THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
207
pains to point out the distinguishing characteristics of the numerous plants
observed.
From the meadows at the end of the lane, which sweep down to the river, a
charming view was obtained of part of the Lea Valley, the breadth and beauty
of the scene quite astonishing those new to the district.
The party then made their way down the slopes to the Sewardstone Lane and
so to the banks of the old River Lea, Izaak Walton's river Lea, at the Sewardstone
Mill, where most of the common spring riverside plants were noticed and com-
mented upon.
Tea was taken at a small road-side inn, the "Royal Oak," after which Mr.
Paulson gave a short address on the "Use and Abuse of a Flora," the chair
being occupied by the President, Mr. David Howard,
It was shown that a "Flora" can be used with advantage even on those
plants which we see every day, that the mere knowledge of the name is a very
secondary matter, and that it is not until we know something of its habits, its
adaptations for cross or self fertilisation, its means of defence against unbidden
guests, the method of the dispersion of its seeds, etc., that we can be said
to know a plant. Mr. Paulson also treated briefly of the following subjects :
(1) Notes on the Classification of Flowering Plants into Class, Sub-class,
Division, and Order.
(2) Difficulties met with in the above classification.
(3) Frequent errors in the use of a Flora.
(4) Incomplete Floras to be avoided. Why ?
(5) Imperfections of a Flora. Two to be consulted when possible.
The specimens gathered during the afternoon were used to illustrate the
points brought forward.
During the meeting the Secretary exhibited the following specimens on
behalf of Mr. Wilfred Mark Webb, F.L.S. :
(1) A series of the shells of all the British species of Testacella, among which
were Essex examples of Testacella scutulum, already recorded [Essex Naturalist,
vol. vii. (1893), p. 46, Figured p. 121] from Buckhurst Hill, and of T. haliotidea,
which is new to the county, from Widford and Stisted [see "Journal of the Essex
Technical Laboratories," vol. ii., pp. 127 and 242], and
(2) Two living Helix pomatia obtained near Chappel in the Colne Valley,
which are the first authentically recorded [" Journ. Essex Tech. Labs,," vol. ii, p.
241, Fig. 107] specimens from Essex, though several isolated examples have been
met with in the county.
The return journey was a pleasant route by the footpath opposite the inn,
over the "hanging" meadows, in which cowslips were abundant, through a little
wood, almost completely filled with the curious Dogs' Mercury (Mercurialis
perennis), and so by the old forest way, the Bury Path, to Chingford Station.
Forest Ramble and Third Botanical Demonstration.
Saturday, June 20th, 1896.
THE third Botanical Demonstration took place on the above afternoon, and
was combined with a Forest ramble in the beautiful woods near Theydon Bois,
in Epping Thicks, by Ambresbury Banks, etc. To afford more time for the
researches of the botanists, tea was served in the woods in a tent erected in
Epping Thicks, by kind permission of the Superintendent of the Forest.