SIXTY YEARS OF BRITISH MYCOLOGY.
223
and what has been accomplished for the microscope and with
the microscope during sixty years is a matter of history. As the
accurate discrimination of the Cryptogamia depends so largely
upon microscopical characters, it is but reasonable to predicate
that the knowledge of the Cryptogamia would increase with the
development of this agent.
As the nineteenth century draws rapidly to its close we
who have lived through the last three quarters of it look back
with proud satisfaction at all which we have individually been
able to do in aid of the onward progress of this department of
Natural Science, and, at the same time, look forward with hope
and confidence to a glorious future which shall utilize the
discoveries of the past. British Mycologists, therefore, have
every reason to be satisfied and proud of the progress of
mycology in the British Isles during the sixty years reign of the
Queen.
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
VISIT TO THE COLNE ESTUARY, AND INSPEC-
TION OF THE COLCHESTER OYSTER FISHERIES
AND BREEDING GROUNDS.
Thursday, September 9th, 1897.
Conductors—The Worshipful the Mayor of Colchester, H. C. Sorby, LL.D., J.P.,
F.R.S.. F.L.S, Sc; Alderman H. Laver, J.P., F.L.S., F.S.A.; Councillor J. C.
Shenstone; C. E Benham; W. Cole, F.L.S, F.E.S.; Walter Crouch, F.Z.S.;
Councillor Claude Egerton-Green ; E. A. Fitch, F.L.S., F.E.S ; Edgar Newman;
Councillor J. W. Potter; Councillor L. J. Watts.
When an autumnal meeting in the Colchester district was mooted, two of
our most active local members (Mr. J. C. Shenstone and Mr. C. E. Benham)
suggested a visit to the Colne Oyster Fisheries as likely to afford both
pleasure and instruction to the members. They accordingly formed them-
selves into a Committee, and the very successful meeting we have now to
record was largely the fruits of their exertions. Many members of the
Colchester Corporation took an active interest in the event ; the Colne
Fishery Board very kindly lent their steam-dredging vessel, the "Pyefleet,"
for the occasion, and gave great facilities for the conduct of the meeting, and
Messrs. W. and H. A. Cole drew up and illustrated a very handsome circular
containing much information on the natural history of the oyster and the
mode of culture pursued in the Colne.
The threatening skies of the previous days kept some away, and the
party was not quite so large as was anticipated, nevertheless about 100
members and friends assembled at Messrs. Forrestt and Sons' ship-yard,