160 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.—REPORTS OF MEETINGS.
Forest. It would be a good many years before a uniform turf was produced, for
cattle grazed unevenly. The Seedlings in the experimental plots had not done
well, perhaps from the great growth of weeds, or from a want of humus in the
soil. Mr. Dent spoke in terms of warm commendation of the manner in which
the tenant of the farm had carried out Mr. Buxton's instruction. He also gave
some interesting details about the fauna of the new ground. A litter of fox cubs
had been found, and there was reason to hope that badgers might come over
from Epping, There had been an extraordinary number of partridges at
Lambourn and Hainault ; linnets were abundant, and the goldfinch had become
a regular breeder in the district—indeed, he knew of five nests this season within
half a mile of his house. He had seen a pair of kestrels and a pair of sparrow-
hawks, and nightingales were plentiful.
The President, in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Dent for his services that
afternoon, and for the paper he had read, discussed some of the points raised by
this valuable series of experiments. He thought that Mr. Dent's remarks should
be published in the Essex Naturalist, as they would prove of value in future
years as a record of the reclamation.
Attempted Partition of the County.—He also alluded to the attempt
which had been made to sever part of Essex from them, and to include the
parishes in Hertfordshire. The Club, in common with the Essex Archaeological
Society and other bodies, had made a vigorous protest, and had written to the
local members of Parliament on the subject. He was glad to say that the oppo-
sition had proved successful, and the order of the Local Government Board had
not been confirmed by Parliament.
Professor Meldola, F.R.S., cordially seconded the vote of thanks, and fully
supported the idea that Mr. Dent's notes should be published. He suggested
that supplements might afterwards be issued, recording the progress of the
experiments from year to year.
After the meeting Mr. Dent gave some further demonstrations in the field,
and the members walked down to the station for the return trains.
ANNUAL FUNGUS FORAY.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14TH, 1905.
This meeting was held at the "King's Oak" Hotel, High Beach, Epping
Forest, under the arrangements common to the Foray for many years past. A
room was reserved at the Inn, wherein the specimens collected were determined
and classified.
The first collecting party started from Chingford Station in the morning at
11.30. Great regret was expressed at the absence of Dr. Cooke, who was unable
to undertake the fatigue of a long day in the Forest.
Mr. George Massee, F.L.S. (President of the British Mycological Society),
kindly undertook to act as principal Botanical Conductor, and we were favoured
with the company of a considerable number of well-known Botanists, including
Mr. A. Lister, F.R.S., and Miss Lister, Dr. D. H. Scott, F.R.S., Secretary to
the Linnean Society, Mr. E. M. Holmes, F L. S., Professor Silvanus Thompson,
F.R.S., Mr. W. M. Webb, F.L.S., and many others.
The afternoon party assembled at Theydon Bois, and rambled through the
woods to High Beach, collecting by the way.