THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
83
the whole question of "the protection of our native Fauna and
Flora from the destruction and actual extermination which now
threaten many interesting species." (Essex Naturalist, X.,
179). On this occasion Mr. C. G. Barrett, Mr. Harting and
Prof. Boulger dealt with the necessity for protecting the rarer
insects, birds, mammals and plant; respectively. It is to be
hoped that this policy will be strenuously maintained during the
future career of the Club. Since the year 1880, when the original
rule was framed, new sources of danger have arisen which make
the protection even of our commoner animals and plants (unless
absolutely destructive) a matter of serious importance. I refer
to the introduction of "nature-teaching" into rural schools, an
innovation in educational methods at which nobody can rejoice
more than I do, but which, unless kept well in check at the
outset, is liable to lead to wanton destruction by the undisciplined
raids of uninstructed school children (see Essex Naturalist,
XL, 236, and Nature, Vol. LXIV., p. 394, August 22nd, 1901).
II.—BOTANY.
Many contributions to the local lists of plants will be found
throughout our publications. Among general lists I may refer
to Mr. Shenstone's reports .on the flowering plants of the Col-
chester district (Essex Naturalist, I., 22; III., 222), Mr.
Powell's paper on the flowering plants of Epping Forest (Ibid.
VI., 1) and Mr. F. W. Elliott's paper on the trees and shrubs of
Epping Forest (Ibid. X., 377). As Essex is the home of the
rarest British Primula, P. elatior, it is but natural that this genus
should have received special attention, and our first botanical
contribution of importance was Mr. Miller Christy's paper in
1882-83 on the species of the genus Primula in Essex (Trans.,
III., 148), followed in 1891 by Mr. French's paper on the range
of P. vulgaris and P. elatior in N. Western Essex (Essex
Naturalist, V., 120), and in 1898 by Mr. Miller Christy's notes
on a phyllodic aberration of P. acaulis and on a hybrid between
P. elatior and P. veris (Ibid. X., 307). Mr. Shenstone's paper on
the more remarkable oak trees in Essex (Ibid. Vill., 89), richly
illustrated as it is by prints taken from photographs, must be
regarded as a valuable contribution to Essex botany. Among
other local records attention may be called to Mr. Arthur Lister's
note in 1882 "On the occurrence of Carex pseudo-cyperus and the