THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
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panciflorus, S. setaceus, Blysmus compressus, Eriophorum angustifolium, not seen by
us, though recorded by Gibson ; Carex disticha, C. muricata, C. remota, C. ovalis,
C. panicea, C. pendula, C. flava, C. distans, C. sylvatica, C. pseudo-cyperus, C. hirta,
C. ampullacea, C. paludosa, Aira caryophyllacea, Triodia decumbens, Glyceria aquatica,
G. plicata, Festuca sciuroides, F. ovina, F. gigantea, F. arundinacea, Bromus asper,
B. pratensis, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Hordeum pratense, Equisetum limosum,
Lastrea dilatata, &c.
A few land mollusca were noticed, but the ground was much too dry
for the shell-hunters—Hyalinia cellaria, Helix aspersa, H. nemoralis (one a
rich red one-banded form), H. ericetorum, and Clausilia rugosa complete the
meagre list. In struggling through the woods the ladies quickly gained evidence
of the profusion of the Hound's-tongue (Cynoglossum) in the hundreds of hispid
"nuts" clinging to their dresses. The abundance of the fungus, Rhytisma
acerinum, forming ugly black spots on the leaves of the sycamores, was also the
subject of remark.
As considerable discussion has taken place in the columns of the "Field" as to
the arrival of fieldfares, and a late flock was recorded on April 7th, at Coggeshall
(ante p. 110), it may be noted that Mr. Fitch called attention to a flock (the first
of the season) passing over Great Hallingbury on the Friday.
A boat allowed of some cursory search being made in the larger lake for fresh-
water shells. Mr. Crouch recorded the following : Sphaerium corneum, Unio
tumidus, Anodonta cygnaea, Planorbis albus, Physa fontinalis, Limnaea auricularia
(one large dead shell), L. stagnalis, L. peregra, and Ancylus lacustris. While
"fishing" for these three species of Chara were obtained—C. hispida (very
abundant), C. fragilis, and C. vulgaris. Also plenty of Myriophyllum spicatum,
Ceratophyllum demersum, Elodea canadensis, and many other aquatic plants.
Luncheon was admirably served each day by Mr. Chapman, of the "Chequers,"
under the trees bordering the lake, by the lodge known as the "Shell-house," and
in the late afternoons the members made their way back to Bishop Stortford, where
the Club's usual "high teas'' were partaken of.
In the evening of Saturday the 117th Ordinary Meeting was held in the
court-room of the hotel, with Professor Meldola, F.R.S. (Vice-president), in
the chair, Mr. Fitch being absent through domestic affliction.
The following were elected members:—Lord Brooke, M.P., Mrs. Percy J.
Sheldon, and Mr. Richard Sparrow.
The Chairman made a few remarks upon the incidents of the two days'
meeting, congratulating those present on the glorious weather they had enjoyed,
and then called upon Dr. Cooke to report on the botanical results of the meeting.
Dr. Cooke, in the course of a humorous address, said that it had been one of the
most agreeable "Fungus Forays" they had ever had, and one that they would
have occasion to remember. The weather had been everything that could be
desired in one of the most fickle of years in that respect; and it was, perhaps, to
the fickleness and coldness of the spring that they must attribute the want of
success in collecting an average number of species that day. It was not Hatfield
Forest or Essex alone that complained ; it was all England alike. They had
been trying to make up a respectable list, and by dint of perseverance had
been enabled to bring together about 130 species, large and small, of which
twenty-five were new to the Essex lists. In one of the worst of years for fungi
in his considerable experience he thought they would have done well if they had
but added a couple of species to the flora of Essex. As expected, the open park
land of this locality had supplied them with just the species that were absent in