THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
271
Razor-blade in a Tree.—Also on behalf of Mr. P. Gearing, a curious
specimen showing a razor-blade deeply imbedded in the branch of a hornbeam ;
the wood had grown around the blade and covered it in. It was from Epping
Forest.
Portrait of Dr. H. C. Sorby.—Dr. Sorby presented a photogravure
portrait of himself, from the oil painting by Mrs. M. L. Waller, paid for by
public subscriptions and placed in the Sheffield University, of which institution
Dr. Sorby was one of the Founders.
Lower Jurassic Fossils from Finchingfield.—Mr. Percy Thompson
exhibited and presented to the Museum a few specimens of Lower Jurassic
fossils extracted from a small boulder from mid-glacial gravel, near Finchingfield,
on the occasion of the Club's visit on July 28th last.
Fasciated Branch of Holly.—Mr. Thompson also exhibited a fasciated
blanch of Holly, found on a bush near the "Robin Hood," Epping Forest.
Mr. Cole remarked that this kind of growth was not very uncommon in the
forest. There was a specimen in the Forest Museum.
Thanks were voted to donors and exhibitors of specimens.
Paper Read.—The Secretary read on behalf of the author, a paper entitled
"On the Salinity of the Sea-water along the Coast of Essex," by Dr. H. C.
Sorby, F.R.S. (printed ante, pp. 235-30.)
Considerable discussion took place on the paper, carried on by the President,
Mr. John Spiller, F.I.C, F.C.S., Mr. W. Cole and others, and a' vote of thanks
was accorded to Dr. Sorby.
Lecture.—Mr. Yeatman Woolf then gave a lecture on "Sponges : Their
Life History and Development." The lecture was illustrated by a large number
of slides, shown by the electric lantern, and by a series of specimens from Mr.
Woolf's own collection.
A discussion on points raised by the lecture was carried on by the President,
Mr. Scourfield, Mr. Crouch, the Lecturer and others, and a cordial vote of
thanks was given to Mr. Woolf.
The 251st ORDINARY MEETING.
Saturday, November 24TH, 1900.
The meeting was held as usual at the Technical Institute, Stratford, at 6.30
p.m , Mr. Miller Christy, F.L.S., President, in the chair.
New Members.—The following were elected:—
Mrs. A. F. Hogg, Sr, Claremont Hood, Forest Gate.
Mr. A. Clifton Kelway, Corringham Rectory, Stanford-le-Hope.
Mr. Herbert Playne, M.A., Head Master, Bancroft School, Woodford.
Miss F. A. Randell, 33, Bulwer Road, Leytonstone.
Recruiting Members.—The President alluded to a project which had been
under consideration by the Council for some time. An abstract of the work of
the Club, and what it wished to do, had been prepared in pamphlet form (and
christened the "Red-book"), and an introductory letter had been signed by
members of the Council to accompany the pamphlet. Yesterday (Friday,
November 23rd), a first dispatch of 450 of these communications had been