THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
107
no conformity in hood or surplice. Ye confession and absolution were read by
Mr. Michaelson, a psalm sung, and to ye sermon. I forbare ye first time to find
fault, not knowing your Lordship's directions about ye combination."
A pleasant walk by the road and fields, along the eastern slope of the valley,
brought the party to Coggeshall.
Prof. Boulger's office as botanical referee was almost a sinecure ; it was too
early in the season for many wild flowers to be out. Dead-nettles, ground-ivy,
sweet violets (common hereabouts) primroses, daisies, buttercups, marsh-marigold
(Caltha) (at Kelvedon, and abundantly near Coggeshall Abbey), Erophila and
abundance of Ranunculus ficaria almost exhaust the list. Arum maculatum had
not yet quite unfolded its spathes, nor were there many leaves on the trees.
Many good elms and a few hollies were noticed, and a good many planted
lindens recalled Ray's remarks on their being planted in his time, and the fact
that, as the favourite tree of William of Orange, Whig sympathisers planted them
even prior to 1688. Ruscus aculeatus was noticed in Kelvedon churchyard, the
foliage of Sedum acre on several walls and roofs, Sempervivum on the out-build-
ings of the "White Hart," Coggeshall, and Spiraea ulmaria in fields near the
Abbey. The Erophila was found in full flower.
Stephen's Bridge. Front "History 0f Coggeshall."
The fine horse-chestnut at the entrance to the town of Coggeshall was only
beginning to unfold its leaf-buds. Eranthis hyemalis was out of flower at Kelve-
don Rectory, and Cydonia japonica was noticed in full bloom on the wall of a
house in Kelvedon.
Almost the only insects observed were a few specimens of Meloe proscarabaeus
(the "oil-beetle") near Coggeshall.
Luncheon was taken at the "White Hart" Hotel, and immediately afterwards
the 113th Ordinary Meeting was held, Mr. E. A. Fitch, President, in the
chair. The following were elected members :—Miss Jessie S. Wortley, Miss
Nelly Wortley, Messrs. E. A, Simons and E. N. Edmunds.
The President alluded to the fact that this meeting was the 10th anniversary
of the first Field Meeting of the Club, which was held at Ongar on Easter
Monday, March 29th, 1880.
Mr. J. C. Shenstone, F.R.M.S., read "Suggestions for the Formation of a
County Herbarium" (ante, pp. 71-78), illustrating his remarks by examples of the