120
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
Wood, under the guidance of the head keeper, Mr. Tyler, in order to inspect
some fine specimens of Wild service Tree (Pyrus torminalis), which occur
in the wood ; the largest of these was measured by Mr. Thompson some
years since, and found to be 75 inches in girth at three feet above the
ground, and in height over 50 feet—a giant of its kind.1 The extremely
vigorous and handsome growth of the Rose-Bay (Epilobium angustifolium)
and the fine plants of species of St. John's-Wort (Hypericum) were out-
standing features of a very pleasant woodland walk.
A drive through the Park led the party to the fine old Elizabethan
Mansion, Hill Hall, which had been very courteously thrown open for
inspection by the occupier, Mr. Charles E. Hunter. Tea was taken in a
tent specially erected in the park, and then a short formal meeting of the
Club was held, Mr. J. C. Shenstone, F.L.S. Vice-President, in the chair.
New Members.—The following were elected :—
Mr. F. A. Lindsay Smith, C.C., 18, Sussex Place, Regent's Park, N.W.
Mr. Charles B. Sworder, Lachmore, Epping.
At the suggestion of the chairman, hearty votes of thanks were passed
to the Rev. Mr. Prance, and to Mr. Hunter for throwing open the Hall for
inspection.
The chairman also alluded in feeling terms to the recent loss that
the Club and the county had sustained in the death of Alderman E. A.
Fitch, J.P., one of the early Presidents, and so highly esteemed for his
knowledge of some obscure groups of insects and the history of Essex.
Mr. W. Cole added some personal recollections, and he was asked as
Hon. Secretary to convey the sincere condolences of the Club to Mrs. Fitch.
AFTERNOON RIVER-SIDE RAMBLE BY THE RODING.
THE 410th MEETING.
Saturday, 2ist September 1912.
An informal meeting was held this afternoon, under the leadership
of Mr. C. Nicholson, Mr. R. Paulson, F.R.M.S., and Mr. Thompson. Mr.
W. Cole was away in the country, and unable to be present.
The object of the ramble was to study the botany and entomology of
the banks of the Roding between Chigwell Lane and Abridge, where a
typical river-side assemblage of flowering-plants occur. The way, about
21/2 miles, was partly by field-paths and partly through the open meadows.
Frequent demonstrations were given en route.
Tea at the "Blue Boar" at Abridge, of which little old town Sir
Walter Besant wrote in All in a Garden Fair :—"A town of which no-
body ever heard ; whither nobody goes ; a town of red-bricked gabled
houses, with red-tiled roofs, standing all huddled together in a circle, as
if there was once walls round it ; a strangely quiet town, which looks as
it it had never even heard of the outer world, and took no interest in any-
thing but itself."
Thence the road to Theydon Bois on the way home was taken, pausing
1 Mr. Edwin E. Turner writes that there is in the Park at Holfield Grange, Coggeshall, a
tree of this species of far greater dimensions, being in girth 10ft. 8in., and he believes there
are even bigger trees in the neighbourhood.