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THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
The Eleventh Annual Cryptogamic and Botanical Meeting.
Friday and Saturday, October 10th and 11th, 1890.
The "Boodle Oak," Hatfield Forest. Drawn from nature by Henry A. Cole,
October 11th, 1890.
THE Club's annual "Fungus Foray" having been held for ten years in
succession (1880-89) in Epping Forest, it was felt that a change of meeting
place was desirable. Dr. Cooke well summed up the results of the ten Epping
Forest Forays, in the Essex Naturalist, vol. iii. pp. 248-271, and has there
given a full list of the species hitherto observed. It was therefore, on the present
occasion, proposed to give the forest a rest, and to direct the attacks of our
botanical forces to another part of the county. The fine piece of woodland in Great
Hallingbury parish, known as Hatfield Forest, was the spot selected, permission
to hold the meeting being kindly given by the owner, Mr. J. Archer Houblon.
Hatfield Forest comprises about 1,000 acres, lying to the N.W. of the town of
Hatfield Regis, or Hatfield Broad Oak. A description of the forest was given in
the Essex Naturalist (vol. iii. pp. 225-226), in the report of the meeting at
Hyde Hall, in July, 1889. Bishop's Stortford, about two-and-a-half miles from
the forest, was selected as the rendezvous, and the headquarters for the meeting
were at the Chequers Hotel, where the accommodation was all that could be
desired. Some few members went down on Thursday evening, others on the
Friday and Saturday mornings.
The botanical "conductors" were Dr. M. C. Cooke, Mr. George Massee,
F.R.M.S., Mr. E. M. Holmes, F.L.S., and Prof. Boulger, and our resident
member, Mr. G. E. Pritchett, F.S.A., did all in his power to promote the success
of the meeting.
A start was made about ten o'clock each morning, some going by road in con-
veyances, and others making across the fields to Thromhill Priory Gate, the