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Reports from other Societies and organisations
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B.M.S. Spring Foray May 13-18 1976 is to be held at PIas Tanybwlch, Maentwrog, Snowdonia National Park. This study centre is a man sion house set in its own grounds , with comfortable accommodation , laboratory space, library, bar and lounge and as if that were not enough, its own railway station on one of the famous little train services of Wales. Dr. F. KOTLABA is to be our Guest of Honour at the autumn foray this year in the Isle of Man and we are glad to have this biographical note from Roy Watling. It might also be noted that Peter Holland recently picked up one of Dr Kotlaba's papers in Ceska Mykologie on 'Two rare quercicolous xanthochroic polypores in Czechoslovakia', abstract in Bulletin 8. 2 p.83.
Frantisek Kotlaba , a member of the staff at the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague is probably known to some of the Society's members through his attendance at the Third European Mycological Congress held in Glasgow in 1963. At that meeting Dr Kotlaba gave a progress report on the /European Mapping Scheme in which he made an appeal to the Soviet mycologists to play an active role in the Scheme ; he was a member of the Steering Committee for the Mapping Scheme, the results of the first fifty selected species having been published recently. Or Kotlaba is an active correspondent with many mycologists outside Czechoslovakia with an interest in many aspe cts of the study of larger fungi, particularly Basidiomycetes. He has published on agaric and polypore groups, particularly on their ecology and distribution. One of his most recent contributions in fact is on the geographical distribution and ecology of Phellinus torulas us appearing in the journal Ceska Mycologie . He is on the editorial board of this journal and is a regular contributor; his photographs frequently appear and show his aptitude for photography. Dr Kotlaba has solved in the past several rather tricky nomenc1atorial problems ; he frequently coauthors with his colleague Z. Pouzar. R. Watling REPORTS OF FORAYS from 'OTHER SOCIETIES'. We much appreciate having accounts of the forays and findings of kindred Societies for publication in the Bulletin. Peter Holland has kindly agreed to look after this and I expect many of our regular contributors will already be in touch with him. Secretaries or recorders of societies who have perhaps not contributed recently are cordially invited to write him at 28 , Hetherington Road, Clapham, London SW4 7NU. This is a great help in getting the Bulletin ready especially when , as is usually the case , your Editor is pushed for time. M.N. REPORTS FROM OTHER SOCIETIES AND ORGANISATIONS Bridgnorth (Shropshire) British Naturalists' Association, 11 October 1975. The party visited a picturesque rocky Bluff forming a promontory of the Keuper Sandstone escarpment known as Nessc1iff between Shrewsbury and Oswestry, the thickly wooded slopes of which have many mature oaks and beeches amongst it s deciduous trees, and many fine specimens of Scots Pine in addition to other con ifers. Unfortunately, the site was very dry, perhaps not surprisingly for a sh arply elevated sandstone knoll, and only 41 species were listed. While no rare species were recorded , the fine and ch aracteristic colour of a number of perfect specimens of My cena pura was much admired and similar interest was evoked at the colourful display provided by an unusually large tuft of Flammulina velu tipes and a large cut pine stump brightly decorated with masses of Chondrostereum purpureum. E. Blackwell.
11 Forays in Hampshire, Autumn 1975. On September 28th, the Bournemouth branch of the B.N.A. held its Annual Foray in Gritnam Wood, near Lyndhurst. This area of ancient and ornamental woodland is threatened with devastation if a proposed by-pass of Lyndhurst is built. It is not an area known to be especially rich in fungi by New Forest standards, but, while no rarities were found, it contained a large proportion of the species one expects to find in such woods, due to the large number of fallen trees. Its loss would mean the loss of one of the dwindling number of substantial areas of good old woodland in the Forest. A combined foray for the Hants Field Oub, the Hants and I.O.W. Naturalists Trust, the Southampton Natural History Society and the Alton Natural History Society was held at Charlwood, South of Alton, on October 11tho Some 90 people attended, as word had got round that fungi were plentiful: most were newcomers to mycology, so I had a hectic day identifying and demonstrating the commoner species, with little time to collect the unusual. In spite of the dry weather in the summer, a good selection of beechwood species was obtained from the slopes, with birchwood species from the top where the chalk was overlain with drift. A University Extramural Foray on October 12th in Rhinefield, near Lyndhurst, also gave an excellent haul. In particular, Cordy ceps capitata on Elaphomy ces was found, and one participant brought along a specimen of Rhodotus palmatus, an uncommon and striking species, which was abundant on elm logs at Twyford, near Winchester, but possibly a new Hampshire record. A foray for the New Milton Community Association on