THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
251
Mr. Lister then gave a practical demonstration of the Mycetozoa, illustrating
his remarks by sketches, and by an admirable series of coloured drawings by Miss
G. Lister, as well as by the specimens gathered that morning in the Lower Forest.
He had also prepared, by culture from the spores, specimens of the living
Plasmodia of several species, which were exhibited under the microscope. Miss
Lister gave most valuable assistance in the demonstration.
[The substance of Mr. Lister's address will be printed in the first part of
volume x. of The Essex Naturalist].
In concluding his remarks, Mr. Lister hoped that some members of the Club
would take up the Mycetozoa. It was, he would personally testify, a most
fascinating study, and it afforded ample opportunities for original observers to
throw more light upon the subject. He would particularly draw attention to the
species occurring in Essex. There was a wide field open for work, and for
discoveries.1
The President in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. and Miss Lister, which was
heartily accorded, said that the study of these lower fungi appeared to him of
extreme interest. The animal-like nature of the plasmodia, contrasted with the
true fungoid character of the later stages, suggested an analogy, to use a chemical
illustration, with the curious allotropic conditions assumed by certain of the
elements.
Dr. Cooke read a paper entitled, "The Essex Fungi, and how they should be
represented in the Museum," applying his remarks more particularly to the Forest
Museum. Dr. Cooke advocated equal rights and equal privileges for all depart-
ments of natural history in the Museum. Short explanations of the structure and
life-histories of the various groups of animals and plants would add greatly to the
educational value of the Museum. He greatly deplored the lack of room for the
exhibition of specimens, and especially remarked upon the very limited wall-
space.2
The President said that an effort was being made to obtain more accommoda-
tion for the Museum in Queen Elizabeth's Lodge. He also remarked upon the
superiority of the knowledge of things rather than words, and on the value of
Local Museums as educational agencies.
The Rev. W. C. Howell said that he had a suggestion to make. Many would
know that round the central room of the Royal Academy was painted up an
appropriate inscription, and he called to mind that on the tiled floor of St. George's
Hall, Liverpool, a quotation from Virgil was presented. Why should not they
have round the walls of their local museum some such words as the following from
Scopoli ; quoted by Sir W. Jardine in the preface to his edition of White's
"Selborne" (1829)?: "Observatores pauci, qui, scientiae mysteriis initiali, rite
colligunt, collecta examinant, discrimina quaerunt naturae arcana rimantur." 3 He
thought that these words would form a good and useful motto for the Museum.
The Rev. W. S. Lach-Szyrma referred with approval to the whole scheme of
the Forest Museum, and said that when the plans of the projectors were fully
1 Those wishing to take up the study, should see Mr. Lister's beautiful collection of the
British Mycetozoa in the Botanical Gallery of the British Museum, and should consult his admir-
able little "Guide to the, British Mycetozoa exhibited in the Department of Botany, British
Museum of Natural History" (with 44 illustrations, price 3d.), or his larger "Monograph of the
Mycetozoa" (with 78 plates and 51 woodcuts, 15s.). Both obtainable only at the British
Museum.
2 Dr. Cooke's paper will be printed in full in the next volume of The Essex Naturalist.
3 " [There are] a few observers, initiated into the mysteries of science, who duly make
collections, examine !the specimens collected, search for [points of] distinction, and investigate
the secrets of nature."