THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
227
the report of the meeting on May 17th (ante, p. 129). Also specimens of wood
from Epping Forest, permeated with the mycelium of the fungus Helotium aerugi-
nosum, Fr., which stains the wood of a beautiful green tint. Wood thus coloured
has been employed in the making of the so-called "Tunbridge Ware."
Prof. Boulger read a paper by the Rev. T. A. Preston, M.A., F.R.Met.Soc.,
etc., on "Essex Meteorological Records," relating principally to the observations
of the late Mr. Parsons. Also some notes by himself on Dr. Derham's early
weather records.
Considerable discussion took place, carried on by the President, the Rev.
W. C. Howell, and Prof. Boulger, and a cordial vote of thanks was accorded to
the authors.
The other paper on the agenda was postponed from want of time, and the
meeting terminated with the usual conversazione.
Ordinary Meeting, Tuesday, December 2nd, 1890.3
The 119th Ordinary Meeting was held in the Loughton Public Hall, at 7
o'clock, Mr. E. A. Fitch, President, in the chair.
The following were elected members of the Club:—Messrs. T. J. D.
Cramphorn, W. B. Whittingham, C.C, and the Rev. J. J. Scargill.
It was announced that the Corporation of Colchester had presented to the
Library two privately printed books—"A Catalogue of the Harsnett Library at
Colchester," and "Report on the Records of the Borough of Colchester, 1865."
Mr. Thomas Tiley exhibited some specimens of modern flint weapons, made
by the North American Indians in the Valley of the Chagrin River, Northern
Ohio. Mr. Miller Christy made some remarks upon these specimens.
Mr. W. Cole exhibited a great number of the shells of Carcinoides (Achatina)
acicula, taken from the brain-case of a human skull dug out from a depth of about
four feet. Excavations had recently been made by the War Department near
East Tilbury Church, and hundreds of skeletons had been unearthed. C. acicula
is well-known to be a subterranean species, being generally found some six or
eight inches under the turf, and it has been found in Saxon coffins.
Mr. Crouch remarked that the shell was by no means a common one in Essex,
it having been found only in two or three localities.
[Mr. Crouch has since examined the debris containing the shells, and has
found in it three other species of Gastropoda, in a semi-fossil state, viz., Helix
pulchella (1), Hyalina cellaria (several young shells) and one specimen of Pupa
marginata=muscorum. The C. acicula appear to be what are called "live" shells
(not semi-fossil), and among them were plenty of egg-shells of the mollusc, and
shells from the youngest stages of growth up to the mature form, showing that
the Caecilioides lived and bred in the skull.]
Mr. Cole also called attention to some remarks by Mr. B. B. Woodward in his
recently published paper "On the Pleistocene Mollusca of the London District"
(Proc. Geol. Assoc, vol. x. p. 370) referring to the probability of Helix fruticum
being found in the deposits of the Chelmer and Blackwater, and suggesting that
Essex naturalists should make a search for the species.
3 It was necessary to change the date and day of meeting, in order to secure the use of the
Loughton Hall. The change of day was also regarded as an experiment, in order to test the
feeling of the members as to the most convenient day of the week. The invariable fixtures on
Saturdays were stated to be inconvenient for some members. An expression of opinion on this
point was invited.