The Centenary of the British Mycological SocietyAuthor(s): M. J. P. ScannellSource: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 25, No. 8 (Oct., 1996), p. 308Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25536051 .

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308 //: Nat. J. Vol. 25 No. 8 1996

its archives were maintained to the highest standard by its small staff. The Minister did not find it

surprising that the Museum attracted a quarter of a million visitors each year and is one of the most

popular tourist attractions in the country. Concluding, Mr Higgins stated thai as the Museum

embarks on its third century, he was confident that it can build on the great work already completed and that he wished it well in its endeavours in the coming years.

Dr Wallace thanked the Minister and called on the Senior Officer of the Natural History Museum, Dr J. P. O'Connor, to say a few words on behalf of the National Museum. Dr Wallace then

presented Mr Higgins with a beautifully bound copy of the book The Natural History Museum by the former Keeper, Dr C. E. O'Riordan, to mark the occasion.

J. P. O'CONNOR

THE CENTENARY OF THE BRITISH MYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY

The British Mycological Society (BMS) celebrated its centenary in 1996. In London the event

was marked in London with Fungus 100 ? Grand Centenary Exhibition. This demonstration

showed 'Mycology in all its aspects laid out on tables' . , . 'the fruiting bodies . . . constantly

refreshed' by volunteer attendants, and accompanied by talks, an identification service for the public, videos and films. The Centenary Autumn Foray was held at Huddersfield, Yorkshire near to where

the decision to form the Society was made. There were other events, forays throughout the season in

numerous locations, including one in Belvoir Park, Belfast, and a joint meeting at Belfort with the

Societe Mycologique de France.

The BMS has been associated with Ireland for almost a century. The second annual meeting of

the Society was held in Dublin from 19-24 September 1898. Dr R. LI. Praeger, President of the

Dublin Naturalists Field Club, acted as Chairman and he was supported by Dr C. B. Plowright

representing the President of the Society, Dr George Massee (Kew). Field trips were made to Lucan,

Brackenstown, Avoca, Powerscourt and Dunran Glen. In the evening specimens were named in the

laboratory of the Royal College of Science (now Government Buildings) and there were visits to the

herbarium, then in the Science and Art Museum, Kildare Street. The event was fully reported in The

Irish Naturalist. The editors, G. H. Carpenter and R. LI. Praeger recorded that the week was

characterized by "hard work" and there were "160 additions to the fungus flora of Dublin and

Wicklow" (Anon. 1898 //: Nat. 7: 267-268.).

In the intervening years the Society has visited many centres in Ireland: Belfast, Dublin,

Killarney and, in 1980, Roscrea (Organizer Dr John Feehan). The foray covered several counties,

working ground, at Emo Court, Birr, Charleville, Coole, Slieve Bloom, Fanore dunes, Dingle, Muckross, Clonmacnoise and many other locations. Dr Bruce Ing made a full list of some 2000

species, many new to the midlands and some new to Ireland, one of which Collyhia racemosa (Pers. ex Fr.) Quel, was found under beech on the Slieve Bloom Mountains.

The Irish Naturalists' Journal acclaims the achievements of the British Mycological Society in

the year of its Centenary. The contribution by the Society to Institutes and individuals in Ireland is

considerable. The support given to mycologists in Ireland is probably best stated by A. E. Muskett

(1900-1984), plant pathologist in the service of DANI: 'The role of the British Mycological Society in ministering uncomplainingly to the needs of systematic mycology in Ireland must not be

overlooked" (Muskett A. E. 1976 Proc. R. In Acad. 76B: 393).

M. J. P. SCANNELL

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