THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
229
and making notable growth; the same hepatic was also seen growing in
small quantity on a neighbouring crab trunk, so that its future seems to
be assured in this station, at all events for some years to come.
After tea at the Roserville Retreat at Highbeach, a short meeting of
the Club was held, with Sir Arthur Smith Woodward, F.R.S., presiding,
when the several conductors were called upon for their reports on the day's
finds.
Mr. St. John Marriott reported that the hepatics found comprised
thirteen species, with a doubtful fourteenth. He referred to the re-
discovery of Ptilidium pulcherrimum.
Mr. Sherrin said 43 species of mosses, representing 20 genera, was his
contribution to the day; he considered it a good total. Later, Mr. Sherrin
reported that Sphagnum papillosum had been found by him during the
Foray; this is a new record for the Forest, and probably for Essex. The
specimen has been placed in the Club's museum.
Mr. Paulson reported that 18 forms of lichens had been seen, an average
number for the Foray.
Miss Lister reported a "bag" of twenty-one myxomycetes, which
included Physarum bitectum Lister, which was abundant on dead leaves
under rhododendrons at Oak Hill, Physarum vernum Somm., Colloderma
oculatum (Lipp.) G. Lister, and Cribraria vulgaris Schrad., var. aurantiaca,
which was found growing on oak wood; the total of 21 forms may be
regarded as a good result in view of the lateness of the season.
The thanks of those present were warmly accorded to the conductors
for their services, and the meeting broke up.
ORDINARY MEETING (604th MEETING).
SATURDAY, 28TH NOVEMBER, 1925.
The second meeting of the Winter Session was held as usual in the
Physics Lecture Theatre of the Municipal College, Romford Road, Strat-
ford, the President, Sir Arthur Smith Woodward, F.R.S., in the chair.
About 50 members and visitors were present.
Miss B. d'Avigdor, of 6, Drayton Gardens, S.W.10, was elected a member
of the Club. One certificate of nomination was read.
Mr. Avery exhibited a series of 26 topographical prints and water-
colour drawings of Essex from his collection.
Mr. Hugh Main exhibited living specimens and nests of a Trap-door
Spider, Nemesia congener, from the South of France, and also lantern-
photographs of nests of these spiders taken in situ by himself and of nests
of the British Trap-door Spider, Atypus affinis, from Highbeach.
Mr. Dennis exhibited a frond of the variety acuto-sarratum of the
Common Polypody fern, Polypodium vulgare, which he had found in the
spring of 1923 growing wild on a hedge bank near Halstead.
Mr. Thorrington furnishes the following account of the specimen:—
"This particular form is the var. acuto-serratum, and has its pinnae and
terminal much produced, so that the frond is considerably larger than in
the type species. A well-developed mass of this variety, therefore, produces
a fine effect, and might almost suggest the growth of some of its exotic
congeners. Probably the 'Irish Polypody' or 'Dargle Fern' (var.
P