232 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
injured, the bivalves with both shells united. But scientifically valuable as it is,
the Walton Crag will not last long to gladden the eyes of local geologists—
denudation is constant and resistless, and every year's winds, rains, and tides
make sad inroads on the precious fragment (now less than a quarter of a mile in
extent) still remaining in its place. Lastly, the lecturer summed up by showing
how in that very cliff there were no fewer than four different geological forma-
tions deposited in four different periods of geological time, the lowest of which
was accumulated when a tropical climate like that of the Malayan Archipelago
existed in Great Britain, and the uppermost when a rigorous cold like that of
Greenland and Spitzbergen characterised the climate of these latitudes. The story
of how the crags of East Anglia—Coraline, Red, Norwich, and Chillesford—showed
the gradual and slow swing of the pendulum of change from warm temperature to
arctic conditions, was told once more, and the lecturer concluded an address
which had been listened to very intently, not only by the members of the Club
beneath, but by the visitors who had gathered on the cliffs above, amidst much
applause.
After the lecturer had replied to some questions, a very hearty vote of thanks
was passed to him on the proposal of the President. Some time was spent in
searching for Crag shells, and the party then proceeded to the site of a "Red-
hill," near Stone Point, described by Dr. Laver in the Essex Naturalist for
1888 (vol. ii. p. 187).
By the kindness of Mr. E. C. Browne, the members had an opportunity
of examining the very fine collection of Crag fossils, which he and Mrs. Browne
had gathered together as the result of many years of patient research. Mr.
Browne's specimens are in the most perfect condition, and were greatly admired
by the members.
Mr. Shenstone reported that the plants noted in the neighbourhood of Walton
and Stoney Point were comparatively uninteresting. The only plant worthy of
mention at Walton was Oenanthe lachenalii, Gmel, which was rather common
in marsh dykes.
Tea was taken at Dorling's Hotel, some of the members leaving by the evening
train, while others remained at Walton. During the time the Handford or Back
Water was crossed, and a visit paid to Horsey Island and to Pewit Island, where
Statice bahusiensis, Fries. was gathered, and several interesting species of marine
mollusca were found.
The 10th Annual Cryptogamic and Botanical Meeting.
Friday and Saturday, September 27th and 28th, 1889.
The annual fungus-hunting party assembled on the above clays, our botanical
leaders being Dr. M. C Cooke, Mr. George Massee, F.R.M.S., Prof. Boulger,
F.L.S., Mr. J. T. Powell, Mr. Robert Paulson, and others, including Mr. W.
Stewart, of the Scottish Cryptogamic Society.
The Hackney Microscopical Society held their "Foray" in the Forest a fort-
night previously, on September 14th, and it will be interesting to give Dr. Cooke's
summary of the proceedings, which we extract from "Grevillea" for December :—
"Fungus-hunters, like farmers, are privileged to grumble at the weather, and this
year the traditional grumble was indulged in ; for however fine and enjoyable the
day might be, the ground was so dry and hard that the fungi had no chance.
Somehow or other the past two or three years have been so exceptional as regards