142 
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 
By Arthur Lister, F.RS., &. 
The British Mycological Society was founded at a meeting of 
the Mycological section of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union at 
Selby, on the 19th September, 1896. After the death of Dr 
Bull, the Woolhope Naturalists’ Club ceased to be the resort of 
the leading Mycologists and the annual fungus forays had been 
abandoned. Hence it was suggested that the present Society 
should be formed to hold yearly meetings of a week’s duration 
at different centres throughout the country, with the object of 
obtaining a more complete knowledge of the fungus flora of 
Britain and to give the opportunity of careful study of the 
specimens collected. 
Under the fostering care and valuable assistance of our Secre- 
tary, Mr. Carleton Rea, the Society has had a prosperous ex- 
perience which has amply justified its foundation ; the list of its 
members has steadily increased and includes many distinguished 
names. Prof. Marshall Ward was at one time President, and it 
is with deep regret that we lately heard of his death; as a man 
of high scientific attainments and as a personal friend, we mourn 
his loss. 
The Society has met successively at Sherwood Forest, 
Dublin, the New Forest, Rothiemurchus Forest, Exeter, Here- 
ford, Savernake Forest, Whitby and Haslemere. I have had the 
privilege of taking part in the forays at Savernake and Hasle- 
mere, the latter centre including the rich forest of Woolmer, and 
thanks to the arrangements of our Secretary we obtained per- 
mission to explore woods not open to the public. 
In coming to Epping Forest you may not find the abundance 
of material that Savernake and Woolmer afforded but in their 
annual fungus foray the Essex Field Club has for many years 
made fine collections, and has added many species new to the 
British flora. Asa member of that Club I may express the ao 
satisfaction we have in welcoming the British Mycological 
Society in their visit to our county. At the same time I may 
Say, as a member of that Society that it gives us great pleasure 
that members of the Essex Field Club are joining our meeting ; 
I would especially thank Mr. Cole for his valuable and expett- 
enced help. One feature of our time at Haslemere which was 
