214 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
Forest over a wide area, and which militates against the quiet and
peaceable enjoyment of the Forest as intended by the Epping Forest
Act."
The motion was seconded by Mr. Ramsbottom, and on being put
was carried without dissentient.
The proceedings then terminated.
REPORT OF THE CLUB'S DELEGATE TO THE
MEETING OP THE CONFERENCE OF DELE-
GATES TO THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION, 1928.
By JOSEPH WILSON, F.R.M.S.
AT the request of your Secretary I represented the Essex Field Club
at the Conference of Delegates at the British Association's meeting
held in Glasgow on September 5th—12th, 1928.
The first meeting of the Conference was held on Thursday, September
6th, when the President of the Conference, Dr. Vaughan Cornish, delivered
his introductory address on "The Preservation of Scenic Beauty in Town
and Country."
Some 40 delegates were present, and the meeting was held in one of
the halls of the University buildings.
In the course of his address, the President referred to the changes in
the country scenery which take place from generation to generation,
and remarked that it was necessary to discover the combination of causes
which effect these changes. In his opinion the smoke nuisance wrought
deleterious effects on trees and vegetation generally. He gave a graphic
description of the Lake District and the effects of smoke on vegetation,
as well as by obscuring the buildings in cities, towns and the country-
side. Dr. Cornish also referred to the destruction of trees and to the
scantiness in planting of young trees, and to the operations of the builder
in erecting houses without paying regard to the scenic beauty of the
district, especially in towns and seaside places. He said it was the duty
of the academic world to educate the nation in the appreciation of its
heritage of scenery. When the benefits of scenic beauty were thus
extended the people would guard the goodly heritage.
At the conclusion of his address he called upon Dr. Gibson, of the
Royal Philosophical Society, Glasgow, to move the following resolution :—
"That the British Association for the Advancement of Science should
urge His Majesty's Government to stimulate the employment by local
authorities of the powers already conferred upon them by Parliament
for the preservation of Scenic Beauty, in Town and Country."
Dr. Gibson, in proposing this resolution, strongly condemned the
desecration of the countryside by the Hydro-Electric Power Scheme,
dealing with Lanarkshire and the Western highlands.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Thomas Sheppard, of Hull, and
supported by the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, who unfavourably