86
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
much of the ground in the report of a ramble from Epping to Theydon Garnon
in August, 1881, in our "Proceedings," vol. ii., pp. xlii.-xlvi.
The weather was very pleasant, and many interesting flowers and insects were
observed. The beautiful little Adela degreerella was plentiful in some of the
rides, and on a rubbish heap near the house a large quantity of the Yellow
Balsam (Impatiens noli-me-tangere) was noticed in full bloom. The route was
through Ongar Park Wood, and through Gaynes Park Wood to Gaynes Park,
where the party was most kindly received at tea by Mr. and Mrs. Chisenhale-
Marsh.
Afterwards an adjournment was made to the library, where the 157th Ordinary
Meeting was held, Mr. David Howard, President, in the chair.
The minutes of the meeting on May 18th were read and confirmed.
On the motion of the President, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr. and
Mrs. Chisenhale-Marsh for their kind reception of the Club that afternoon.
The following were elected members of the Club :—Mrs. J. A. Finzi, Mr.
Alfred G. Howard, F.L.S., Mr. D. Lloyd Howard, Dr. F. J. Smith, Mr. C. Hewlett-
Taylor, and Mr. E. W. Hawkins.
Mr. W. Cole exhibited a small ornament of gilt copper, of Roman age, one of
two similar in character, found some years ago near High Beach, which had heen
presented to the Epping Forest Museum by Sir John Evans, F.R.S., late President
of the Society of Antiquaries, and one of the honorary members of the
Club.
Mr. Cole also exhibited a collection of the two snakes occurring in the Forest
(the Grass or Green Snake, and the Adder), as well as the snake-like lizard, the
Slow-worm (Anguis fragilis). In the collection was included the specimen of the
dark form of the Adder ("var. d" of Jenyns, "Man, Brit. Vert. Animals," p.
29S), which had been found at Loughton in 1883, and which he had already
recorded in the "Journal of Proceedings," vol. iv., p. x.). This dark form
appeared to be rare, and he had never met with another specimen.1
Mr. Walter Crouch exhibited a handsome living specimen of the Ringed
Snake, which had been lent to him for that purpose by Mr. Wykeham Chancellor.
This snake, nearly 3 feet in length, and with a very well defined neck-collar of a
bright yellow colour, was handed round, and became a great favourite with all, even
the ladies, who allowed the reptile to nestle in their laps, and coil around their
hands.
Mr. Crouch also said that Mr. G. A. Boulenger, F.R.S., of the British Museum
of Natural History, had kindly sent him, to read at this meeting, a note on a
specimen of the Viper recently caught near the "Wake Arms" in Epping Forest
(see note by Mr. Boulenger in the present part of the E. N.).
Mr. Crouch and Mr. Cole pointed out the distinctions between the Ringed
Snake and the Viper, and gave some details as to their localities in the
Forest.
Prof. G. S. Boulger, F.L.S., then gave a very interesting address on the subject
of "Corn-field Weeds," in which he more especially discussed the probable foreign
origin of many of the common plants of our corn-fields.
Considerable discussion ensued, in which the President, Prof. McConnell, Dr.
Smith, Mr. W, Cole, Mr. Crouch, and Prof. Boulger took part.
Votes of thanks to the authors of the papers concluded the meeting, and the
members afterwards rambled through the woods back to North Weald Station.
1 I have placed this specimen in the Forest Museum at Chingford.—W.C.