October 18th yielded the usual good species list from Denny Wood, near Lyndhurst. Hydnum erinaceum, which occurs there on an old beech tree, but does not fruit every year, was producing a particularly fine fruit body. J.G. Manners Hertfordshire Natural History Society. The first foray of the 1975 season was held jointly with the BMS at Frithsden Beeches on 28th September. Ninety years of fungus collecting at Bricket Wood was celebrated on 19th October by a well-attended foray led by Dr Joan Moore. Fungi were abundant and with a dozen children helping to collect baskets were soon full. More .than 120 species were found, several of which were new for the area and others that had not been recorded there since 1891. Species of Lactarius were particularly common but there were comparatively few Russulas. Enormous specimens of Leccinum quercinum, a speciality of the wood, were collected in addition to the commoner birch species of Leccinum. Among other more noteworthy finds were several large species of Cortinarius including C. delibutus and C. trivialis. Coprinus extinctorius found in a hollow of a rotten stump was a new record for Hertfordshire. Margaret Holden London Natural History Society. The Society's only foray this year was held on 4th October in Epping Forest. An oak tree just opposite the Wake Arms with a grand crop of Fistulina hepatica got the foray off to a good start. No great rarities were detected, but the party was interested to see Boletus parasiticus and Schizophyllum commune among the 38 or so species recorded for the afternoon. P.C.H. Mid-Staffs Field Club, joint meeting with Staffordshire Nature Conservation Trust,4 October 1975. A foray was held at the RSPB Nature Reserve at Coombes Valley, near Leek, North Staffs, a site of approximately 260 acres, consisting of
12 a deep thickly wooded valley and river. In order to visit a representative range of habitats it was necessary to maintain a fairly rapid pace without frequent opportunities for browsing, but nevertheless, such was the abundance of fungi that 64 species were named for the provisional list. Although nothing of rarity was found, the Reserve would repay further study at a more leisurely rate of progress and holds out promise of interesting future records. Thanks are due to Mr Maurice Waterhouse, Warden, for devoting his time guiding the party around this extensive and interesting area. E. Blackwell Reading and District Natural History Society. The Reading and District Natural History Society held two Fungus Forays in 1975. A party led by Mr Ted Green searched part of Windsor Forest on 4th October. Some 50 species were identified. On 18th October, about 40 members and friends visited Wasing Wood near Aldermaston, Berks, under the leadership of Dr F.B. Hora, who identified 70 species including Cortinarius mucifluus sensu J. Lange. A list of the species recorded at Wasing Wood will appear in No.28 of the Reading Naturalist, along with a note by Dr Hora on the last-named species. Leonie E. Cobb Salisbury & District Natural History Society. 1975 has been a very disappointing year for fungi in our area (we cover South Wilts and the New Forest north of the A31), due to the almost complete absence of rain. Our first foray on September 7th came on the heels of that glorious summer and. fungi were in very short supply. Only 36 species could be found by almost as many searchers on a twohour foray, and as one might expect, most of those were on or connected to wood. The only species of any note was a solitary Boletus nigrescens. A month later and in a marshy wood the number of species rose to a more normal figure, yet one could still feel the effect of water shortage in the number of actual fruit-bodies seen. Here, too, wood proved to be the best substrate and one fallen trunk seemed to be covered with myxornycetes in all stages. This was our best foray of the year and soon afterwards the number of species to be found fell off sharply. By the end of October it was hard to find thirty species in an afternoon . Perhaps it is just a coincidence, but I have not seen Phallus impudicus since June , yet Poronia punctata was abundant at one spot in mid-September. Ted Gange The South London Botanical Institute. The Institute's annual foray was held on 27th September at Tilburstow Hill, Surrey. Strong wind and heavy rain made collecting difficult. Some splendid specimens of Amanita phalloides were observed and passed by, as we were by then being led to tea at the home of Sir David Burnett, our host and leader. The final list came to 32 species. P.C.H. The Warwickshire Fungus Survey. Early collecting in 1975 was disappointing because of the extremely dry, hot conditions. Fortunately the latter part of the season was remarkably rewarding both in the vast quantities of fruit bodies encountered and in the number of new or unusual county records. Amanita, Agaricus, I.actarius and Psathyrella species were particularly prolific, as were examples of the Rhodophyllaceae. The abundance of white Clitocybe species , of l/ebelomas and of the Telamonia section of Cortinarius was rather frustrating and re-emphasised the need for satisfactory, up-to-date keys of these groups. The False Chanterelle, Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, seemed to be everywhere and its var. pallida appeared to be equally common.
