l66 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
held at Burlington House, and some preliminary steps have already been
taken to carry the positive recommendations of the scheme into effect.
This example of co-operation emphasised the utility of regional congresses
or unions of scientific bodies for stimulating and co-ordinating effort. No
central national organisation, however useful as an ultimate co-ordinating
authority, could replace regional organisation whether amongst museums
or amongst other scientific institutions.
In conclusion Dr. Wheeler confessed to a feeling of envy for the com-
parative simplicity of co-operation in the researches which do not directly
relate to the handiwork of man. Much may be done regarding the
distribution, ecology, etc., of plants and animals by what may be called
relatively unskilled labour, but in archaeology unskilled labour is nearly
useless and semi-skilled labour, through misinterpretation, may even be
a positive danger.
In the discussion which followed Dr. Wheeler's address there was
general support for the idea of closer co-operation between local societies,
and some speakers were able to refer to the good results accruing from
cases of such co-operation known to them.
Mr. Robson, of the Natural History Museum, then brought forward
the subject of Zoological Surveys. He pointed out that this country lagged
behind several others in this respect. There was as yet no complete
account of the British fauna, although a nominal list was in preparation
by a Committee of the Association of British Zoologists. This was a
small beginning, and it was to be hoped that eventually a complete
biological survey of the British fauna would be undertaken.
A good deal of discussion arose out of this paper, chiefly concerned
with the methods of recording and publication, but although there was
agreement that more regional co-operation by local societies was required,
no very definite scheme was suggested.
At the second meeting of the delegates Mr. T. Sheppard dealt with
"The effects of pollution on the fauna and flora of rivers and the res-
ponsibility of local societies therein." He said that when complaints were
received about the deterioration of the River Hull from a fisherman's point
of view, a committee of the local Natural History Society was formed to
examine the matter. Reports had been obtained from observers of the
micro- and macro-scopic life which were regarded by the Ministry of Agri-
culture and Fisheries as being very valuable and had been published by
that Department.
Mr. Pentelow, of the Department, supported this and pointed out how
necessary it was to have information about the actual conditions of life
in rivers and streams which had not been polluted to form a basis of
comparison with the polluted ones.
Uncommon Butterflies in Hatfield Forest.
Our member, Mr. Geoffrey Dent, of Harlow, records in litt. that the
White Letter Hairstreak butterfly (Theela w-album) was seen numerously
in Hatfield Forest at the beginning of August, 1933. A few Silver-
washed Fritillaries (Argynnis paphia) were also observed there at same
time.—Ed.