THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
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complete and revised list of the larger fungi of Essex has already been prepared,
and it is hoped will soon be published, and in the hands of the members.
Mr. J. T. Powell read a paper on "The Existing Flowering Plants of Epping
Forest," which was illustrated by the series of forest species from his herbarium
already referred to. In the course of his remarks Mr. Powell referred in severe
and feeling terms to the totally unnecessary drainage which was being carried
on in parts of the forest, and which bade fair to exterminate some of the most
interesting plants in the district.
Mr. Paulson made some remarks on the Carices of the forest, and promised to
furnish a list of the species for publication.
Discussion on the various points of interest in the papers and exhibits was carried
on by the President, Dr. Cooke, Mr. Powell, Mr. White, Prof. Boulger, Mr. F. W.
Elliott, and Mr. W. Cole, the two latter strongly condemning the system of
drainage at present pursued in the forest, as being likely to produce the greatest
injury to the flora and fauna of the forest.
It was suggested that the Council should address a remonstrance to the Forest
Authorities on these points,
Hearty votes of thanks were accorded to all who had taken part in the work of
the meeting, to the readers of papers, and more particularly to Dr. Cooke and Mr.
Massie for their valuable help.
The remainder of the evening was spent in examining the various exhibits on
the tables.
Saturday, November 2nd, 1890.
The 108th Ordinary Meeting was held at the Loughton Public Hall at
7 o'clock, Professor R. Meldola, F.R.S. (Vice-President), in the chair, who alluded
to the cause of Mr. Fitch's absence in the recent destructive fire on one of his
farms, and said he was sure all the members sympathised with the President in his
misfortune, and deeply regretted his absence from such a cause.
Mr. E. Pearl, M.R.C.S., was elected a member.
Mr. A. P. Wire exhibited a number of flints found in the gravel in Grove Green
Lane, at Leyton, at a depth of about 6 feet. Amongst these flints were three very
good specimens in the fashion of spear-heads roughly chipped and belonging
undoubtedly to the Palaeolithic type. The largest of these was 6 inches long by
31/2 inches wide, and the other two 31/4 inches and 3 inches long by 21/4 inches wide
respectively.
Mr. Wire also exhibited a piece of fossil wood from the railway cutting at
Theydon Bois. It was from the London Clay, and was crowded with fossil teredos
or ship worms.
Mr. White exhibited a piece of amber containing a very large number of
Diptera, &c., embedded in its substance.
Mr. Cole exhibited a very curious natural stone, found by Mr. B. G. Cole, near
Leigh, which simulated in a remarkable manner an artificially chipped celt. Mr.
Worthington Smith said that he had more than once found similar stones, and that
he regarded them as undoubtedly natural forms.
Mr. W. White then gave his report, as Delegate of the Club to the Conference
of Local Scientific Societies at the Newcastle-on-Tyne meeting of the British
Association, and entered into full details of the results of the Conference, and as
to the proposals put forward. [These reports will be summarised in a future part
of the Essex Naturalist.]
A long discussion on the various subjects brought forward was carried on by
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