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THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
Mr. Hope briefly responded, expressing the pleasure with which he and Mrs-.
Hope received the Club. He regretted that he was not able often to attend the
meetings, and as he heartily wished to forward the work of the Club, he might be
allowed to show his interest in its welfare by asking the members to visit him,
and see his collections.
Prof. Meldola exhibited a specimen of Polyommatus dorilis, a common European
and Asiatic butterfly, but new to Britain, which had been taken at Lee, near
Ilfracombe, in August, 1877, by Mr. Latter. At the time of its capture, Mr.
Latter supposed the specimen to be a hybrid between Polyommatus phlaeas and one
of the "Blues," and he had only recently identified it as a distinct species.
The President referred to another new British butterfly, Hesperia lineola,
which he understood had been taken near Leigh, in Essex.6
Mr. C. Branfill exhibited an earthenware vase, probably mediaeval, recently
found near "Martyn's."
Mr. Alfred Warner exhibited a flint implement (Palaeolithic) which he had
found that day between Brentwood and Tyler's Common.
Mr. W. Cole referred to the scheme for the acquisition of a portion of
Highams Park, Woodford, as an addition to Epping Forest, and detailed the
progress already made.
Mr. T. V. Holmes read a paper "On Some Sections between West Thurrock
and Stifford, on the Grays and Upminster Railway" (ante, pp. 143-149).
Remarks on the paper were made by Mr. Dalton, Prof. Boulger, Prof. Meldola
and others, and a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Holmes.
The remainder of the evening was occupied in inspecting Mr. Hope's fine
collection of Birds, Fossils, Insects, &c., many of the specimens being admirably
preserved by Mr. Hope himself. The greatest botanical treat was the sight—all
too brief—of Mr. Hope's admirable collection of Algae, so carefully mounted
with coloured illustrative sketches.6
Some of the members went home from Upminster Station, others walked
round the common back to Harold Wood.
Animal Mycophagists.—The late Mr. James English, of Epping, who was
a shrewd observer and a constant visitor in Epping Forest at all seasons of the
year, often called attention to the fact that squirrels, which are plentiful in
the forest, were very fond of eating the tops of the large species of Boletus. We
have, in his company, witnessed them in the enjoyment of their feast. The bright
yellow, pine-loving species are very rare there, and hence were exempt, as well
as the poisonous species of the luridus group, but we fancy that B. pachypus and
B. impolitus were the greatest sufferers. Have any of our readers any knowledge
of squirrels eating fungi other than Boleti, and, if so, what kinds ? Are any other
rodents addicted to fungus-eating ? We are not aware of any record of such
proclivities.—"Grevillea" for December. [We have been more than once
informed by foresters that the deer in Epping Forest devour various kinds of
fungi, but we have no personal knowledge of the fact. Observations will be
welcomed.—Ed.]
5 See note by the Editor on this butterfly ante p 1
6 Some of the more notable of Mr. Hope's birds are catalogued in E.N. vol ii,, pp. 135-6, but
the many treasures in the Museum in various departments deserve a more systematic description
a piece of work which we trust the owner will be induced to undertake.—Ed