284
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
Cortinarius. Each succeeding year seems to be marked by the prevalence of
one special group. Last year Tricholoma was dominant (ante, page 149). The
foray being held somewhat late in the season probably accounts for the
important addition of two interesting members of the Truffle family to the list of
the Forest Fungi, namely Chaeromyces meandriformis, Vitt., and Tuber dryo-
philum, Tul. White-spored Agarics were extremely rare, even Amiliaria mellea
not being represented. Of the two species of Tricholoma collected, one,
T. squarrulosum, Bres., has been only twice recorded as collected in this
country, Macrosporium nobile, a minute "mould" parasitic on various
Caryophyllaceous plants, was found on the leaves of Stitchwort.
After tea an Ordinary Meeting (the 268th) was held for the confirmation of
minutes of previous meetings, Mr. T. S. Dymond, President, in the chair.
The President alluded to the fact that Sir Archibald Geikie, one of the
Honorary Members of the Club, had been chosen as President of the Royal
Society, in succession to Lord Rayleigh, and he proposed that he should
be empowered to send a letter of congratulation from the Club to Sir Archibald
on his election. This proposal was agreed to amid applause.
After referring to the more notable species collected, Mr. George Massee
gave a very interesting address dealing with many different aspects of mycology.
Lovers of the pleasant-flavoured mushroom will be sorry to learn that fungi have
very little nutritive value—flavour is all that can be credited to them, and to
retain that to the fullest degree fungi should be cooked slowly for an hour in a
covered pan. One warning was given—do not take alcohol immediately after
eating fungi ; alcohol turns the fungus into a leathery, indigestible mass. Many of
the reported cases of poisoning by mushrooms would be more correctly diagnosed
as being cases of indigestion due to the mixture of perfectly wholesome fungi and
"mountain dew."
Mr. Massee then proceeded to describe the groups into which Fungi are
divided, and, on coming to the Myxomycetes, stated that in Great Britain
agriculture lost annually fifty million pounds sterling by the attacks of these
microscopic foes, apple-canker alone being responsible for one million, while
grain-rust was estimated to do damage to the extent of fifteen millions. Mr.
Massee urged that much greater study should be given to the ecology of fungi,
and especially to that of the Myxomycetes, as preventive or palliative measures
must be based upon a true understanding of the life-histories and ecological
necessities of these insidious foes.
The remainder of tile evening was occupied in examining the collection on
the tables. A cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Massee for his services
during the day.
THE 269th ORDINARY MEETING.
Saturday, November 28th, 1908.
The second meeting of the Winter Session was held at the Technical
Institute, Stratford, at 6 o'clock, the President, Mr. T. S. Dymond, F.I.C, in
the chair.
New Members.—The following were elected members of the Club :—
Mr. Arthur Capleton, 67, Queen's Road, Leytonstone.
Dr. F. M. Turner, M.A., M.D., South Eastern Hospital, New Cross,
S.E.