162
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
for his leadership during the afternoon, and to Mrs. Buxton and him for
their kindly hospitality. He referred appreciatively to Mr. Buxton's zeal
in thinning the crowded portions of the Forest, and spoke of the enhanced
beauty of the woodlands which had been due to his efforts.
The vote of thanks was passed by acclamation.
Mr. Buxton, in thanking the members for their kind vote, apologised
for not having thinned the Forest sufficiently! He did his utmost, and
would like to do more, but his hands were tied. Referring to Mr. Cole's
death, he remarked that his father, Mr. Edward North Buxton, who was now
81 years old, had told him how strenuously and successfully Mr. Cole had
defended the policy of thinning in the Forest in the early days of the Club,
when ignorant persons sought to inflame public opinion against this
enlightened action of the Verderers.
The grounds of Birch Hall were then viewed, under the guidance of our
host and hostess. The rare grass, Cynosurus echinatus L. was noticed grow-
ing on a waste-heap in the grounds, and a specimen was taken for the Club's
herbarium.
On the way to the station a cottage, which has come into Mr. Buxton's
possession, and has been restored by him so as to bring to light the old oak
ceiling beams, was inspected.
Leave was then taken of our host, and the 7 o'clock train caught for
town.
NATURE-RAMBLE IN THE HUTTON DISTRICT
(551st MEETING.)
SATURDAY, 23RD SEPTEMBER, 1922.
This field-meeting was an outcome of the visit paid, at the invitation
of Mr. and Mrs. James Keeves, to their hospitable home at "Haslemere,"
Hutton Mount, during the summer of 1921. It was suggested on that
occasion that an investigation of the extensive woodlands then traversed,
if made in the autumn season, might be productive of good results as regards
the Fungi, and an old-time reproach levelled at the Club that its Fungus
Forays were always held in Epping Forest, would thus be removed. Mr.
Keeves, having whole-heartedly fallen in with this suggestion, and having
renewed his invitation to the Club, the present meeting was arranged.
Some thirty members attended, and assembled at Shenfield Station at
11.21 o'clock.
Our host, Mr. James Keeves, was the topographical guide to the party;
the President and Miss G. Lister jointly acted as referees in naming the
wild flowers and fungi collected.
Some time was devoted to an exploration of the abandoned brickfield
adjoining the railway line at Shenfield, and this proved to be overrun with
wild plants and with a lesser number of garden plants run wild, and yielded
many interesting finds.
Thrift Wood was then traversed, and, after a short cross-country walk,
South Hove Wood, diligent search being made all along the route by the
slowly moving party for botanical specimens. Lunch was consumed at
an early stage, before the woodlands were entered.