288 MANUSCRIPT OF THE LATE JOHN BROWN.
stature, the shape of the head, and other physical characters, the
customs and beliefs of the people and their folk-lore should be
studied. As examples, mention need only be made of local
customs on particular days, or the numerous and very interest-
ing singing games of children, such as 'Jenny Jo,' 'Dukes-a-
riding,' 'Green Gravel,' and the like. These might seem to be
trifling matters, but many such customs and games are the only
records we have left to us of the religious rites and social
customs of our ancestors, and therefore they are by no means to
be despised. It would also be advisable for the local scientific
and photographic Societies to interest their members in depicting
the geology, natural history, and ethnology of their district, the
latter especially. Many opportunities for the study of British
anthropology are vanishing or becoming modified, just as surely
as are corresponding details in the islands of the Pacific.
As indicated above (ante p. 248) the Essex Field Club is
credited in the Index appended to the Report under considera-
tion, with 24 papers relating to local scientific investigations
published in the Essex Naturalist during the year ended
June 1st, 1897.
ON A MANUSCRIPT OF THE LATE JOHN
BROWN, F.G.S., OF STANWAY.
By A. S. KENNARD AND B. B. WOODWARD, F.L S.. F.G.S.
[Read February 26th, 1898.]
AN excellent account, with a portrait, of the life and work
of this Essex worthy was published in the Essex
Naturalist, vol. IV., pp. 108-168. In it the author, Mr.
Alfred P. Wire, stated that the story of John Brown's life was
very fragmentary and imperfect, and it is to be regretted that
we can add nothing in that direction.1 But as regards his
work, there is now in the Library of the British Museum
(Natural History) a notebook of Mr. Brown's that is of great
interest to all members of the Essex Field Club. It consists of
86 pages, on the first of which there is an index as well as a
foot-note by the late Sir Richard Owen, "Memoranda on Fresh-
water Deposits 1842-3 by John Brown, Esq., F.G.S., of Stan-
way, Essex." The earliest date in the book is 1841 and the
1 A few additional particulars of John Brown, from the Life of Richard Owen, are
given in the Essex Naturalist, vol. ix., p. 263.—Ed.