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The first foray, to Knavenhill Wood on April 27, yielded Coprinus aeuminatus, C. domestieus and C. truneorum, but little else of note apart, perhaps, from Resupinatus applieatus. Agarics were sparse at Edge Hill on June 29th but there were some interesting discomycetes - Haglundia perelegans, Psilopezia babingtonii, and Trichophaea eretea. A myxomycete was determined by Bruce lng as Didymium ochroideum, a species new to Europe. At Heath Wood, Maxstoke, on July 27 fungi parasitic on insects were a notable feature. Cordyeeps militaris and C. [orquignoni were recorded and also Melanospora parasitiea which, although not directly an insect parasite itself, is a hyper-parasite on a fungus which is - .namely the mould, Paecilomy ces farinosus. The latter is recorded on most forays, but the hyper-parasite seldom. Agarics included Coprinus rhombisporus and another, as yet unidentified, member of the Herbicolae section. Find of the day at Weethley Wood on August 24th was a My cena new to our lists, M. integrella. Other agarics included Clitopilus hobsonii, Coprinus cortinatus and Russula pectinata. A discornycete encountered only once before in the county, Protocrea farinosa, was also noted. Its "classmate", Torrendiella ciliata, which grows on dead bramble leaves and was first recorded as British only in 1974, was fruiting in abundance. This latter fungus was also found at Chesterton Wood on September 21st. Here, also, were Coprinus species aplenty, among them C. cortinatus, C. leiocephalus and C. xantholepsis - identified by Roy Watling and believed to be only the second collection of this newly-described Orton species. Collecting was excellent at All Oaks W(;od on October 5th. New to our lists was Ino cybe lucifuga var. hirtella, while other agarics of interest were Boletus porosporus, Conocybe rickeniana, Crepidotus phillipsii, Flocculina ferruginea, My cena pterigena and Russula odorata. A beautiful golden-yellow discomycete on dead beech leaves was determined as a species known in America on Acer leaves, Dasyscyphus acerinus. This brings the number of distinct Dasyscyphus species recorded in our survey up to 40. Hirneola auricula was seen on beech, rather an unusual host. An impromptu foray to Berricote Wood on October 12th yielded Coprinus trisporus on what appeared to be fox dung. Our annual beginners' foray was at Sutton Park on October 19th and was rewarded with a fine example of Sparassis crispa - only our second record of this species. New to our lists was Tricholoma inamoenum and among other agarics found were Collybia ambusta (= Tephrocybe gibberosa), Cortinarius (Telamonia) hemitrichus and rigidus, and Pholiota alnicola on Rowan. Discomycetes included Trichophaea hemisphaeroides on the site of a bonfire and Sepultaria arenosa on a railway embankment largely consisting of old furnace. ashes. This is normally a species of sand dunes but was seen in this same locality on a previous occasion and is known from two other sites in the county in old quarries. The grounds of Hams Hall Power Station were the unusual setting for an informal foray on October 26th, when the chief interest centred on a fine specimen of Stropharia coronilla. Derek Reid lectured at a polypore weekend at Birmingham University on November l Sth and 16th and two forays were held in connection with this event. Naturally the list of aphyllophorales was a large one and some of the finds were interesting enough to be whisked off to Kew for further examination. The first site, Earlswood, brought a new agaric record, Conocybe pubescens. Tricholoma cingulatum was growing in troops alongside a railway track and in this spot further material was collected of an Omphalina, yet to be described, which apparently grows on the lichen, Peltigera canina. Cordyceps forquignoni
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turned up again too. Names have yet to be confirmed for many intriguing finds from Edgbaston Park Nature Reserve next day , but Coprinus radians and C. trun corum were positively identified . M.e. Clark and M. Rotheroe Yorkshire Naturalists' Union , Mycological Section, Spring Foray, 1975. The Spring Foray was held in the Pickering area, from the 29th May - 2nd June . Pickering is the home ground of Mr W.G. Bramley , and we were especially fortunate to be under his invaluable leadership throughout . The morning of the first day was held at the site of the Roman Camps at Cawthorne, and species of interest included Dermea ariae on Sorb us and Nectria viridescens. On the second day , the main party went to Gundale, while those interested in lichenology went to Goathland. At Gundale, Crucibulum vulgare was among the pleasing finds, while at Goathland, the lichen Sphaerophorus globosus took pride of place. On Sunday we visited Park Gates, Pickering, and several members collected specimens of Tricholoma gambosum. Less appetizing, but none the less interesting, were Fo mes fomentarius on Betula, Puccinia sessilis on Arum, Disciotis venosa and Biatorella resinae. Autumn Foray, 1975. This foray was based at Ingleton from the 26th - 29th September. We were particularly fortunate in having excellent workroom facilities