258
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
known Essex Species." The lecture was illustrated by a series of specimens
of most of the species referred to, selected from his own collection.
[An abstract of Mr. Lovett's remarks is given in the present part of the
Essex Naturalist],
Mr. W. Cole exhibited some Essex forms of Marine Crustacea, collected
by himself in the Colne Estuary.
Considerable discussion took place on points in the natural history and
occurence of Crustacea, carried on by Mr. Crouch, Mr. Whitaker, Mr. F. W.
Elliott, and the Author, and before the close of the Meeting a very cordial
vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Lovett for his interesting lecture.
[The Secretary expressed his thanks to the Governors of the Institute for
the courteous way in which accommodation had been found for the Club,
The place of meeting was chosen to suit the convenience of Mr. Lovett, so
as to avoid the risk of two railway journeys for his delicate specimens of
Crustacea. The day of Meeting was an experiment, many Members having
frequently complained that most of the Meetings were held on Saturdays.
FIELD DEMONSTRATION MEETING AND SPECIAL
AND ORDINARY MEETING.
Saturday, March 31ST, 1900.
One of the Field Demonstration Meetings was held in Epping Forest on
this afternoon, under the Botanical leadership of Mr. Ernest S. Salmon. The
subject was the study of the Mosses. The members met at Theydon Station
at about a quarter past 3, and the route was taken up the hill to Oak Hill
Woods.
By the wayside, growing on the sandy banks, Aulacomnium androgynum
occurred abundantly in its gemmiferous condition, crowded with little balls of
gemmae borne at the apex of naked stalks (pseudopodia). On these banks,
Bartramia pomiformis also grew. On reaching the Oak-hill Woods it was
found that the cold winds, which had been prevalent for the past week, had
somewhat dried up the mosses, and it was only in the sheltered and damper
parts that any signs of Spring growth were observable. Scattered about the
woods, however, were fine tufts of Leucobryum glaucum, and Tetraphis pellucida,
with its bright green cups of gemmae, grew in several places in profusion.
The way led by the "Ditches" to the "Fox Earths," where the
Badger's holes (depicted in Dr. Laver's Mammals, &c., of Essex, plate
facing page 42), were seen. Close to the stream running through
"Hangboy Slade," Fissidens exilis was found, a rare species of the genus, and
one not hitherto recorded for the Forest. This moss was in beautiful con-
dition, its densely clustered ripe capsules on short setae almost covering the
bare clay on which it occurred. In the wetter parts of the woods, Aulacom-
nium palustre was found, whilst in the dry parts the most interesting species
seen were Polytrichum piliferum and Pleuridium subulatum.
On reaching Monks Wood, a halt was called under the beeches, and a
short lecture on Mosses was given by Mr. Salmon. In his remarks, directions
were given as to the best manner of examining mosses, and attention was