358
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
inches in diameter, of Hydnum erinaceum, bristling all over with slender spines
like a hedgehog, and which had not been seen in the forest during the last twenty
years. One notable feature of this meeting was the entire absence of many
species which have been seen on the tables year by year on previous occasions.
The common Hedgehog Mushroom, Hydnum repandum, often found
plentifully in the forest, was not represented by a single specimen, neither was
there a solitary example of either the common Mushroom or the Horse Mushroom.
In fact, edible species, including the Chantarelle, the Shaggy Caps (Coprinus),
the Parasol Mushroom, and many others usually seen on the tables, were almost
wholly absent.
It was found, upon a close and critical examination, that about twelve
species were determined, which had not been recognised before within the
limits of the county, and some were evidently found in Britain for the first
time. The latter are distinguished by a * in the enumeration below :—
Tricholoma guttatum (Schaeffer), about half a dozen characteristic
specimens.
Clitocybe tornata (Fries), only seen in this country two or three times
previously.
* Collybia tabescens (Scopoli), for the first time.
* Mycena discopus (Lev.), a very minute species on dead leaves, which had
previously escaped notice.
Hygrophorus penarius (Fries), only one or two specimens, easily confounded
on cursory examination with Hygrophorus eburneus.
Cantharellus friesii (Quelet), resembling a little the common Cantharellus
aurantiacus,
*Entoloma pluteoides (Fr.), this species was found for the first time in
Britain.
Psalliota comptulus (Fries), the only representative of the true Mushroom
group.
Polyporus nidulans (Fries), several fine specimens from a tree near Loughton
Station.
Corticium comedens (Fries), on dead sticks common, but previously
overlooked.
Thelephora fatisdiosa (Fries), with a very strong and somewhat foetid odour.
Bisporella monilifera (Saccardo), in great quantity on various stumps,
associated with the common black mould, Bispora monilioides. This is a small
Peziza or Helotium, of which it is now affirmed that the black mould is the
conidial form, although the evidence is not quite convincing.
Diatrype disciformis (Hoffmann), common on dead twigs, but not previously
notified in the lists.
Mr. Lister reported that the following species of Mycetozoa had been
gathered during the day :—
Badhamia utricularis Berk. In sclerotium.
Physarum nutans Pers. Vars. b and l in abundance.
Stemonitis fusca Roth.
,, ferruginea Ehreub.
,, splendens Rost, var. confluens,
Comatrica typhoides Rast.
,, obtusata Preuss.
Trichia affinis De Bary.