134
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
or so to the south, in the level country below the hill. Of the correct
identification of the plant, I feel no doubt ; for I am familiar with it in its
well-known locality at Ventnor, and I have also seen it in Devonshire and
on the Continent. Its large size and its great dark-green unspotted sagit-
tate leaves serve to distinguish it at a glance from the common Arum
maculatum. Miller Christy.
Mistletoe on the Oak.—In the issue of the Observer for January 4,
1925, Mrs. Grace A. Blyth, of Ingatestone, described "a fine specimen of
mistletoe oak almost overhanging the London—Chelmsford Road, about
two miles from Chelmsford." Mr. Miller Christy, feeling doubtful as to
this record. owing to the extreme rarity of Mistletoe growing on an oak,
suggested that, as I lived near the spot, I should go and ascertain the
real facts ; this I have recently done. I find that, as Mr. Christy sur-
mised, the tree in question is not an Oak ; but, as it is quite dead and much
decayed, there is some difficulty in deciding what it really is. I believe,
however, that it is a Poplar. In any case, it is a large tree, standing among
a number of other trees close to the road. On it were several large plants
of Mistletoe, and another large one grew on a branch which was blown off
some time ago. I could see no other plants of Mistletoe near, except two
small specimens on Lime trees. This disposes, I think, of the statement
that we have in this neighbourhood an instance of Mistletoe growing on an
oak-tree. H. Mothersole.
BOOK NOTICES.
Geology of the Country around Dartford.—Geological Survey
Memoir, 1924, 3s. net.
Although this Memoir deals chiefly with the north-west portion of
Kent, its scope has been extended to include the neighbouring southern
portion of Essex, and many references are given to sections at Grays,
Chadwell St. Mary, East Tilbury and elsewhere ; for which reason the
volume is likely to be of considerable service to local Essex geologists.
The late Mr. Whitaker's recent work on I he Water Supply of Essex, and
the Essex Naturalist, have been largely drawn upon for detailed
information.
Geology of the Country around Hertford, Geol. Surv. Mem.,
1924, 1s. 6d. net.
This Memoir takes in the upper portion of the Lea Valley, but contains
only cursory reference to Essex localities.
The Geology of North London. Geol. Surv. Mem., 1925, 1s. 6d. net.
The area covered by this Memoir includes the lower Lea Valley and a
small extent of the country lying immediately to the east ; the work comes,
therefore, within the purview of Essex geologists. The results recorded
by various writers in the Essex Naturalist are duly incorporated and
acknowledged.
The above Memoirs are obtainable at H.M. Stationery Office, Imperial
House, Kingsway, W.C.2.