228
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
The Secretary read a paper by Mr. J. French, entitled "Some Notes on
Dipsacus sylvestris and D. pilosus and their natural relationship," which was illus-
trated by some dried specimens of the forms referred to.
In the absence of Prof. Boulger, the Secretary also read some remarks upon
Mr. French's paper sent by Prof. Boulger. Some observations on the paper were
also made by the President.
Mr. Fitch read a paper on "The Butterflies of Essex," which was illustrated
by a series of the British Butterflies from the cabinet of Messrs. W. and B.
G. Cole.
A short discussion ensued, and Mr. Fitch afterwards demonstrated the most
interesting species referred to in his paper.
The Secretary read a paper by Mr. Edwin G. Ingold, "The Land and
Fresh-water Mollusca occurring in the neighbourhood of Bishop's Stortford."
Mr. Crouch said that at the Bishop's Stortford meeting on October nth he
had carefully examined Mr. Ingold's specimens then exhibited, and all were care-
fully and correctly named.
Mr. Fitch remarked that although Mr. Ingold's list contained some species
from the Herts side, but not actually found in Essex, he thought that they should
welcome these border list;. It was often extremely difficult to draw a strict line
of demarcation for faunistic purposes between adjacent counties.
Cordial votes of thanks were passed to the authors of the papers, and the
meeting ended in the usual way.
Special and Ordinary Meeting, Tuesday, December 30TH, 1890.4
A Special Meeting, and the 120th Ordinary Meeting, were held at the
Loughton Public Hall, Mr. E, A. Fitch, President, in the chair.
With the circular calling the meeting for December 2nd the following
statement was sent to each member :—
It is with reluctance that the Council make an appeal to the members for
further income, in order to carry on the work effectively, The following
statement is submitted for the careful consideration of all friends of the Club :—
At the Inaugural Meeting, the founder, Mr. W. Cole, after study of the
condition of things obtaining in societies of a like nature, suggested an annual
subscription of 15s. (see Journ. Proc. vol. i. p. 3), but the Meeting chose the
smaller subscription of 10s. 6d. Since these early days the importance and work
of the Club have greatly increased ; the publications have become a prominent
feature in its operations, and the consequent expenses are much larger. Under
the present conditions (pending the coming into force of the suggested scheme
for the extension of the operations of the Club in connection with the proposed
Local Museum) we can hardly expect to maintain a higher average than 400
members, which, at the present rate (supposing all subscriptions to be paid), gives an
available income of about £200, out of which all the expenses of the Club have
to be met. Taking an average of three years, the Essex Naturalist alone
costs in printing and postage, &c., about £150 per annum, thus leaving only £50
for all the other expenses, printing and postage of circulars, rent, secretarial
expenses, expenses of Field Meetings, Lectures, &c.
The only effectual way in which the Council could reduce these expenses is by
curtailing the Essex Naturalist, but it is submitted that such a course would
most injuriously affect the status of the Club. The publications have earned for
4 The change of evening was again tried as an experiment, and tea and coffee served before
instead of after the meeting, but the attendance of members was not encouraging.—Ed.