148 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
and the work of the men and the superintendents was by no means light, as quite
eighty persons descended the pits and were conducted through the workings.
Our President, Mr. Chancellor, was one of the visitors, and Professor Blake,
Vice-President of the Geologists' Association, was present, but did not descend.
The day being exceedingly fine, it was indeed pleasant to ramble about the
wood, to eat one's al fresco lunch among the hollows made by the caved-in dene-
holes, and to watch the birds and butterflies which here abound. The difference
of temperature above and below was very evident on coming up from the pits.
The Rev. Linton Wilson noted as much as twenty-three degrees difference in the
leadings of his thermometer above and below.
Many of those who descended for the first time expressed surprise at the
extent of the workings and the size of the pits. A general desire was expressed
that further explorations should be undertaken by the Club, and more of the old
closed pits examined. But it would be costly work, as it would be necessary to
unstop from above one or more shafts in order to allow of further subterranean
galleries being made. It would not be safe to extend the workings beyond their
present range, unless further means of descent and ascent were provided.
About seven, as the evening shadows lengthened, the pits were searched and
abandoned, the last light put out, and the last man emerged from the shaft. In
a few moments more the shears were lowered to the ground, the big rope un-
shipped from the pulley and crab, the platform alone remaining for later removal.
A sound as of "largesse" was heard among the men. The last of the company,
with the directors, wended their way by the old British trackway to the big barn
with its stone-cut crest of cockatrice and ducal coronet, and quaffed the clear icy
water of the deep chalk well, and then, well pleased with the day's work, a start
was made hack to Grays to the Queen's Hotel, where tea and other welcome
refreshments were eagerly partaken of before the return home.
Meeting at Boyles Court, South Weald, Warley, and Brentwood.
Saturday, August 19th, 1893.
By the courtesy of Mr. J. F. Lescher, J.P., over forty members of the Club
visited Boyles Court, near Brentwood, on this day, for the purpose of inspecting
the interesting and valuable Hoy Collection of British Birds. The party—which
included several ladies—met at Harold Wood Railway Station. The directors
were Mr. J. E. Harting, F.L.S., Mr. Miller Christy, F.L.S., and Mr. Walter
Crouch. The walk to Boyles Court is about two miles. It was a delightful
ramble, and the party were able to saunter along in comparative coolness, and
admire the charming scenery through which they passed. Over Tyler's Common
they wended their way, a brief halt being made to inspect the famed mineral
spring which was visited by the Club three years ago (vide report in The Essex
Naturalist for 1890, vol. iv. p. 194, where a full account of the well is
given). Growing abundantly in the well was a species of Chara. It was a
matter of remark that but few butterflies could be seen, the only one worth men-
tioning was the "Small Copper Butterfly" (Polyommatus phlaeas), which we wel-
comed as becoming commoner in Essex. A few years ago it was scarce. Leaving
the spring, the party were taken through the fields, and arrived at their destination
at about 3.30.