at the Ingleborough Community Centre. The first two days were spent in woodlands around Ingleton. Fistulina hepatica was seen in considerable quantity during the first day in Lenny Wood, and Mycena pteridicola, Cyathopodia macropus and Scutellinia asperior kept interest alive, despite driving rain , on the morning of the second day along Kingsdale Beck. Fortunately, by the afternoon, the rain had abated and enthusiasm increased with such finds as Amanita phallo ides (an uncommon fungus in Yorkshire) and Lactarius chrysorheus at Beazley. By far the most productive day in terms of numbers of species, was the Sunday walk along Clapham Beck. Among the many interesting species were Hygrophorus chrysaspis and H. d ichrous, very fine specimens of Ramaria aurea, and Oudemansiella mucida in quantity. Among the Ascomycetes found were fine specimens of Otidea alutacea, O. bufonia and Helvella lacunasa . A full report of both these forays will be published in the 'Naturalist'. In 1976, the two forays are planned to be held at Ingleton (6 - 10th May) and at Sandsend (9 - 13th Sept.). Details are available from Mr P.M. Earland-Bennett, Bankfield Museum, Boothtown Road , Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX36HG. P.M. Earland-Bennett Mycological Society of France : Activities in 1975. The number of members, amateur naturalists, never ceases to increase and, according to our custom, we held more than 100 mycological excursions between March and December, from Saturday afternoons to Sundays. The weekly demonstrations on the following Monday afternoons made possible the study of a great number of species , especially the most interesting ones . The initiation meetings and the courses of practical work with the microscope have had the same success, and this year, at the request of our provincial members, we have organised a period of 5 days at the beginning of the academic vacation instead of the weekly meet ings. These proceedings being recorded on tape , all our members could have the benefit at moderate cost.
15 In Spring we profited by having a free stand at the Paris Fair, in the section for 'Science-amateurs' and participating in a meeting for young people, of which a large part concerned mycology. . Our big annual Conference was led by Dr Roger Cailleux, and was concerned with the culture of 'wild ' fungi, particularly in Japan and the Far East. This aroused great interest in all our members. In September at the end of the academic vacation (Black Monday!) a mycological trip was held in the French Jura at Pontarlier; as at the Annual Congress, this year at Chalon-sur-Saone, many fungi were found by more than 120 participants." Finally our annual Exposition on the first Sunday of October at The Faculty of Pharmacy in Paris had a record number of visitors. Thanks to this, and to our presence in the Salon of Fungi at the Natural History Museum of Paris we have attracted a large number of members, which shows how the French begin to follow the happy example of their English colleagues in taking a growing interest in natural science . Then, significantly, on September 20th and 21st, the mycologists of the North American Mycological Association completed in France a european journey which had taken them from Scotland to Paris through Germany and Switzerland; the Mycological Society of France profited by the joint excursions in the forests of Cornpiene and of Hez-Froidment (Oise) . Our visitors were enchante as much by the cordiality of their welcome as the beauty of the sites and the harvests they found there . H. Rornagnesi MORE PREHISTORIC MYCOLOGY. Roy Watling sends another note, see Bulletin 9,2 112-114, Calvatia utriformia (= C. caelata) is found in Britain from early summer into autumn , in pastures and on heaths, and sometimes in woods; it is probably commoner northwards. It is recognised when old by the net-like markings on the outer wall, and the endoperidium breaking away to finally leave a sterile base composed of large cells and surmounted by a raggy rim to form an 'object' also sent for identification from the Vindalanda excavations. Although showing the original outline t he single specimen is squashed and is covered in soil detritus including diatoms. However by carefully folding back the lip of the goblet a few basidiospores were found which matched recent material of this puffball. FUNGUS RECORDS. Tremiscus helvelloides; further to the note in Bulletin 9,2. a note in Habitat 10, 11, Nov. 1974 states that it was found 'in St Gwynno's forest Llanwonno during a foray organised by the British Mycological Society'. M.N. Is not that a round-about way to get a record? ERGOT TOXICITY it is reported from Finland that, of 600 migraine patients there were 43 who had used ergotamine to excess and 20 had symptoms and signs compatible with ergotism, peripheral vascular disturbance i.e, the first stages of gangrenism. MYCOLOGY IN CONCRETE. A ' mushroom' 9 ft high with a cap 8 ft in diameter has arisen in Glenrothes, Scotland, the work of the town artist who is quoted as saying 'The main aim of the mushroom is to create an interesting addition to the visual environment. Because of its size, people can also shelter under it if it rains' .
