REPORTS OF MEETINGS 139
"The large and striking area covered by the Hog's Fennel (Peucedanum
officinale L.) is of particular note and unless there is a comparative area of
the same extent on the adjacent island (Horsey), then Skippers Island
probably has the largest area of this rare plant in the whole of the British
Isle."
A pair of Short-eared Owls was seen. The owner has seen them at other
times and it is just possible that they breed on the island. The elms referred
to by Bernard Ward are the site of a very small heronry. Some of the herons
were seen by members. A covey of some 20 partridges was repeatedly put up.
There was nothing of entomological interest to report; earlier in the
summer an interesting list could have been compiled.
The visit was organized by Mr. E. F. Williams who has kindly offered
further opportunities for members to visit the Island for the purpose of
studying its most interesting ecology. Our grateful thanks are due to Mr.
and Mrs. Williams for their hospitality to members during the weekend.
Fungus Foray in Epping Forest (1012th Meeting)
SUNDAY, 6 OCTOBER, 1957
A total of about ninety people attended this meeting. One large party,
led by Mr. C. B. Pratt assembled at Loughton Station while two other
parties met at Chingford Station, one led by Mr. D. G. Chapman and the
other, which was to concentrate on the Mycetozoa, by Mr. Bernard Ward,
After some hours spent collecting in the Forest all the parties met at Debden
House to stage their finds and then to have tea. The specimens were examined
and named by Dr. F. B. Hora assisted by Mrs. Stuart Boardman and Mrs.
S. M. Francis, and were then laid out on tables previously prepared with plates
and labels by Mr. and Mrs. Boardman.
After tea the President, Mr. E. E. Syms, welcomed Dr. Hora and repre-
sentatives of the British Mycological Society and then asked Dr. Hora to
comment on the day's finds.
Some 120 species of Fungi were collected during the day and a list of
these has been kindly provided by Mrs. S. M. Francis for inclusion in the
Club's records.
Mr. Bernard Ward reported that twenty-one species of Mycetozoa had
been collected—a not unsatisfactory total—considering the comparative dry-
ness of the Forest and the drying weather conditions of the preceding two
weeks. He has since submitted the following list, the identifications having
been confirmed by Mr. Joseph Boss.
Certatiomyxa fruticulosa (Mull.) Macbr.
Physarum untans var. leucophaeum (Fries) Lister
P. sinuosum (Bull.) Weinm. (P. bivalve, Pers.).
Diderma floriforme (Bull.) Pers.
Didymium difforme (Pers.) Duby.
D. melanospermum (Pers.) Macbr.
D. nigripes (Link) Fries.
Stemonitis fusca Both.
Comatricha nigra (Pers.) Schroet.
C. pulchella (Bab.) Rost.