28
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
ulothrix, var. virella, Physcia parietina, forma cinerascens, Peltigera poly-
dactyla, Baeomyces rufus and Lecidea granulosa.
Some interesting observations were made, by various speakers, on the
characteristic flora of burnt patches of soil in the Forest, where fires
have been lighted and carbonaceous matter covers the surface. Several
cryptogams are especially partial to such stations, as for instance, the
moss Funaria hygrometrica, the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, the
lichen Peltigera spuria, several fungi, as Flammula carbonaria, Humaria
macrocystis and Cantharellus carbonarius; and Miss Lister mentioned
that an uncommon myxomycete, Diderma simplex, not known in our
Forest, has been recorded from Woolmer Forest, Hants., growing under
similar conditions of habitat.
Mr. Thompson recorded, as proof of his belief that the alleged slow
rate of growth of lichens is by no means characteristic of all Lichens,
that a burnt patch of earth on the Forest at Jack's Hill was, when first
noticed some five years ago, conspicuous afar off from the pale-green
colour of the Funaria hygrometrica which then completely covered it;
about a year or eighteen months later, the Funaria had been largely
superseded by the lichen Peltigera spuria, in abundant fruit: while, only
that day, he had revisited the spot, and found the patch of burnt soil
scarcely distinguishable from the surrounding heath, and with all trace
of the once-abundant lichen obliterated by the invasive growth of grasses.
Thus, within the space of five years, this lichen had appeared, had colonised
a small area, had thrived and fruited there, and had again disappeared.
Mr. Paulson instanced other examples of the rapid development of some
lichens which had come under his own observation, including cases of
lichens growing and fruiting on an old boot, and also on the bones of
dead sheep scattered on the chalk-downs.
Votes of thanks to the conductors closed a very interesting meeting,
and the party made their way in clear moonlight through Theydon village
to the station for the train home.
THE 444th MEETING.
Saturday, 30TH January 1915.
The third meeting of the Winter Session was held as usual in the
Technical Institute, Stratford, at 6 o'clock, Mr. S. Hazzledine Warren,
F.G.S., President, in the chair.
Death of Mr. F. W. Rudler.—The President announced the death
on 23rd January of Mr. F. W. Rudler, I.S.O., F.G.S., one of the Permanent
Vice-Presidents of the Club. He was elected an Honorary Member in
1884, and served as President in 1903-4. Mr. Rudler had had a dis-
tinguished career as a Geologist and Mineralogist, and was until lately
the Curator and Librarian of the Museum of Practical Geology. In
1902 he was honoured with the Degree of Companion of the Imperial
Service Order, in recognition of life-long service to the State in the cause
of science. The President said that he was sure all members of the Club
would greatly regret the death of their distinguished Vice-President,