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THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
The "Scarlet Agaric" itself was in great profusion, forming brilliant patches
under the birch-trees. In some of the meadows at Piercing Hill the common
edible mushroom was very fine and plentiful, and some members secured ful'
baskets. The remarkable "Parasol Mushroom" (Agaricus procerus) was also
common in the same meadows as well as in the open forest.
Some other very beautiful species were found, and the long tables at the farm
soon looked very gay with the brightly coloured plants. It was a universal
subject of regret that such beautiful natural objects could not be effectively
preserved.
Several cameras were on the ground, and Mr. Whitehead secured some very
interesting photographs of "plant associations" for the collection at the Essex
Museum. Mr. Wilfred M. Webb, F.L.S., also took many views, some of which
we may hope to see in his forthcoming serial, The Country Home.
The naturalists were gratified at re-discovering the little slug Limax tenellus
which had been found in 1904 in Epping Forest by Mr. T. Petch, after having
been lost as a British species for more than 50 years (see Essex Naturalist),
It feeds on funguses, seeming rather to prefer the poisonous kinds. Truly a day
of resurrections !
By the kindness of Mr. Gerald Buxton, the woods at Birch Hall were also
visited by the members.
At about five o'clock all the collecting parties returned to the farm, where
Mrs. Morgan had prepared an excellent "high tea," and then a meeting was
held, under the chairmanship of Mr. Miller Christy, F.L.S., the President.
Mr. Massee gave a long but interesting address on "The Economic Aspect of
Plant Diseases," dealing with the "life-histories" of some of the common
injurious fungi or "moulds" which infest crops and gardens, explaining the
wonderful advances made in the study at Kew and by continental botanists,
discoveries which go far to modify or contradict all previous notions on the
subject. It was evident from the facts brought forward that the persevering and
careful study of fungi would result in discoveries of the highest importance to
gardeners and farmers. Mr. Massee mentioned a case, in which he had been
consulted this summer, of a rose tree fungus which had destroyed at least £500
worth of blossoming roses in a week.
It was announced that an important meeting o( the club would be held about
the middle of December to consider the pressing question of river pollution from
the naturalist's point of view.
THE 259th ORDINARY MEETING.
Saturday, November 30TH, 1907.
The second meeting of the Winter Session was held as usual in the Physical
Lecture Theatre, Municipal Institute, Stratford, the President, Mr. Miller
Christy, and afterwards Mr. T. W. Reader, F.G.S., in the chair.
New Members.—The following were elected:—
Mr. F. G. Gould, 48, Sack Road, Upper Clapton, N.E.
Mr. Leonard W. Lillingston (Editor of the Talking Machine News), I, Mitre
Court, Fleet Street. E.C.