B.M.S. Spring Foray May 13-18 1976 is to be held at PIas Tanybwlch, Maentwrog, Snowdonia National Park. This study centre is a man sion house set in its own grounds , with comfortable accommodation , laboratory space, library, bar and lounge and as if that were not enough, its own railway station on one of the famous little train services of Wales. Dr. F. KOTLABA is to be our Guest of Honour at the autumn foray this year in the Isle of Man and we are glad to have this biographical note from Roy Watling. It might also be noted that Peter Holland recently picked up one of Dr Kotlaba's papers in Ceska Mykologie on 'Two rare quercicolous xanthochroic polypores in Czechoslovakia', abstract in Bulletin 8. 2 p.83.
Frantisek Kotlaba , a member of the staff at the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague is probably known to some of the Society's members through his attendance at the Third European Mycological Congress held in Glasgow in 1963. At that meeting Dr Kotlaba gave a progress report on the /European Mapping Scheme in which he made an appeal to the Soviet mycologists to play an active role in the Scheme ; he was a member of the Steering Committee for the Mapping Scheme, the results of the first fifty selected species having been published recently. Or Kotlaba is an active correspondent with many mycologists outside Czechoslovakia with an interest in many aspe cts of the study of larger fungi, particularly Basidiomycetes. He has published on agaric and polypore groups, particularly on their ecology and distribution. One of his most recent contributions in fact is on the geographical distribution and ecology of Phellinus torulas us appearing in the journal Ceska Mycologie . He is on the editorial board of this journal and is a regular contributor; his photographs frequently appear and show his aptitude for photography. Dr Kotlaba has solved in the past several rather tricky nomenc1atorial problems ; he frequently coauthors with his colleague Z. Pouzar. R. Watling REPORTS OF FORAYS from 'OTHER SOCIETIES'. We much appreciate having accounts of the forays and findings of kindred Societies for publication in the Bulletin. Peter Holland has kindly agreed to look after this and I expect many of our regular contributors will already be in touch with him. Secretaries or recorders of societies who have perhaps not contributed recently are cordially invited to write him at 28 , Hetherington Road, Clapham, London SW4 7NU. This is a great help in getting the Bulletin ready especially when , as is usually the case , your Editor is pushed for time. M.N. REPORTS FROM OTHER SOCIETIES AND ORGANISATIONS Bridgnorth (Shropshire) British Naturalists' Association, 11 October 1975. The party visited a picturesque rocky Bluff forming a promontory of the Keuper Sandstone escarpment known as Nessc1iff between Shrewsbury and Oswestry, the thickly wooded slopes of which have many mature oaks and beeches amongst it s deciduous trees, and many fine specimens of Scots Pine in addition to other con ifers. Unfortunately, the site was very dry, perhaps not surprisingly for a sh arply elevated sandstone knoll, and only 41 species were listed. While no rare species were recorded , the fine and ch aracteristic colour of a number of perfect specimens of My cena pura was much admired and similar interest was evoked at the colourful display provided by an unusually large tuft of Flammulina velu tipes and a large cut pine stump brightly decorated with masses of Chondrostereum purpureum. E. Blackwell.
11 Forays in Hampshire, Autumn 1975. On September 28th, the Bournemouth branch of the B.N.A. held its Annual Foray in Gritnam Wood, near Lyndhurst. This area of ancient and ornamental woodland is threatened with devastation if a proposed by-pass of Lyndhurst is built. It is not an area known to be especially rich in fungi by New Forest standards, but, while no rarities were found, it contained a large proportion of the species one expects to find in such woods, due to the large number of fallen trees. Its loss would mean the loss of one of the dwindling number of substantial areas of good old woodland in the Forest. A combined foray for the Hants Field Oub, the Hants and I.O.W. Naturalists Trust, the Southampton Natural History Society and the Alton Natural History Society was held at Charlwood, South of Alton, on October 11tho Some 90 people attended, as word had got round that fungi were plentiful: most were newcomers to mycology, so I had a hectic day identifying and demonstrating the commoner species, with little time to collect the unusual. In spite of the dry weather in the summer, a good selection of beechwood species was obtained from the slopes, with birchwood species from the top where the chalk was overlain with drift. A University Extramural Foray on October 12th in Rhinefield, near Lyndhurst, also gave an excellent haul. In particular, Cordy ceps capitata on Elaphomy ces was found, and one participant brought along a specimen of Rhodotus palmatus, an uncommon and striking species, which was abundant on elm logs at Twyford, near Winchester, but possibly a new Hampshire record. A foray for the New Milton Community Association on October 18th yielded the usual good species list from Denny Wood, near