51 
of which the student says to himself, “How strange that I 
should have overlooked this hitherto.” Sometimes it happens 
that this particular species comes to be considered as new, not 
because it is really ew, but unobserved, owing to its uncertain 
appearance, the causes of which he hidden. We remember 
how abundantly mushrooms prevailed in the autumn of 1901 
and were exceedingly scarce in the following year. Novelty is 
ever with us, and it is a strong point in our method of recrea- 
tion. Pleasures repeated too often lose their zest, but Fungi 
never fail to please those who study them. Enjoyment comes 
and there is no limitation to the enjoyment. If the mind is 
devoted to classification here is occupation indeed; there are 
hundreds, even thousands, to arrange in some definite order. 
Is it the life history, or the geographical distribution, or the 
chemical constitution? There are prizes to be won; the field 
‘s wide and free. Have we any skill with the pencil or brush? 
For the artist there is an almost endless charm in the effort to 
copy the forms and tints displayed before us. What more 
elegant than the marks distinguishing the Cortinari? 
It is an advantage to the novice in these matters that 
at the annual meeting he may see_ these objects in 
great variety and already named for him. He may 
often also witness the objects themselves being drawn and 
coloured by some of our members; if he chooses to make 
enquiry he will find those ready to satisfy him with courtesy 
and kindness. For him at least there is a minimum of trouble 
and he may soon learn what the language of his books have 
failed to impart. 
Our method of recreation takes us out into the open alr, 
clears our mind of the dust and cobwebs of too close an appli- 
cation to an absorbing occupation or professional business. If 
illness overtake us the time of convalescence may be brightened, 
the tediousness of a slow recovery be shortened by the study 
of some special group, Spherias, Peziz@, or the Mycetozoa 
Specimens often lie close at hand and are easily accessible. 
Friends and relatives are only too glad to look for them and 
enable us to bring them into the field of the microscope. The 
water-butt at the back door, the leaves and twigs lying about, 
will afford occupation for many days. When strength returns 
we prosecute our favourite recreation with renewed enjoyment. 
There is a vast area before us, atmosphere as well as land, wait- 
ing to be explored. The knowledge we already possess, much 
of it recorded in our literature, soon requires supplementing or 
revising. Mr. Biffin pointed out to us last year a species hav- 
ing more than one kind of fruit, and this law, of which we 
knew something previously, seems likely to gain a much wider 
extension. 
