158
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
opportunity was taken to inspect the site of the contemplated new "North
Circular Road," which is to cut across a corner of the Forest, and also to
view a small piece of woodland near Sky Peals at Hale End, which is to be
thrown into the Forest by way of compensation. Our member, Mr. Gerald
Buxton, J.P., who is a Verderer of the Forest, acted as guide.
Some 50 members assembled at Snaresbrook Station at 2.30 o'clock,
and proceeded under Mr. Buxton's guidance past the Eagle Pond and through
Gilbert Slade to the neighbourhood of the "Rising Sun" Inn. Here a
well-known Forest swamp, "Bullrush Pond," now pleasantly filled with
rushes and other marsh plants, was pointed out, and we learned with regret
that a scheme is afoot locally to "improve" this picturesque spot into an
artificial, concrete-bottomed pond to meet the "aesthetic" tastes of some
local vandals—of course at the expense of the natural amenities of the spot.
It is to be hoped that the scheme may fail to mature.
Proceeding through the woodland and past the Waterworks, the course
of the proposed new road was followed to Sky Peals: a small pond close to
the road, and adjoining the new piece of woodland, delighted the visitors by
a profusion of the beautiful Water Violet (Hottonia palustris) in full flower,
all happily out of reach. The new woodland is of only some two acres or
less in extent, but contains some tall spear hornbeams, which will be speci-
ally cherished by the fostering care of the verderers. The new piece of
woodland is a typical "oak hornbeam" wood, and will form a valuable,
although small, addition to the Forest. Continuing through the thick
towards Oak Hill, a fine Wild Service Tree (Pyrus torminalis) in abundant
flower was noticed—a glorious sight. A less-pleasing incident was an in-
cipient Forest fire, well alight beneath a holly bush, no doubt the result
of a careless visitor's thrown-down match; this was fortunately capable
of being vigorously stamped out by Mr. Buxton. The defoliating cater-
pillars of various Tortricid moths were only too abundant, on, or hanging
from, the oaks in this district.
Crossing the roadway at Oak Hill, some magnificent hawthorn bushes
were noticed near the entrance to Higham's Park, each a mass of white
bloom. The party proceeded through the Park, by the lakeside, and thence
across Whitehall Plain to Woodford; where, at his residence in Snakes Lane,
our honorary treasurer, Mr. John Avery, and Mrs. Avery, welcomed the party
to afternoon tea on the picturesque lawn.
After tea a short formal meeting of the Club was held on the lawn, with
the president (Mr. R. Paulson, F.L.S., F.R.M.S.) in the chair, when
Miss M. Meekings Johnson, of West Ham Hall, Wanstead, E.11, and
Mr. Johnson Shears Jeffree, of the Metropolitan Water Board, Copper
Mill Lane, Walthamstow, E.17.
were duly elected members.
The President proposed the cordial thanks of the party to our host and
hostess for their kindly hospitality, and to Mr. Gerald Buxton for his leader-
ship throughout the ramble.
Mr. Paulson referred eulogistically to the long services to the Forest rend-
ered by Mr. Buxton and his father, Mr. Edward North Buxton, and evoked
hearty agreement from his hearers, the double vote of thanks being carried
by acclamation.