Lyndhurst. Hydnum erinaceum, which occurs there on an old beech tree, but does not fruit every year, was producing a particularly fine fruit body. J.G. Manners Hertfordshire Natural History Society. The first foray of the 1975 season was held jointly with the BMS at Frithsden Beeches on 28th September. Ninety years of fungus collecting at Bricket Wood was celebrated on 19th October by a well-attended foray led by Dr Joan Moore. Fungi were abundant and with a dozen children helping to collect baskets were soon full. More .than 120 species were found, several of which were new for the area and others that had not been recorded there since 1891. Species of Lactarius were particularly common but there were comparatively few Russulas. Enormous specimens of Leccinum quercinum, a speciality of the wood, were collected in addition to the commoner birch species of Leccinum. Among other more noteworthy finds were several large species of Cortinarius including C. delibutus and C. trivialis. Coprinus extinctorius found in a hollow of a rotten stump was a new record for Hertfordshire. Margaret Holden London Natural History Society. The Society's only foray this year was held on 4th October in Epping Forest. An oak tree just opposite the Wake Arms with a grand crop of Fistulina hepatica got the foray off to a good start. No great rarities were detected, but the party was interested to see Boletus parasiticus and Schizophyllum commune among the 38 or so species recorded for the afternoon. P.C.H. Mid-Staffs Field Club, joint meeting with Staffordshire Nature Conservation Trust,4 October 1975. A foray was held at the RSPB Nature Reserve at Coombes Valley, near Leek, North Staffs, a site of approximately 260 acres, consisting of
12 a deep thickly wooded valley and river. In order to visit a representative range of habitats it was necessary to maintain a fairly rapid pace without frequent opportunities for browsing, but nevertheless, such was the abundance of fungi that 64 species were named for the provisional list. Although nothing of rarity was found, the Reserve would repay further study at a more leisurely rate of progress and holds out promise of interesting future records. Thanks are due to Mr Maurice Waterhouse, Warden, for devoting his time guiding the party around this extensive and interesting area. E. Blackwell Reading and District Natural History Society. The Reading and District Natural History Society held two Fungus Forays in 1975. A party led by Mr Ted Green searched part of Windsor Forest on 4th October. Some 50 species were identified. On 18th October, about 40 members and friends visited Wasing Wood near Aldermaston, Berks, under the leadership of Dr F.B. Hora, who identified 70 species including Cortinarius mucifluus sensu J. Lange. A list of the species recorded at Wasing Wood will appear in No.28 of the Reading Naturalist, along with a note by Dr Hora on the last-named species. Leonie E. Cobb Salisbury & District Natural History Society. 1975 has been a very disappointing year for fungi in our area (we cover South Wilts and the New Forest north of the A31), due to the almost complete absence of rain. Our first foray on September 7th came on the heels of that glorious summer and. fungi were in very short supply. Only 36 species could be found by almost as many searchers on a twohour foray, and as one might expect, most of those were on or connected to wood. The only species of any note was a solitary Boletus nigrescens. A month later and in a marshy wood the number of species rose to a more normal figure, yet one could still feel the effect of water shortage in the number of actual fruit-bodies seen. Here, too, wood proved to be the best substrate and one fallen trunk seemed to be covered with myxornycetes in all stages. This was our best foray of the year and soon afterwards the number of species to be found fell off sharply. By the end of October it was hard to find thirty species in an afternoon . Perhaps it is just a coincidence, but I have not seen Phallus impudicus since June , yet Poronia punctata was abundant at one spot in mid-September. Ted Gange The South London Botanical Institute. The Institute's annual foray was held on 27th September at Tilburstow Hill, Surrey. Strong wind and heavy rain made collecting difficult. Some splendid specimens of Amanita phalloides were observed and passed by, as we were by then being led to tea at the home of Sir David Burnett, our host and leader. The final list came to 32 species. P.C.H. The Warwickshire Fungus Survey. Early collecting in 1975 was disappointing because of the extremely dry, hot conditions. Fortunately the latter part of the season was remarkably rewarding both in the vast quantities of fruit bodies encountered and in the number of new or unusual county records. Amanita, Agaricus, I.actarius and Psathyrella species were particularly prolific, as were examples of the Rhodophyllaceae. The abundance of white Clitocybe species , of l/ebelomas and of the Telamonia section of Cortinarius was rather frustrating and re-emphasised the need for satisfactory, up-to-date keys of these groups. The False Chanterelle, Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, seemed to be everywhere and its var. pallida appeared to be equally common.
