THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
239
in Forster's handwriting to the pages of the Plants on which his annota-
tions concerning the particular species are written.
Mr. Thompson exhibited, on behalf of Mr. Walter Wilson, a series of
48 beetles recorded from a small forest-side garden at Walthamstow,
and read for the author an account of the exhibit under the title, "The
Beetles of a Forest-side Garden."
Thanks were accorded to the several exhibitors and donors.
Mr. Mothersole read a paper "On some Modern Uses of Pebbles from
Essex Gravels," which he illustrated by a few lantern slides and by the
exhibition of specimens.
Mr. Mothersole referred to the manifold economic uses of pebbles
in building walls and as pavings ("cobbles") as playthings by children,
and for temporary purposes, such as door stops and the like. He touched
on the once common use in Essex of a large quartz pebble as an oven
"clock," the stone when heated to a red glow indicating the time to draw
the fire and to insert the dough in the then-universal brick oven. Mr.
Mothersole specially treated of the employment of large pebbles as paint-
mullers, a use going back possibly even to pre-historic times, and which
persisted until within living memory, and exhibited specimens of these
from the County, and also a copy of a 15th century illuminated MS., which
showed an identical form of pigment-mullet in use.
Thanks were accorded to the author for his paper.
Mr. Francis Reader read a paper on "The Essex Red Hills," which
he accompanied by a large number of lantern photographs and maps,
and in further illustration of which some of the relics preserved in the
Stratford Museum, coming from the Red Hills, were exhibited.
A discussion followed, in which Mr. Warren, Mr. Miller Christy and others
took part, and the lecturer replied to various questions.
Thanks were passed, by acclamation, to Mr. Reader for his com-
munication, and the meeting was then declared closed.
ESSEX FIELD CLUB
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL.
Presented to the Annual Meeting, 27TH March, 1926.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives your Council the utmost pleasure to report that the work of
the Club has progressed smoothly and satisfactorily during the year.
Nine Field Meetings or meetings away from headquarters, have been
held in various parts of the County, which have been well attended by
Members: the Club owes grateful thanks to Miss Nina Layard, Mr.
and Mrs. John Avery, and Mr. and Mrs. James Keeves, for hospitality
kindly offered on these occasions.
At the five indoor meetings at Stratford, papers of distinct scientific
value have been read by members to appreciative audiences, as is evidenced
by the good attendances, exceeding fifty at each meeting.
Two further parts of the Essex Naturalist have appeared during the
year, at regular intervals, and the editor ventures to express his belief
that the high level of the Club's journal in the past has been fully main-
tained in these latest productions.