41
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
Autumnal Ramble in Epping Forest, and 136TH Ordinary Meeting.
Saturday, November 19th, 1892.
This meeting was arranged to take the place of the usual Fungus Meeting, and
to afford an opportunity of imparting some elementary information about the
structure and habits of some of the tribes of Cryptogamia found in the Forest.
The Public Hall, Loughton, was the headquarters for the day, and the mem-
bers and visitors drove or walked to High Beach and other parts of the Forest.
Collectors were recommended to pay particular attention to the smaller forms of
Fungi and specimens adapted for microscopic illustration.
The day was fine, but the late period of the year, and the recent cold weather,
precluded the possibility of obtaining many of the larger and more showy species.
Dr. Cooke kindly acted as conductor, and, in spite of adverse circumstances, many
interesting species were obtained for exhibition in the evening.
Tea was taken at the "Crown Hotel," the exhibition of specimens being
arranged in the Loughton Public Hall. Many microscopical preparations and
slides were shown, and there were a large number of microscopes. The naming
and arranging of the specimens was under the direction of Dr. Cooke, Mr. D.
Houston, F.L.S., and the secretaries.
The 136th Ordinary Meeting was held under the chairmanship of Prof. R.
Meldola, F.R.S., Vice-President.
Mr. C. Oldham exhibited some specimens of Lepidoptera recently taken in
Epping Forest, including Cymatophora ocularis and Leucania turca, which he had
not previously seen in the district, and Dicycla oo, Xylophasia hepatica, Euthe-
monia russula, etc., etc.
Mr. W. Cole exhibited a set of specimens of pottery, etc., from the Red Hills
at Burnham, and on Mersea, in which latter place he had made some diggings
during the autumn. He made some remarks upon the specimens, and on the
character of the Red Hills, which will be published in a future number of The
Essex Naturalist.
Prof. Meldola referred to the very mysterious and interesting problem pre-
sented by the existence of these Red Hills, particularly relating to the period of
their construction. He hoped that further efforts would be made to investigate
the subject.
Dr. Cooke reported upon the specimens of Fungi gathered during the after-
noon. But little had been observed deserving of special notice, and no additions
to the Epping Forest list had been made. But in spite of this Dr. Cooke made,
as usual, a most interesting address, and alluded to the extraordinary sporadic
nature of some species—appearing one year, and then disappearing for many
years.
A cordial vote of thanks was passed to Dr. Cooke for his kindness in conduct-
ing the meeting, a service he had performed for the Club from the first year of
its existence.
Mr. Dixon gave a short address on the nature and life-history of the Fungus
causing the potato disease, his remarks being illustrated by specimens exhibited
under the microscope, and by drawings.
Mr. Wray gave a similar short address on the Fresh-water Alga?, illustrated
by specimens.