FIELD MEETINGS 1912
AINSDALE 27 April 1912. Leader Mr. W. G. Travis.
On arrival it was found to be too early for many of the Phanerogamia (Flowering Plants), and comparatively few flowers were in evidence. A solitary example of Hoary Cress Lepidium draba was found near the station, and several plants of Springbeauty Claytonia perfoliata were seen close by. Other flowering specimens noted were Early Forget-me-not Myosotis ramosissima (= Myosotis collina), the pretty sandhill violet, Heath Dog-violet Viola canina (= V. ericetorum) and Shepherd's Cress Teesdalia nudicaulis. A form of the Whitlow grass was seen, which Mr. J. A. Wheldon considered to be the plant named majuscula by Jordan - Hairy Whitlowgrass Erophila majuscula. A moss found in fruit by Mr. Chesher proved to be Whitish Feather-moss Brachythecium albicans, a frequent plant on the sand dunes, but the capsules are very rarely produced.
Variegated Horsetail Equisetum variegatum, a local arenicolous species, was also seen, and was new to some members. A short address was given by Mr. W. G. Travis on the features of the local vegetation.
MOLLINGTON AND STOKE SATURDAY, 11th MAY 1912. Mr. Haydon.
At Mollington and Stoke, under the guidance of the President. The party were met at the Station by the Rev. J. M. New, who accompanied them to the bounds of his parish, pointing out the various features of natural and archaeological interest. On the route to Stoke the sub-species of the dandelion to which the name erythrospermum has been applied was seen at a sand quarry, and, close by, examples of that uncommon paradox the white, Red Dead nettle. Mr. Haydon called attention to the abundance of forms of Lamium purpureum in this area. Many of these were extremely puzzling and difficult of diagnosis and afforded an excellent study in variation. The canal yielded a number of hygrophilous species including Perfoliate Pondweed Potamogeton perfoliatus, River Water-crowfoot Ranunculus fluitans, Sweet-flag Acorus calamus, and several carices. The elegant-fruited Common Bladder-moss Physcomitrium pyriforme was found in some quantity by Mr. W. Chesher, M.A., and Dr. W. A. Lee. The President pointed out the curious fact that the Goutweed (Ground-elder Aegopodium podagraria) and Greater Celandine Chelidonium majus are invariably associated with cottages. Other records were Galium (Bedstraws), Crosswort Cruciata laevipes, Moschatel Adoxa moschatellina and Green-winged Orchid Anacamptis morio (= Orchis morio).
THURSTASTON. SATURDAY, 8th JUNE 1912. Leader—Miss N. SPEAKMAN.
The chief plants noted were Bloody Crane's-bill Geranium sanguineum, Green Alkanet Pentaglottis sempervirens (= Anchusa sempervirens), Lyme-grass Leymus arenarius (= Elymus arenarius), Dyer's Greenweed Genista tinctoria, Burnet Rose Rosa spinosissima, Hoary Cress Lepidium draba, Upright Clover Trifolium strictum (?), as well as many more characteristic species.
CALDERSTONES PARK. WEDNESDAY, 19th JUNE 1912.
Mr. J. Horton, the superintendent of the Park, kindly undertook the leadership of the party, and drew attention to the very fine trees and numerous floral attractions cultivated in this extensive and interesting enclosure.
SAUGHALL AND BLACON POINT SATURDAY, 29th JUNE 1912. Leaders—Messrs. G. Loftus and H. S. Marsh.
The following species were recorded. Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis (= Orchis pyramidalis), White Bryony Bryonia dioica, Long-stalked Crane's-bill Geranium columbinum, Hairy Tare Ervilia hirsuta (= Vicia hirsuta), Field Penny-cress Thlaspi arvense, Nettle-leaved Bellflower Campanula trachelium, Field Mouse-ear Cerastium arvense, and other more common species.
LLYN HELIG SATURDAY, 13th JULY 1912. Leader—Mr. A. A. Dallman, F.C.S.
The outing took place in conjunction with the Chester Society of Natural Science. The beautiful situation of the lake among the pine woods, six hundred feet above the level of the sea, was much admired. The lake nowhere exceeds six feet in depth and is the haunt of many rare and interesting forms of plant life. The following were recorded. Whorled Clary Salvia verticillata (?), Pillwort Pilularia globulifera, Shoreweed Littorella uniflora, Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis (= Orchis pyramidalis), Pale St John's-wort Hypericum montanum, Rockrose Helianthemum sp., Sea Spurge Euphorbia paralias, Elymus.
LATHOM PARK SEPTEMBER 28th, 1912. Leader—Mr. J. A. WHELDON, F.L.S.
It was intended to make a special study of the fungi on this occasion, but the members were disappointed at the very few species which they were able to find. The broad-stretching grounds were, however, much enjoyed, and some attention was given to the interesting forest trees with which the park is interspersed. Mr. H. J. Wheldon gave a brief address on the study of mushrooms, dividing them into classes, viz.:-—Agarics, with gills. Polypores, with pores underneath, and Polypores with teeth-like spines. The colours of the spores whether white, pink, brown or yellow, were a valuable character in identification. Genera were founded on the presence or absence of the annulus. He then dealt in detail with the various species, and a brief account of their life history concluded a most instructive discourse.
