Journal of Proceedings, lxi
To Mr. Malcolm McLean, Gardener to J. Whatman, Esq., Vinters
Park, Maidstone, belongs the honour of sending the champion fungus of
the year for exhibition at our Annual Fungus Meeting. His name and
address should be preserved in the archives of fungology for ever. A
letter preceded the fungus stating that it was very big, that it had grown
at the base of a Scotch Fir, and had only once before been seen in
Vinters Park. The request to send the fungus up was at once complied
with, and it came in an enormous deal box (now a spacious and luxurious
rabbit-hutch) painfully carried by two men. On opening the box a
delectable fragrance poured out, and on removing the shavings a stupen-
dous specimen of the rare and edible Sparassis crispa was seen—such a
specimen as had probably never before gladdened the eyes of any fun-
gologist. A common size for Sparassis is that of an orange, or possibly
a small round melon, but here was an example of massive and cyclopean
proportions—three feet six inches round, ten inches high, and with a
solid rooting base six inches deep. As far as the writer knows, such
another specimen has never been seen or even dreamed of "in tale or
history." It was no easy matter to get this fungus to Loughton, but
after all the rooting portion had been cut away it was divided into two
pieces, and dropped into a couple of large open fish-baskets. These
baskets the writer took by hand to Liverpool Street, very much in the
style of an itinerant street vendor of sponges, with a very large stock-in-
trade. The first person met at the station was Dr. Spurrell, who, with
quick geologic eye, took the cream-coloured, sponge-like masses for a
series of magnificent examples of teeth of Elephas primigenius, which
indeed they very much resembled; but the ambrosial fragrance, so
different from that pertaining to elephant's teeth, soon advised him of the
true nature of the treasure. Two fungologists carried the fish-baskets to
the "Crown" Hotel, and lovingly placed the Sparassis in the room set
apart for the exhibition of the day.
This second "Fungus Foray" of our Club, in welcome contrast to the
first, was held under very favourable meteorological conditions: the day
was such as one would have chosen—warm, bright, and delightful. Seen in
the brilliant sunshine, the woods of Epping Forest presented some
charming features of colour and form, and the special objects of our
search were abundant, although a few species were perhaps a little passe,
the fungus season, at least in the Forest, having opened somewhat earlier
than usual. The band of experts invited by the Secretary to act as
leaders and advisers was remarkably comprehensive. Dr. M. C. Cooke
was one of the first fungographers to arrive at Loughton, accompanied by
Dr. H. T. Wharton ; soon after Dr. Braithwaite was on the spot, with Mr.
W. W. Beeves, Dr. Spurrell, Mr. Worthington Smith, Mr. A. Heath, Mr.
J. A. Johnson, and many other professional or amateur botanists.
Seventy members and friends had sent in their names as desiring to be
present, but more than a hundred persons actually attended. Mr.
English's local knowledge was very useful, and Mr. E. M. Holmes being