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ANNUAL FUNGUS FORAY.
Saturday, October i6th, 1897.
THE Annual Cryptogamic Meeting was held on this day, the head-quarters
for the meeting being Warren Hill House, Loughton, on the very kind
invitation of Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Johnson.
The arrangements were much the same as those adopted at all these
meetings since the first on October 2nd, 1880. The Conductors were :—Dr.
M. C. Cooke, M.A., LL.D., A.L.S., Prof. G. S. Boulger, F.L.S., E. M.
Holmes, Esq., F.L.S., George Massey, Esq., F.L.S. (Principal Assistant,
Cryptogamic Department, Kew), E. D. Marquand, Esq. (Kew Museum), and
the Hon. Secretaries.
A very large attendance of members interested in Botany was a feature
in the day's proceedings ; we were also favoured with the company of several
well-known London botanists, non-members of the Club, and many of the
botanical students of the Pharmaceutical Society.
The morning party assembled at Chingford Station at n o'clock, and
the members and visitors were driven in two large brakes to Honey Lane
Quarters, and then to the Theydon Woods, alighting at Oak Hill, for a
ramble through the very pleasant and productive woods in this part of the
forest.
Luncheon was taken at the "Wake Arms," and at about half-past two
an assembly was called at High Beach, to which rendezvous a large additional
party of members and friends came from Loughton Station, Chingford, &c., &c.
A long collecting ramble was then taken in Monks Wood, through
Debden Slade, Black Bushes, Strawberry Hill, and so to Warren Hill, which
was reached about five o'clock.
At Warren Hill House, the party (nearly 100 in number) was most
warmly welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. Johnson and family. The large hall of
the house was set out with tables, and devoted to the display of specimens
and other exhibits, and tea was served in the billiard room.
After tea, the billiard room was cleared, and set with chairs, and in it
the Ordinary Meeting (the 173rd) of the Club was held.
The President was absent from home, and the chair was taken by Prof.
R. Meldola, F.R.S., Vice-President.
The following were elected members of the Club :—Mrs. F. Coles, Dr.
W. B. Nicholson, Messrs. Arthur C. Coffin, B.A., Inter. B.Sc, W. H. Short,
and F. G. Whittle.
The Chairman proposed that the best thanks of the Club be given to Mr.
and Mrs. Johnson for their kindness and hospitality in the reception of the
very numerous company that evening. In the years past the Club had
assembled under varying conditions, climatic and otherwise, but seldom had
they found such a very cordial welcome as had been extended to them under
that roof. This proposal was carried by acclamation, amid hearty cheers.
Mr. Johnson expressed the pleasure of himself and Mrs. Johnson at
welcoming the Club at their house, and said that their only desire was that the
members and visitors should spend a pleasant and profitable evening.