborough and Christ¬ 
church Meadows, and Dr. Shillitoe to Stoborough and Red Cliff. 
i he attendance at the excursions has increased, and fresh 
members ha\ e been added. On some of the general excursions 
new districts were worked with advantage. Notwithstanding the 
illness of the Chairman and the Hon. Secretary, the work of the 
Section has been well maintained, and many plants added to the 
inerbai ium. It is gratifying that these included rare plants found 
in new localities. 
. Through the kindness of the Rev. E. F. Linton, a valuable 
gift has been made to the Society of a large part of the Botanical 
collection of the late Rev. W. H. Purchas, and others have kindly 
sent specimens. Thanks are due to them and to Lord Montagu, 
Sir George Meyrick and Captain Marston for leave to visit their 
properties. The Section has lost a staunch friend in Mr. Galpin, 
who took a keen interest in its work, and will be much missed! 
