100 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
Annual "Fungus Foray."
Saturday, October 19th, 1895.
The Annual Cryptogamic and Botanical Meeting was held on this day, the
headquarters for the assembly being the "King's Oak" Hotel, High Beach,
Epping Forest.
The arrangements were precisely similar to last year, and Dr. M. C. Cooke was
again referee, his most valuable services being in constant requisition. The
members began to assemble at Loughton and Chingford about 11 o'clock, and a
conveyance was engaged by the Club to take the various parties quickly up to
the best collecting grounds. It is quite unnecessary to enter into any detailed
report of the day's work, as this would be but repeating the accounts of former
"Forays." The woods near High Beach and Chingford, Honey Lane Quarters,
Monks Wood, etc., were well searched for specimens ; while Mr. Oldham brought
a large number from Woodford Lower Forest, and the Messrs. Cole specimens
from Lodge Bushes and elsewhere. A very considerable number of species was
obtained, and displayed on the tables in the large room in the Hotel. Dr. Cooke
took great pains in naming doubtful species and in giving information to
inquirers.
After tea, at 6.30, the usual Ordinary Meeting (the 159th) was held, the
President, Mr. David Howard, F.C.S., in the chair.
Prof. Meldoda called attention to the lamented death of Prof. Babington
F.R.S., an old Member of the Club, and of Dr. Wharton, a constant attendant at
the Fungus Forays almost from the foundation of the Club.
Dr. Cooke also made some interesting and sympathetic references to these
distinguished botanists, and a vote of condolence with their families was passed.
Dr. Cooke then gave his annual report on the observations made with respect
to the mycological flora of the Forest, and announced that one new species had
been obtained, viz., Tricholoma duracinus, Cke., which had been found in Great
Britain only once before, at Kew.
Mr. A. B. Rendle, M.A., F.L.S., of the Botanical Department, British Museum,
then gave a most interesting Address on the Natural Order of Plants, in which he
sketched the development of the modern botanical classifications, and insisted upon
the great importance of constant study in the field in order to accurately under-
stand many species.
The President and Prof. Meldola made some very appreciative remarks upon
Mr. Rendle's address, and the latter called attention to the indications of greater
value being set upon field-work in the future than in the past ten or twenty years,
and referred to Prof. J. Dyer's address at the British Association Meeting at
Ipswich.
The Rev. W. C. Howell also spoke, and supported the cordial votes of thanks
that were passed to Dr. Cooke and Mr. Rendle for their services.
The remainder of the evening was spent in examining the vast number of
specimens upon the tables.