THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
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Also Digenia disclindrum, parasitic in the bladder of Rana temporaria, from
Epping Forest.
Also Tubularia divisa (Hydrozoa) from the Crouch. These specimens
were preserved in 4 per cent. formalin two years ago, and were still in good
condition. Mr. Schwartz strongly recommended formalin for all marine
Hydrozoa.
Mr. Schwartz's collection, too, included specimens of Sertularia, Obelia
gelatinosa (Campanularidae) from the Crouch River ; Pygnogonum littorale from
the Thames estuary, and other forms.
Dr. Dixon exhibited specimens of Anharlonium lewinii, a cactus growing in
Mexico. The Indians eat the dried plant in their religious ceremonies. Dr.
Dixon described the physiological effects of the alkaloid of the plant—the
most remarkable being visions in which the air seemed filled with vague
perfumes, and musical notes could be imagined to arrange about themselves a
halo of harmonious sounds. But the most distinct of all were the colour
visions, consisting of displays of ever varying colours, of incomparable
brilliancy and beauty.
Dr. Dixon also exhibited a microscopic preparation of Bacillus pestis, the
bubonic plague bacillus of India.
Prof. Meldola made some remarks on the chemical nature of the alkaloid
of the cactus.
Mr. C. Oldham exhibited and presented to the Club's Museum an ancient
clay "Loom-weight" [or fisherman's "net-sinker" ?] found in October last in
a gravel pit at the rear of St. Swithin's Farm, Barking Side. The weight lay
in a stratum of sand 7 feet from the surface.
Mr. Oldham also exhibited some Noctuae taken at "Sugar" in Epping
Forest last season, including the rare Cymatophora ocularis taken on the
5th July ; Cosmia diffinis and C. affinis, Dipterygia pinastri, &c.
The Secretary exhibited the four privately issued volumes of Gen. Pitt-
Rivers' magnificent work on the explorations at Rushmore, presented by the
General to the Club. The 4th volume had only recently been issued.
Prof. Meldola made some remarks on the great scientific value of General
Pitt-Rivers' researches, the investigations described and illustrated in his
books were models of the methods of conducting and registering such excava-
tions. General Pitt-Rivers was one of the pioneers of scientific archaeology,
and of the right use of the "pick and shovel," and many of our greatest
archaeological explorers owed their inspiration to him. A cordial vote of
thanks was passed to General Pitt-Rivers for his valuable donation.
Mr. W. Cole called attention to the new Orders for the Protection of
Wild Birds in Essex, and particularly to those relating to the Epping Forest
District which as now enlarged under the recent mandate of the Secretary of
State established one of the largest absolutely protected areas in England.
By means of the electric light lantern an exhibition was made of the fine
series of Slides brought together by the British Association Committee formed
for the "collection and preservation of Photographs of Geological interest."
In the display of a selection of the lantern slides, preference was given to those
having a direct bearing on the geology of England, east of a line from Dorset
to the Wash. Two albums of prints of geological photographs were also