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THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
carried out, in it they might be enabled to study the natural conditions of the
Valley of the Thames and the site of London in the age of Julius Caesar, as it
presented itself to the Roman invaders. Epping Forest represented what the
site of London (saving and excepting the marshes of the Thames) must once have
been, and what it would be now, if there had been no great city or human enter-
prise to alter and deface natural characteristics in the Thames Valley. The
Forest was thus of immense value to every Londoner and even to every English-
man, and a museum illustrating it in a scientific way would be of great educational
importance. Speaking of an ideal local Museum he mentioned some of the
Continental provincial Museums, especially that at Pilsen, in Bohemia. In that
Museum, by means of the collections of antiquities, etc., exhibited in separate
rooms, the visitor might realise Pilsen in the Stone and Bronze Ages, Pilsen in
the Middle Ages, Pilsen in the Renaissance Epoch, or in the last century. So that
in an ideal Epping Forest Museum they might realise London in the pre-
historic times—an historical object-lesson which should interest and inform every
intelligent Londoner.
The discussion was continued by Mr. F. Carruthers Gould (who regretted the
destruction by modern so-called "education" of all the pretty myths enshrined in
ancient country-lore about plants and animals), and by Mr. W. Cole (who, in
endorsing all that had been said of the importance of full educational illustration
of the objects in a local Museum, ventured to hint that such methods of exhibition
meant a very considerable expenditure of time, skill, and money), and a cordial
vote of thanks was passed to Dr. Cooke for his paper and for his services as
"Conductor."
The remainder of the evening was devoted to the demonstration and exami-
nation of the specimens on the tables. Among other exhibits was a nice set of
the English Longicorn Beetles, including all the Essex species, by Mr. Sauze.
The 165TH Ordinary Meeting.
Saturday, December 12th, 1896.
The 165th Ordinary Meeting of the Club was held in the large room at the
Royal Forest Hotel, Chingford, at 7 o'clock, Mr. T. V. Holmes, F.G.S. (Vice-
President) in the chair. The night was a most tempestuous one, and the attend-
ance was consequently very small.
Mr. Charles H. Steet was elected a member of the Club.
A "Note on the Discovery of the Male of Prestwichia aquatica in Epping
Forest," by Mr. Frederick Enock, F.L.S., F.E.S., was read by the Secretary,
who made some supplemental remarks on the interest of this observation. Mr.
Enock sent two microscopical "slides" showing the male and female insects,
preserved in his skilful manner, and which he presented to the Forest Museum.
Prof. Boulger said he thought that the name of the genus "Prestwichia"
had previously been used for a genus of Crustacea.
Prof. Boulger, F.L.S., F.G.S., then read a paper entitled "The Federation
Ideal for Natural History Societies, with special reference to the Eastern
Counties."
Dr. G. Abbott, author of the paper read before the Corresponding Societies
Committee of the British Association at Liverpool entitled "District Unions of