164
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
Essex known to the authors. The paper will be published in the Essex
Naturalist in due course.
[A long and interesting discussion took place as to the nature and use of these
mysterious mounds in which the President, Dr. Laver, Messrs. W. Cole, White,
Shenstone, Meggy, Joslin, and others took part. The theories that they are the
remains of pottery, salt, or glass works, refuges for cattle during the overflow of
the waters, the terminals of Roman roads, were all passed under review, but it
will perhaps be better to defer printing any opinions or theories until the paper
appears, or more is known of the facts of the subject. It is certainly one well
worthy of the attention of the Club, and we may hope that some further active
effort to solve the problem will be made as soon as possible.—Ed.]
The Secretary read notes from a paper entitled, "Some Essex Well-Sections,
Part II.," by Mr. W. Whitaker, F.R.S. (see ante, pp. 44—54).
Dr. Laver exhibited sectional drawings of two wells made in Colchester during
the last few years, which had been lent by the Corporation. One was the well
that supplies the town with water, and the other the well at the sewage-works for
feeding the steam-engine.
Mr. Shenstone said that one peculiarity of the water from the deep wells in Essex
was that it contained a quantity of free ammonia and chlorides—these substances
were generally regarded by analysts as denoting contamination, but such water
when found in Essex artesian wells is very good and wholesome.
Thanks having been voted to the readers of papers, and to the Conductors and
Exhibitors, the meeting resolved itself into a conversazione, many specimens being
exhibited by Dr. Laver, Mr. Shenstone, Mr. Benham, Mr. Harwood, Mr. Cole,
and others.
[A party of the members remained in the neighbourhood until Monday, and
amongst other interesting spots an inspection was made of the sections of the Red
Crag at Walton-on-Naze, and the site of the Red-hill referred to by Dr. Laver in
his notes in the Essex Naturalist, vol. ii, p. 187.]
Inspection of Portions of Epping Forest, and 101st Ordinary
Meeting, Saturday, April 27th, 1889.
Many descriptions and statements (some of the latter being of a very extreme
character) having recently appeared in the "Evening Post" and other news-
papers, respecting the operations carried on in Epping Forest, and the possible
effects of the thinning of the trees, &c., on the future growth of the woodlands, it
was deemed advisable to afford the members of the Club an opportunity of judg-
ing this matter for themselves, and at the same time of enjoying a pleasant spring
ramble. On the above afternoon, therefore (previous to the Ordinary Meeting in
the evening) a body of the members and friends visited some spots in the forest
where thinnings had recently been made, and also for comparison, some of the
untouched woodlands.
The party (between 40 and 50 in number) assembled near the Snaresbrook
Station, about 3 o'clock, where conveyances were in attendance to allow of a
more extensive detour than otherwise would have been possible. The Verderers,
the Chairman of the Epping Forest Committee, and some other members of that
Committee had been invited, but owing to the unfortunate occurrence of an
official meeting on the day they were unable to be present. The same cause
deprived the meeting of the benefit of Major Mackenzie's guidance and explana-
tions. Letters of regret from these gentlemen were read at the evening meeting.
Among those present who have taken an interest in various questions affecting