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THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
BOTANICAL RAMBLE, SEWARDSTONE AND HIGH
BEACH (475th MEETING).
SATURDAY, 23RD JUNE 1917.
This ramble was arranged to give Members an opportunity of botanising
along the Sewardstone margin of Epping Forest, a district remarkable
for its green bridle-paths and for the extensive views obtained westwards
over the Lea valley into Middlesex and Hertfordshire. Mr. James Groves,
F.L.S., acted as Conductor. Some 20 members took part in the ramble,
and others joined later. Starting from Chingford station at 2.30 o'clock,
the party struck across Chingford Plain to Bury Wood, noting Elodea cana-
densis in flower in some of the ponds, and so to Yardley Hill, enjoying the
glorious views which opened up from time to time ; thence along Gillwell
Lane to Sewardstone Green, where Conium maculatum was observed
in a wayside hedge ; thence by the green bridle-paths to Mott Street,
and up the "heavy hill" through High Beach village to the high grounds
of the Forest near High Beach church. Adder's-tongue fern (Ophioglossum
vulgare) was found in a particularly damp spot in one of the green lanes,
and the uncommon grass, Apera spica-venti, was numerous in a field
near Leppitt's Hill. On the Forest, Briza media and Triodia decumbens
were interesting grasses noted at High Beach, but Alopecurus fulvus was
sought in vain in an old station.
Tea was taken at the Roserville Retreat, High Beach, at 6 o'clock,
after a ramble of some four miles ; after which the party made their way
back through the woodlands to Loughton and Chingford stations for
their homeward trains.
CROSS-COUNTRY NATURE-RAMBLE FROM LOUGHTON
TO ABRIDGE (476th MEETING).
SATURDAY, I.5TH SEPTEMBER 19I7.
This very successful ramble was arranged to allow of the study
of the early-autumn botany of the district, along a route, about five
miles long, which included country lanes, field paths, bridle paths, a wood,
and river meadows. Thirty-six members and friends availed themselves
of the opportunity, and marshalled themselves at Loughton station
shortly after 2 o'clock, under the leadership of the President, Mr. R.
Paulson, F.L.S., and Mr. D. J. Scourfield, F.Z.S.
Many interesting plants were noted during the afternoon, particularly
in the wood known as "Loughton Shaws" (which was kindly thrown
open to the party by our Member, Mr. William Whitaker Maitland. Lord
of the Manor of Loughton), where Galeopsis tetrahit, Angelica sylvestris,
Epilobium angustifolium, and Carex pendula were noted ; also along
the old disused road between the wood and Abridge, where Scleranthus
annuus, Ranunculus hederaceus, Linaria vulgaris, Pimpinella saxifraga,
and Senecio sylvatica were observed. Along the Roding bank towards
Abridge, one large tree of Rhamnus catharticus, and also a bush of the
same with very abundant clusters of fruit, were observed ; also Humulus
lupulus, with its beautiful fruits and numbers of sloe berries. Thalictrum
flavum, Stellaria aquatica, and numerous other riverside plants were noted.
The Great Water Dock, Rumex hydrolapathum, was noticed in the bed