xlviii Journal of Proceedings.
Saturday, October 2nd, 1880.—Field Meeting.
How frequently we have the enquiry from incipient naturalists, "What
shall I study—how shall I begin ?" Those who attended this meeting
had both precept and example to direct their choice, and to point the
way, into one at least of the byepaths of Nature which it is the duty
and pleasure of the naturalist to tread. The byepath is one which
needs careful journeying, for it is strange and difficult, and often but
dimly defined, although full of interest, and beauty, and wonder, to the
enthusiastic wayfarer. It traverses the province Cryptogamia, once of
great empire and dignity in the kingdom of Nature, but now seen of
humbler guise ; our horsetails, ferns, and mosses are but dwarf and
degenerate descendants of the gigantic Lepidodendra, Tree-ferns, and
Catamites of the Devonian and Carboniferous ages of the earth's history.
But fortunately for us, size is no measure of merit; the great Sigillaria
could we have seen them growing, wildly luxuriant, in the reeking
forests of the coal-period, would perchance have taught no higher
biological lessons than can be gathered from the study of the humble
club-mosses of our native woods and heaths. And how much there is
of interest- in the history, but very partially known, of that mysterious
tribe called Fungi by the learned, and Toadstools, Mushrooms, and
Moulds by the general. Flowerless they are by name and nature, but
often of striking beauty. A search in Epping Forest any fine morning
in this present month of October will reveal many a Cryptogamic gem ;
the brilliant Fly-Agaric, with its' scarlet crown; the coral-like Peziza
aurantia, or the golden yellow Clavaria, found springing up in luxuriant
clusters by woodland paths and hedge-rows. Here then is a "hobby,"
attractive and comparatively unridden; and our Forest is the very place
in which to exercise it; Epping being perhaps one of the best localities
for the larger Fungi in England. And at the meeting we chronicle what
better teachers could the developing mycologist desire ? Dr. Cooke, the
hero of a hundred fungus forays and author of many a recondite treatise
and popular history anent his favourites, was on the Forest betimes, in
company with a portmanteau of wondrous capabilities, destined ere the
day was over to be the resting-place of many a rare Agaric. With him
was Dr. Wharton, M.A., F.L.S., himself an accomplished mycologist
and ornithologist. Later trains brought to Loughton Professor Maxime
Cornu, of Paris, of European reputation as a fungologist; our kind
friend Mr. Worthington Smith, F.L.S., to whom our members were
indebted for the jocular woodcut which proved so attractive on the
programme of the day's proceedings ; Mr. James English, than whom
no one is better acquainted with the secret homes and haunts of many
a rare Epping fungus; Mr. E. M. Holmes, F.L.S., an authority on
mosses, lichens, and sea-weeds; Mr. Howse, the Woolhopean; the High
Sheriff and Verderer, Mr. Andrew Johnston, and upwards of fifty
members and friends, including several ladies. Never was a Naturalists'