340 ABSENCE OF THE BEECH IN HAINHAULT,
Essex Field Club. A joint committee of the Geological and
Geographical Sections has been appointed for the purpose of
ascertaining and recording the exact significance and derivation
of local terms applied to topographical and geological subjects.
Any member of this Club who can throw light upon such words
as are used in East Anglia, especially in Essex, should com-
municate their information to the Secretary of the Committee at
the British Association offices.
In biological work several subjects had been suggested at
former meetings without producing any substantial result. Such,
for instance, were (1) cave faunas, (2) the zoological changes on
a given plot of land during the year, (3) the compilation of local
faunas, for which a complete working scheme has been prepared,
and (4) systematic observations on the micro-organisms of a
given pond or ditch. In addition to these the following new
subjects for investigation are now recommended, namely, (5) the
overland lines of migrations of birds, and (6) the collection of
British slugs.
Miss Ethel Sargant, of Reigate, still appeals for information
as to British orchids, especially as to the length of time the
leaves are above ground, and as to their reproduction by means
of seeds.2
Reviewing the work of the Cambridge Congress, as a whole,
it seems likely that the discussions at the meeting will give a
fresh impetus to the efforts of the Corresponding Societies' Com-
mittee and lead to a strengthening of the union between the
societies and the Association.
ABSENCE OF THE BEECH IN HAINHAULT,
AS CONTRASTED WITH EPPING, FOREST.
By W. H. DALTON, F.G.S.
MR. Buxton's remarks on this topic at the meeting of
June 4th suggested investigation of the differences
underlying the general resemblance of the two areas. In
both, the mass of the hills consists of London Clay, both have
a scanty remnant of Bagshot Beds on the crest of the main
ridge, the highest points being occupied by Glacial boulder-clay,
gravel, and loam, whilst the lower ground is sprinkled with
patches of gravel of undefined age, probably in some cases the
2 Rep. Brit. Assoc. for 1903 (Southport), p. 493.