THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
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ship approved applicants who contribute an annual donation of not less
than 2s. 6d. to cover cost of printing and postage of notices of lectures, etc.
The British herbarium comprises at present 29,200 sheets of indigenous
and alien plants. A special feature of this department is the collection
of dried specimens of seedlings, at various stages of growth, comprising
about 1,414 species, representing 474 genera and 76 families. There is a
system of seed exchange, of which many visitors who desire to grow
British plants have availed themselves.
A Cryptogamic herbarium is now being formed. Donations of mosses
have been received from the Trustees of the British Museum, Mr. H. N.
Dixon, F.L.S, (author of the Student's Handbook of British Mosses), Mr.
W. R. Sherrin (referee to the Moss Exchange Club), and Mr. A. H. Carter.
At present, there are upwards of 900 sheets of mosses completed, represent-
ing over 500 species.
Various species of Lichens have been received from Mr. W. R. Sherrin
and Mr. R. Paulson, and a few hepaticae have been mounted from Mr.
Townsend's collection. A compound microscope has recently been pur-
chased from Mr. Chas. Baker, of Holborn, and a valuable set of moss-
slides has been received from Mr. Sherrin, in exchange for a surplus copy
of Sowerby's English Botany.
The Library contains about 1,000 volumes, comprising the leading
English Text-books in Botany, the more important European Floras,
the British General and County Floras, De Candolle's Prodromus, the
Index Kewensis, etc.
Evening lectures on Botanical subjects are occasionally given, and to
these a limited number of persons are admitted free, by tickets previously
obtained from the Curator.
Further, there is a small garden included in the premises, where many
interesting British plants may be seen growing.
The Report on the work of the Institute during 1913-14 was distributed
to those present. It may be noted that among the Fellows elected under
the memorandum of Association are two esteemed members of the Essex
Field Club—Professor G. S. Boulger, F.L.S., and Mr. Robert Paulson,
F.L.S.
The Herbarium and Library may be consulted by persons interested in
Botany on Mondays and Wednesdays, between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. ; on
Saturdays between 2 p.m. and 8p.m. ; and other week-days between 10a.m .
and 5 p.m. The nearest railway station is Tulse Hill (L.B. & S.C. Railway).
Electric cars and motor omnibuses from Victoria, Somerset House, etc.,
pass the door.
Miss Griffin acted most efficiently as demonstrator, and an instructive
time was spent in inspecting the herbarium and library and the Botanical
Garden, which, though small, contains an interesting collection of British
Wild Plants. At the close, Miss Griffin was warmly thanked for her
kindness and attention.
After lunch at a restaurant, the Physic Garden, in the Royal Hospital
Road, Chelsea, was reached by motor bus and rail, and there the party
was welcomed by Mr. William Hales, the Curator, and by Mr. Hazzledine
Warren, President of the Club, and Mrs. Warren.
This, the oldest Botanic Garden now existing in the Metropolis, was