AINSDALE 27 April 1912. Leader Mr. W. G. Travis.
On arrival it was found to be too early for many of the Phanerogamia (Flowering Plants), and comparatively few flowers were in evidence. A solitary example of Hoary Cress Lepidium draba was found near the station, and several plants of Springbeauty Claytonia perfoliata were seen close by. Other flowering specimens noted were Early Forget-me-not Myosotis ramosissima (= Myosotis collina), the pretty sandhill violet, Heath Dog-violet Viola canina (= V. ericetorum) and Shepherd's Cress Teesdalia nudicaulis. A form of the Whitlow grass was seen, which Mr. J. A. Wheldon considered to be the plant named majuscula by Jordan - Hairy Whitlowgrass Erophila majuscula. A moss found in fruit by Mr. Chesher proved to be Whitish Feather-moss Brachythecium albicans, a frequent plant on the sand dunes, but the capsules are very rarely produced.
Variegated Horsetail Equisetum variegatum, a local arenicolous species, was also seen, and was new to some members. A short address was given by Mr. W. G. Travis on the features of the local vegetation.
MOLLINGTON AND STOKE SATURDAY, 11th MAY 1912. Mr. Haydon.
At Mollington and Stoke, under the guidance of the President. The party were met at the Station by the Rev. J. M. New, who accompanied them to the bounds of his parish, pointing out the various features of natural and archaeological interest. On the route to Stoke the sub-species of the dandelion to which the name erythrospermum has been applied was seen at a sand quarry, and, close by, examples of that uncommon paradox the white, Red Dead nettle. Mr. Haydon called attention to the abundance of forms of Lamium purpureum in this area. Many of these were extremely puzzling and difficult of diagnosis and afforded an excellent study in variation. The canal yielded a number of hygrophilous species including Perfoliate Pondweed Potamogeton perfoliatus, River Water-crowfoot Ranunculus fluitans, Sweet-flag Acorus calamus, and several carices. The elegant-fruited Common Bladder-moss Physcomitrium pyriforme was found in some quantity by Mr. W. Chesher, M.A., and Dr. W. A. Lee. The President pointed out the curious fact that the Goutweed (Ground-elder Aegopodium podagraria) and Greater Celandine Chelidonium majus are invariably associated with cottages. Other records were Galium (Bedstraws), Crosswort Cruciata laevipes, Moschatel Adoxa moschatellina and Green-winged Orchid Anacamptis morio (= Orchis morio).
THURSTASTON. SATURDAY, 8th JUNE 1912. Leader—Miss N. SPEAKMAN.
The chief plants noted were Bloody Crane's-bill Geranium sanguineum, Green Alkanet Pentaglottis sempervirens (= Anchusa sempervirens), Lyme-grass Leymus arenarius (= Elymus arenarius), Dyer's Greenweed Genista tinctoria, Burnet Rose Rosa spinosissima, Hoary Cress Lepidium draba, Upright Clover Trifolium strictum (?), as well as many more characteristic species.
CALDERSTONES PARK. WEDNESDAY, 19th JUNE 1912.
Mr. J. Horton, the superintendent of the Park, kindly undertook the leadership of the party, and drew attention to the very fine trees and numerous floral attractions cultivated in this extensive and interesting enclosure.
SAUGHALL AND BLACON POINT SATURDAY, 29th JUNE 1912. Leaders—Messrs. G. Loftus and H. S. Marsh.
The following species were recorded. Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis (= Orchis pyramidalis), White Bryony Bryonia dioica, Long-stalked Crane's-bill Geranium columbinum, Hairy Tare Ervilia hirsuta (= Vicia hirsuta), Field Penny-cress Thlaspi arvense, Nettle-leaved Bellflower Campanula trachelium, Field Mouse-ear Cerastium arvense, and other more common species.
LLYN HELIG SATURDAY, 13th JULY 1912. Leader—Mr. A. A. Dallman, F.C.S.
The outing took place in conjunction with the Chester Society of Natural Science. The beautiful situation of the lake among the pine woods, six hundred feet above the level of the sea, was much admired. The lake nowhere exceeds six feet in depth and is the haunt of many rare and interesting forms of plant life. The following were recorded. Whorled Clary Salvia verticillata (?), Pillwort Pilularia globulifera, Shoreweed Littorella uniflora, Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis (= Orchis pyramidalis), Pale St John's-wort Hypericum montanum, Rockrose Helianthemum sp., Sea Spurge Euphorbia paralias, Elymus.
LATHOM PARK SEPTEMBER 28th, 1912. Leader—Mr. J. A. WHELDON, F.L.S.
It was intended to make a special study of the fungi on this occasion, but the members were disappointed at the very few species which they were able to find. The broad-stretching grounds were, however, much enjoyed, and some attention was given to the interesting forest trees with which the park is interspersed. Mr. H. J. Wheldon gave a brief address on the study of mushrooms, dividing them into classes, viz.:-—Agarics, with gills. Polypores, with pores underneath, and Polypores with teeth-like spines. The colours of the spores whether white, pink, brown or yellow, were a valuable character in identification. Genera were founded on the presence or absence of the annulus. He then dealt in detail with the various species, and a brief account of their life history concluded a most instructive discourse.