378 EXISTING TREES AND SHRUBS OF EPPING FOREST.
If some botanical member would take up the story of the
Roses and prepare a list of the sub-species, a great service would
be rendered to the natural history of the forest.
Clematis vitalba, L. Traveller's Joy.
In a hedge forming the northern boundary of part of Bury
Wood. It was pointed out by Mr. Cole during a meeting held in
the neighbourhood on 13th May, 1893. The Clematis extends
along the hedge for several hundred yards, in some places with
branches so thick and tangled as to be self-supporting.
Tilia europaea, L. Lime-tree, or Linden,
Occurs occasionally on open ground, where it has evidently
been planted, and in some of the avenues. I have not met with
it in the woods.
T. parvifolia, Ehrh. Small-leaved Lime,
Of this species or variety there is an example on Warren
Hill, Loughton.
Ilex aquifolium, L. Holly.
To a stranger exploring the forest for the first time, its most
striking feature would perhaps be the abundance of holly in the
dryer quarters. In some places it constitutes almost the entire
undergrowth, notably at Woodford and in parts of Lord's Bushes.
Probably as the old pollards become replaced by well-grown trees,
the holly, in common with other undergrowth, will decrease.
There are some fine old specimens scattered about the forest.
Perhaps the oldest is a still living stump in Lord's Bushes, which
measures six feet in circumference and is surrounded by a small
thicket that has sprung up from its roots.
Euonymus europaeus, L. Spindle-tree.
This interesting shrub, which bears a beautiful rosy four-
lobed fruit, is very scarce in the forest. It must generally be
looked for in damp places. I have found it here and there in the
valley of the Ching, where the thickets are densest, and near
Manor Road, Loughton. The best bush, however, that I have
met with is not far from High Beach Church. As it usually
grows mixed up with thorn bushes, when a clearance is made of
the undergrowth and it happens to be in the way, the Spindle-tree
goes down with the rest. We have lost several specimens from
this cause.