THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 47
simple and economical the arrangements of a local museum were at the outset, the
more steady the rise of interest, the more gradual its progress, and the offers of
co-operation in its formation—the greater will be the chance of ultimate suc-
cess. For educational purposes it seemed to him that there could be nothing
better than the exhibition of a series of well-selected types, supplemented with
accurate illustrations, each with a line or two of description such as may be seen
in the Mineralogical Gallery of the Natural History Museum. More than this could
hardly be attempted, having regard to the size of the building. The selection and
arrangement of such types would be best carried out by a Museum Committee com-
posed of specialists who, each in his own department, might furnish a simple
scheme for an instructive exhibition of such objects as those to which he has
devoted particular attention, whether they be geological, botanical, zoological, or
archaeological. In a comparatively inexpensive way much may be done by means
of charts and diagrams suspended on the walls—and the main object in view
should be not to show what a mass of material has been collected by those who
are directly concerned with the formation of the museum, but to indicate to the
visitor what he may expect to discover and examine for himself out of doors—in
other words to put him in the way of making original observations. He felt sure
that a visitor to the museum so instructed would derive tenfold enjoyment in his
future rambles through the Forest.
Prof. Boulger, in reply to some observations made during the afternoon, said
that he was sure nothing could be further from their minds than a desire that
there should be an extermination of the animals or plants that exist in the Forest
at the present time. He did not think there were many things in the Forest
that would be in danger of extermination, and the small number of specimens re-
quired in the museum, and with which good educational work could be done for
the benefit of visitors and residents, could be obtained without any risk of that
kind.
Prof. Meldola highly approved of the motion submitted by Mr. Dyne. This
idea of a local museum in connection more especially with the Forest district
had been often in their minds, and he remembered being present on the occasion
to which the Chairman referred when they held a meeting at Mr. Buxton's to
consider the scheme. Things had ripened since then, and it seemed to him the
opportunity for action had now arrived. On behalf of the Essex Field Club he
could assure the meeting that if they met with adequate support they would do
their share of the work to make the museum a thoroughgoing success. The in-
stitution, as had been pointed out by Sir William Flower, should be strictly a
local museum. By so limiting it the best kind of educational work could be
accomplished.
Mr. Howard Saunders wished the museum great success. If they had an able
curator and a special committee he thought something might be done to assist
real students of natural history, and not destroyers, by guiding them to the more
interesting parts of the Forest and pointing out some of its more interesting
features—more particularly its sylvan features.
The motion was carried by acclamation.
Mr. T. Hay Wilson pointed out that some of the members of the Essex
Field Club had already subscribed very liberally towards the museum at
Chelmsford, from which they would draw very considerably for their local
museum, and it behoved the local residents to support the present scheme. He
suggested that a subscription list be at once commenced, so that the local committee
might be able to approach the authorities with a definite scheme. They estimated