BIOLOGY SOCIETY - from Phoenix 68 [published November 1968]

The Biological Society ran a photographic competition, accepting entries from all forms in the school, during the 1967 summer and autumn terms. The low number of entries was very disappointing but the standard was, nonetheless, high. The senior winner was Peter Durrans 5c for a cat study and the junior winner was Ian Rutherford 2a with a picture of a monkey.

On Sunday, 8th October, a trip to Epping Forest was arranged to study fungi. Many different species were collected and brought back to the laboratory. A “Deathcap” and “The Blusher", both of which are poisonous, were found. About forty pupils attended, mainly from the 1st and 2nd forms, with some reinforcement from the 6th form.

Progress In the greenhouse has been slow but steady and much cleaning up has been done. There are now many healthy plants in there, including geraniums, daffodils, variegated ivy, Busy Lizzie and a Venus Flytrap.

All the mice in the laboratory have now been either given away or sold as they were becoming smelly and too numerous, not to mention the disturbances they caused by their constant escapes. The Guinea pig, now 21 years old, has been treated for warts round the mouth. A successful sea water aquarium has been started containing sea anemones, sea urchins, crabs and starfish. A Vivarium is now being set up.

Membership of the XYZ Club has now reached thirty-two but new members are always welcome. Christmas Lectures at the London Zoo, given by such people as Peter Scott, were attended by tenof our pupils. If you are interested in joining the XYZ Club, details can be obtained from me or Miss Woodall.

A series of biological films is being shown in the lunch hour on Fridays. This venture seems fairly successful and films worthy ofnoteare, “The Rival World" and “The Living Bird".

Future plans for the club are still under discussion but there is a possbility of a day trip some time during the summer term.

Hellen Davies

(Secretary)