Field Meetings 1922
Raby Mere SATURDAY, 25th MARCH 1922. Leaders—Mr J. A. Wheldon and Dr W. A. Lee.
From New Ferry the party walked through Bebington village and Poulton Lancelyn to Raby Mere. By kind permission of H. F. Fernie, Esq., the woods bordering the Mere were examined. The weather conditions were good, but it was found that the season was exceptionally late and, but few vernal flowers were in evidence. The bryologists found Bryum murale on a wall at Poulton Lancelyn, Polytrichum formosum and some of the commoner hepatics. The lichens Buellia canescens, Parmelia saxatilis, Lecanora dispersa and Lecanora citrina were found on walls, and Parmelia physodes, Cladonia flabelliformis and C. macilenta were also seen. The orange-coloured gelatinous patches of the discomycete, Cylindrocolla urticae Bon., were observed on decaying nettle stems, and Uromyces poae was noted on Ranunculus ficaria.
Gresford SATURDAY, 29th APRIL 1922. Leader—Miss H. Jackson, B.Sc.
Skelmersdale and Orrell SATURDAY, 20th MAY 1922, Joint meeting with the Liverpool Geological Society. Leader—Mr C. H. Cox, B.Sc.
The party journeyed to Skelmersdale, and then walked to Orrell. Botanically, not much of interest was observed, the flora being typical of the Coal-Measure sandstone of the district. By the hospitality of the leader, tea was taken at Upholland Grammar School.
Kirkby and Simmonswood SATURDAY, 27th MAY 1922. Leaders—Mr W. G. Travis and Mr J. A. Wheldon.
Ellesmere Port and Capenhurst SATURDAY, 10th JUNE 1922. Joint meeting with the Liverpool Naturalists’ Field Club.
Ince and Elton SATURDAY, 24th JUNE 1922. Leader—Dr W. A. Lee.
The quaint village of Ince is rich in historical associations and relics. The party visited the Church and had the benefit of an excellent historical survey by the Rev. F. G. Slater, M.A. An inspection of the remains of the monastic buildings was made and the party, by the courtesy of Mrs Park Yates, then made a tour of the Ince Hall gardens and grounds, which were of exceptional beauty, and yielded many items of botanical interest. An exploration of the heathland adjoining the Ship Canal, the Greenway, and Marsh Lane completed the expedition. Among the species gathered were Campanula latifolia L., Cornus sanguinea L., Humulus lupulus L., Valeriana dioica L., Centranthus ruber DC, (in masses of colour on sandstone rock), Lemna trisulca L., L. polyrhiza L., and Asplenium ruta-muraria L. The bryophytic gatherings were not numerous, and there is evidence of the prejudicial effect of smoke. The following mosses were noted :--Dicranoweisia cirrata Lindb. (on bark), Leptobryum pyriforme Wils., Rhacomitrium fasciculare Brid. (stunted specimens), Webera proligera Bryhn, Bryum argenteum, var. lanatum B. & S., Aulacomnium androgynum Schwaeg., Barbula fallax Hedw., B. convulata Hedw., and Mnium rostratum Schrad.
Thurstaston Common and Dawpool SATURDAY, 22nd JULY 1922. Leader—Miss A, Lee, L.L.A
On arrival at Irby, an Inspection was made of Irby Hall. This survival from the 16th century is one of the four fortified manor houses of the Abbey of St. Werburgh, of Chester, and is therefore connected with the monastic foundation at Ince, visited by the Society in the preceding month. The house has a timber and plaster front, and the moat and bank have been maintained remarkably well. On sycamore here the following lichens were found, namely, Opegrapha herpetica, O.atra, var. denigrata Buellia myriocarpa, Lecanora chlarona and L. effusa, all, except B. myriocarpa, being additions to the published lichen-list of the district. Sedum acre was noted on walls at Irby, and the moss, Grimmea stirtoni, on sandstone walls near the village. On Thurstaston Common, Listera ovata, Scutellaria minor and Gentiana pneumonanthe were found. Hypericum pulchrum and Agrimonia eupatoria were observed. Scirpus caespitosus and Juncus squarrosus were well in evidence, and the Droseras,” D. rotundifolia and intermedia occurred in some of the damper hollows. Carex binervis was noted in one spot. On the north-western slopes of the hill the Rosebay, Epilobium angustifolium, occurred in extraordinary abundance and luxuriance. In the evening, the atmosphere was unusually transparent, and extensive views were obtained from the crest of the hill. To the north, a long stretch of the Lancashire coast and Blackpool Tower were clearly seen, and in the far distance the Cumberland hills, including Black Coombe.