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The first foray, to Knavenhill Wood on April 27, yielded Coprinus aeuminatus, C. domestieus and C. truneorum, but little else of note apart, perhaps, from Resupinatus applieatus. Agarics were sparse at Edge Hill on June 29th but there were some interesting discomycetes - Haglundia perelegans, Psilopezia babingtonii, and Trichophaea eretea. A myxomycete was determined by Bruce lng as Didymium ochroideum, a species new to Europe. At Heath Wood, Maxstoke, on July 27 fungi parasitic on insects were a notable feature. Cordyeeps militaris and C. [orquignoni were recorded and also Melanospora parasitiea which, although not directly an insect parasite itself, is a hyper-parasite on a fungus which is - .namely the mould, Paecilomy ces farinosus. The latter is recorded on most forays, but the hyper-parasite seldom. Agarics included Coprinus rhombisporus and another, as yet unidentified, member of the Herbicolae section. Find of the day at Weethley Wood on August 24th was a My cena new to our lists, M. integrella. Other agarics included Clitopilus hobsonii, Coprinus cortinatus and Russula pectinata. A discornycete encountered only once before in the county, Protocrea farinosa, was also noted. Its "classmate", Torrendiella ciliata, which grows on dead bramble leaves and was first recorded as British only in 1974, was fruiting in abundance. This latter fungus was also found at Chesterton Wood on September 21st. Here, also, were Coprinus species aplenty, among them C. cortinatus, C. leiocephalus and C. xantholepsis - identified by Roy Watling and believed to be only the second collection of this newly-described Orton species. Collecting was excellent at All Oaks W(;od on October 5th. New to our lists was Ino cybe lucifuga var. hirtella, while other agarics of interest were Boletus porosporus, Conocybe rickeniana, Crepidotus phillipsii, Flocculina ferruginea, My cena pterigena and Russula odorata. A beautiful golden-yellow discomycete on dead beech leaves was determined as a species known in America on Acer leaves, Dasyscyphus acerinus. This brings the number of distinct Dasyscyphus species recorded in our survey up to 40. Hirneola auricula was seen on beech, rather an unusual host. An impromptu foray to Berricote Wood on October 12th yielded Coprinus trisporus on what appeared to be fox dung. Our annual beginners' foray was at Sutton Park on October 19th and was rewarded with a fine example of Sparassis crispa - only our second record of this species. New to our lists was Tricholoma inamoenum and among other agarics found were Collybia ambusta (= Tephrocybe gibberosa), Cortinarius (Telamonia) hemitrichus and rigidus, and Pholiota alnicola on Rowan. Discomycetes included Trichophaea hemisphaeroides on the site of a bonfire and Sepultaria arenosa on a railway embankment largely consisting of old furnace. ashes. This is normally a species of sand dunes but was seen in this same locality on a previous occasion and is known from two other sites in the county in old quarries. The grounds of Hams Hall Power Station were the unusual setting for an informal foray on October 26th, when the chief interest centred on a fine specimen of Stropharia coronilla. Derek Reid lectured at a polypore weekend at Birmingham University on November l Sth and 16th and two forays were held in connection with this event. Naturally the list of aphyllophorales was a large one and some of the finds were interesting enough to be whisked off to Kew for further examination. The first site, Earlswood, brought a new agaric record, Conocybe pubescens. Tricholoma cingulatum was growing in troops alongside a railway track and in this spot further material was collected of an Omphalina, yet to be described, which apparently grows on the lichen, Peltigera canina. Cordyceps forquignoni
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turned up again too. Names have yet to be confirmed for many intriguing finds from Edgbaston Park Nature Reserve next day , but Coprinus radians and C. trun corum were positively identified . M.e. Clark and M. Rotheroe Yorkshire Naturalists' Union , Mycological Section, Spring Foray, 1975. The Spring Foray was held in the Pickering area, from the 29th May - 2nd June . Pickering is the home ground of Mr W.G. Bramley , and we were especially fortunate to be under his invaluable leadership throughout . The morning of the first day was held at the site of the Roman Camps at Cawthorne, and species of interest included Dermea ariae on Sorb us and Nectria viridescens. On the second day , the main party went to Gundale, while those interested in lichenology went to Goathland. At Gundale, Crucibulum vulgare was among the pleasing finds, while at Goathland, the lichen Sphaerophorus globosus took pride of place. On Sunday we visited Park Gates, Pickering, and several members collected specimens of Tricholoma gambosum. Less appetizing, but none the less interesting, were Fo mes fomentarius on Betula, Puccinia sessilis on Arum, Disciotis venosa and Biatorella resinae. Autumn Foray, 1975. This foray was based at Ingleton from the 26th - 29th September. We were particularly fortunate in having excellent workroom facilities