116
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
Mr. Scourfield exhibited under a microscope specimens of an alga,
one of the Dinophyceae, possibly a Glenodinium, a free-swimming form with
two flagellae, which was gathered from a pool near the " Wake Arms " in
Epping Forest, where its great numbers tinged the water brown.
The Curator showed various objects from the Mothersole Bequest to the
Club, including a large (imperfect) Bronze Age burial urn, from Chelmsford,
a Bronze Founder's Hoard of eleven pieces from Little Baddow, and a
curious Hayfork, grown naturally from a trained hedge plant, which was
used for tossing hay before the introduction of horse-rakes and other
haymaking machinery : this came from the Chelmsford neighbourhood.
The Curator also showed 24 photographs of the Colne Engaine district,
taken by Mr. A. W. Dennis and presented by him to the Club's collection.
Mr. Thompson further exhibited a right tibia of the Aurochs, Bos
primigenius, which with other bones had recently been excavated from the
Alluvium of the Lea Valley at Nazing. For comparison, a right tibia of a
modern Ox was shown, to give some idea of the great size of B, primigenius.
A series of 43 photographs and prints of Rochford, Leigh and Southend
was shown from the Pictorial Survey collection.
Miss G. Lister made some observations on the occurrence of Hottonia
palustris, the Water Violet, in Epping Forest ponds, in illustration of a
water-colour drawing by the late Miss Isabella Lister which she had recently
presented to the Museum and which showed Hottonia growing in a pond by
Gilberts Slade.
The President produced and remarked on a number of letters written
by Benjamin Meggot Forster to James Sowerby with reference to certain
fungi, which betrayed a critical knowledge of the forms discussed.2!1
Dr. Jane read a paper, illustrated by several lantern-photographs, on
"Some Fungi in Wood," with special reference to those fungi which, by
their action on the growing timber, produce ornamental varieties: he
mentioned that "brown oak" is caused by the "beefsteak fungus,"
Fistulina hepatica, and others, also that the beautiful figure of bird's eye
maple is due to the attack of a fungus on the growing cambium of the wood.
The President added some remarks on various points, and the hearty
thanks of the meeting were accorded to Dr. Jane for his communication.
VISIT TO SOUTHEND-ON-SEA (784TH MEETING).
SATURDAY, 15TH JANUARY, 1938.
An all-day excursion in mid-winter was arranged by the Excursions
Secretary as somewhat of an experiment, and proved an entire success.
The weather was kind, except for a strong wind which made the twenty-five
members who took part in the meeting glad to seek the shelter afforded by
the various buildings visited.
Arrived at Southend station at 10.45 the first dozen arrivals walked to
"Porters," a delightful 16th century manor house now belonging to the
Corporation and used for civic purposes; this was inspected inside and
out by special permission of the Mayor, Saturday being normally a
close day for visitors. The central Hall has linen-patterned wall panelling,
with five boldly carved oak panels of foreign workmanship and a late 16th
29 After the meeting the President presented to the Library six letters, four from B. M.
Forster and two from his brother, Thomas Furly Forster, all addressed to Sowerby.