Arrowe Park SATURDAY 26th AUGUST 1922. Leader—Mr H. S. Marsh
By the courtesy of Mr Stewart Johnston, a field-meeting was held in Arrowe Park. Perhaps the most interesting discovery of the day was Epipactis latifolia All., a rare species in Wirral. Among other phanerogams observed were Arenaria trinervia L., the alien Arenaria balearica L. (on a wall), Caucalis anthriscus Huds., Scrophularia nodosa Li. and Lemna trisulca L. The discomycetes, Lachnea scutellata (on moss on a tree stump) and Dasycypha leuconica (on dead fir cones) were noted. Xylaria hypoxylon Grev. was common on dead stumps. The plasmodium of a myxomycete, found on moss, developed sporangia, and proved to be Stemonites flavogenita. The following pyrenomycetes were also reported: --Erysibe communis, parasitic on leaves of the marsh-marigold, Melanomma pulvis-pyreus, on dead wood, and Ophiobolus porphyrogonus on decaying herbaceous stems. One representative of the puffballs, Lycoperdon pyriforme Schaef., was seen.
Little Crosby and Ince Blundell SATURDAY, 23rd SEPTEMBER 1922. Leader—Mr Bell.
Raby Mere SATURDAY, 25th MARCH 1922. Leaders—Mr J. A. Wheldon and Dr W. A. Lee.
From New Ferry the party walked through Bebington village and Poulton Lancelyn to Raby Mere. By kind permission of H. F. Fernie, Esq., the woods bordering the Mere were examined. The weather conditions were good, but it was found that the season was exceptionally late and, but few vernal flowers were in evidence. The bryologists found Bryum murale on a wall at Poulton Lancelyn, Polytrichum formosum and some of the commoner hepatics. The lichens Buellia canescens, Parmelia saxatilis, Lecanora dispersa and Lecanora citrina were found on walls, and Parmelia physodes, Cladonia flabelliformis and C. macilenta were also seen. The orange-coloured gelatinous patches of the discomycete, Cylindrocolla urticae Bon., were observed on decaying nettle stems, and Uromyces poae was noted on Ranunculus ficaria.
Gresford SATURDAY, 29th APRIL 1922. Leader—Miss H. Jackson, B.Sc.
Skelmersdale and Orrell SATURDAY, 20th MAY 1922, Joint meeting with the Liverpool Geological Society. Leader—Mr C. H. Cox, B.Sc.
The party journeyed to Skelmersdale, and then walked to Orrell. Botanically, not much of interest was observed, the flora being typical of the Coal-Measure sandstone of the district. By the hospitality of the leader, tea was taken at Upholland Grammar School.
Kirkby and Simmonswood SATURDAY, 27th MAY 1922. Leaders—Mr W. G. Travis and Mr J. A. Wheldon.
Ellesmere Port and Capenhurst SATURDAY, 10th JUNE 1922. Joint meeting with the Liverpool Naturalists’ Field Club.
Ince and Elton SATURDAY, 24th JUNE 1922. Leader—Dr W. A. Lee.