at the Ingleborough Community Centre. The first two days were spent in woodlands around Ingleton. Fistulina hepatica was seen in considerable quantity during the first day in Lenny Wood, and Mycena pteridicola, Cyathopodia macropus and Scutellinia asperior kept interest alive, despite driving rain , on the morning of the second day along Kingsdale Beck. Fortunately, by the afternoon, the rain had abated and enthusiasm increased with such finds as Amanita phallo ides (an uncommon fungus in Yorkshire) and Lactarius chrysorheus at Beazley. By far the most productive day in terms of numbers of species, was the Sunday walk along Clapham Beck. Among the many interesting species were Hygrophorus chrysaspis and H. d ichrous, very fine specimens of Ramaria aurea, and Oudemansiella mucida in quantity. Among the Ascomycetes found were fine specimens of Otidea alutacea, O. bufonia and Helvella lacunasa . A full report of both these forays will be published in the 'Naturalist'. In 1976, the two forays are planned to be held at Ingleton (6 - 10th May) and at Sandsend (9 - 13th Sept.). Details are available from Mr P.M. Earland-Bennett, Bankfield Museum, Boothtown Road , Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX36HG. P.M. Earland-Bennett Mycological Society of France : Activities in 1975. The number of members, amateur naturalists, never ceases to increase and, according to our custom, we held more than 100 mycological excursions between March and December, from Saturday afternoons to Sundays. The weekly demonstrations on the following Monday afternoons made possible the study of a great number of species , especially the most interesting ones . The initiation meetings and the courses of practical work with the microscope have had the same success, and this year, at the request of our provincial members, we have organised a period of 5 days at the beginning of the academic vacation instead of the weekly meet ings. These proceedings being recorded on tape , all our members could have the benefit at moderate cost.
15 In Spring we profited by having a free stand at the Paris Fair, in the section for 'Science-amateurs' and participating in a meeting for young people, of which a large part concerned mycology. . Our big annual Conference was led by Dr Roger Cailleux, and was concerned with the culture of 'wild ' fungi, particularly in Japan and the Far East. This aroused great interest in all our members. In September at the end of the academic vacation (Black Monday!) a mycological trip was held in the French Jura at Pontarlier; as at the Annual Congress, this year at Chalon-sur-Saone, many fungi were found by more than 120 participants." Finally our annual Exposition on the first Sunday of October at The Faculty of Pharmacy in Paris had a record number of visitors. Thanks to this, and to our presence in the Salon of Fungi at the Natural History Museum of Paris we have attracted a large number of members, which shows how the French begin to follow the happy example of their English colleagues in taking a growing interest in natural science . Then, significantly, on September 20th and 21st, the mycologists of the North American Mycological Association completed in France a european journey which had taken them from Scotland to Paris through Germany and Switzerland; the Mycological Society of France profited by the joint excursions in the forests of Cornpiene and of Hez-Froidment (Oise) . Our visitors were enchante as much by the cordiality of their welcome as the beauty of the sites and the harvests they found there . H. Rornagnesi MORE PREHISTORIC MYCOLOGY. Roy Watling sends another note, see Bulletin 9,2 112-114, Calvatia utriformia (= C. caelata) is found in Britain from early summer into autumn , in pastures and on heaths, and sometimes in woods; it is probably commoner northwards. It is recognised when old by the net-like markings on the outer wall, and the endoperidium breaking away to finally leave a sterile base composed of large cells and surmounted by a raggy rim to form an 'object' also sent for identification from the Vindalanda excavations. Although showing the original outline t he single specimen is squashed and is covered in soil detritus including diatoms. However by carefully folding back the lip of the goblet a few basidiospores were found which matched recent material of this puffball. FUNGUS RECORDS. Tremiscus helvelloides; further to the note in Bulletin 9,2. a note in Habitat 10, 11, Nov. 1974 states that it was found 'in St Gwynno's forest Llanwonno during a foray organised by the British Mycological Society'. M.N. Is not that a round-about way to get a record? ERGOT TOXICITY it is reported from Finland that, of 600 migraine patients there were 43 who had used ergotamine to excess and 20 had symptoms and signs compatible with ergotism, peripheral vascular disturbance i.e, the first stages of gangrenism. MYCOLOGY IN CONCRETE. A ' mushroom' 9 ft high with a cap 8 ft in diameter has arisen in Glenrothes, Scotland, the work of the town artist who is quoted as saying 'The main aim of the mushroom is to create an interesting addition to the visual environment. Because of its size, people can also shelter under it if it rains' .