THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
91
It was noticed that, since our previous visit, the collection of natural
"history specimens possessed by Gilwell has been re-arranged and neatly
labelled, so that they are now of great use in teaching the Scouts some
aspects at least of wood-lore.
A handsome oak screen has also been erected towards one end of the
Troop Room, where tea was served to the visitors at 4.30 o'clock.
Several photographs were taken during the afternoon, by permission
of the authorities, of the Hall and its surroundings, for the Club's Pictorial
Survey collection.
Before taking leave, the Honorary Secretary, on behalf of the party,
thanked Mr. Welsh for his kindly services : and Mr. Welsh made a suitable
reply.
Unhappily the weather, which had been threatening for some time,
now became worse and the return walk to Chingford railway station had
to be made through a heavy shower, which, however, came too late
wholly to mar the enjoyment of the day.
During the ramble of the earlier part of the day, Miss Greaves and Miss
Prince acted as recorders of the wild-flowers met with, in all 44 species:
but no uncommon plants were found.
VISIT TO THE GRAYS CHALK QUARRIES (673RD
MEETING).
SATURDAY, 31ST MAY, 1930.
The Club has on several previous occasions visited these extensive
and now largely overgrown chalk pits for the purpose of investigating their
botany and geology: it was felt that the scientific results likely to be
obtained by a further investigation would justify a repeat visit. The
necessary permission of the owners, the Grays Chalk Quarries Co. Ltd.,
was again readily accorded, and the visit accordingly arranged.
The party of just over 20 members reached Grays at 10.54 o'clock and
at once made its way to the quarries, where the morning was spent in
collecting the abundant wild plants which now clothe the disused lower
workings. A goodly number of plants of characteristic calciphilous
facies was noted, but, in view of the backward season, it was realised
by the visitors that, had the meeting been fixed lor a fortnight later, a
considerably longer list of wild flowers would have been recorded, many
of those noted on former occasions being seen not yet in bud and so not
eligible for inclusion in the list, which however included:—
Papaver Rhoeas Bryonia dioica
Lepidium Draba Daucus carota
Reseda luteola Cornus sanguinea
Silene Cucubalus Galium mollugo
Linum catharticum Kentranthus ruber
Medicago lupulina Crepis virens
M. sativa Hieracium pilosella
Lotus corniculatus Tragopogon pratensis
Lathyrus Aphaca Cynoglossum officinale
Rubus caesius Rhinanthus Crista-galli
Fragaria vesca Lamium amplexicaule
Poterium Sanguisorba Listera ovaca
and the fern, Ophioglossum vulgatum