The quaint village of Ince is rich in historical associations and relics. The party visited the Church and had the benefit of an excellent historical survey by the Rev. F. G. Slater, M.A. An inspection of the remains of the monastic buildings was made and the party, by the courtesy of Mrs Park Yates, then made a tour of the Ince Hall gardens and grounds, which were of exceptional beauty, and yielded many items of botanical interest. An exploration of the heathland adjoining the Ship Canal, the Greenway, and Marsh Lane completed the expedition. Among the species gathered were Campanula latifolia L., Cornus sanguinea L., Humulus lupulus L., Valeriana dioica L., Centranthus ruber DC, (in masses of colour on sandstone rock), Lemna trisulca L., L. polyrhiza L., and Asplenium ruta-muraria L. The bryophytic gatherings were not numerous, and there is evidence of the prejudicial effect of smoke. The following mosses were noted :--Dicranoweisia cirrata Lindb. (on bark), Leptobryum pyriforme Wils., Rhacomitrium fasciculare Brid. (stunted specimens), Webera proligera Bryhn, Bryum argenteum, var. lanatum B. & S., Aulacomnium androgynum Schwaeg., Barbula fallax Hedw., B. convulata Hedw., and Mnium rostratum Schrad.
Thurstaston Common and Dawpool SATURDAY, 22nd JULY 1922. Leader—Miss A, Lee, L.L.A
On arrival at Irby, an Inspection was made of Irby Hall. This survival from the 16th century is one of the four fortified manor houses of the Abbey of St. Werburgh, of Chester, and is therefore connected with the monastic foundation at Ince, visited by the Society in the preceding month. The house has a timber and plaster front, and the moat and bank have been maintained remarkably well. On sycamore here the following lichens were found, namely, Opegrapha herpetica, O.atra, var. denigrata Buellia myriocarpa, Lecanora chlarona and L. effusa, all, except B. myriocarpa, being additions to the published lichen-list of the district. Sedum acre was noted on walls at Irby, and the moss, Grimmea stirtoni, on sandstone walls near the village. On Thurstaston Common, Listera ovata, Scutellaria minor and Gentiana pneumonanthe were found. Hypericum pulchrum and Agrimonia eupatoria were observed. Scirpus caespitosus and Juncus squarrosus were well in evidence, and the Droseras,” D. rotundifolia and intermedia occurred in some of the damper hollows. Carex binervis was noted in one spot. On the north-western slopes of the hill the Rosebay, Epilobium angustifolium, occurred in extraordinary abundance and luxuriance. In the evening, the atmosphere was unusually transparent, and extensive views were obtained from the crest of the hill. To the north, a long stretch of the Lancashire coast and Blackpool Tower were clearly seen, and in the far distance the Cumberland hills, including Black Coombe.
Arrowe Park SATURDAY 26th AUGUST 1922. Leader—Mr H. S. Marsh
By the courtesy of Mr Stewart Johnston, a field-meeting was held in Arrowe Park. Perhaps the most interesting discovery of the day was Epipactis latifolia All., a rare species in Wirral. Among other phanerogams observed were Arenaria trinervia L., the alien Arenaria balearica L. (on a wall), Caucalis anthriscus Huds., Scrophularia nodosa Li. and Lemna trisulca L. The discomycetes, Lachnea scutellata (on moss on a tree stump) and Dasycypha leuconica (on dead fir cones) were noted. Xylaria hypoxylon Grev. was common on dead stumps. The plasmodium of a myxomycete, found on moss, developed sporangia, and proved to be Stemonites flavogenita. The following pyrenomycetes were also reported: --Erysibe communis, parasitic on leaves of the marsh-marigold, Melanomma pulvis-pyreus, on dead wood, and Ophiobolus porphyrogonus on decaying herbaceous stems. One representative of the puffballs, Lycoperdon pyriforme Schaef., was seen.
Little Crosby and Ince Blundell SATURDAY, 23rd SEPTEMBER 1922. Leader—Mr Bell.