154 THE ESSEX NATURALIST
reddish tinge which attracted notice proved to be Chorthippus bicolor
Cha.
Good specimens of the Parasol Mushroom (Lepiota procera), the Horse
Mushroom (Psalliota arvensis) and the Inky Toadstool (Coprinus atramen-
tarius) were gathered, the last being in the unexpanded state. All these
species were pronounced fit for culinary purposes and were taken home
by some of the party who wished to try them. During the afternoon the
botanists were happy in finding many plants which abound on the chalky
boulder clay hereabouts.
Tea was taken at a restaurant in Bishop's Stortford and immediately after-
wards a short formal meeting was held in the motor-coach. Mr. Bernard
Ward, having been elected to the chair, expressed the Club's thanks to Mr.
Derek Ashwell for his kindness in conducting the party on such a profitable
tour. He then said that this would be the last field meeting to be organised
by Miss Hilbert. All were most sorry that, owing to her appointment to
King's Lynn Girls' High School, she had to relinquish her office as Excursions
Secretary. It was unanimously agreed that Miss Hilbert be asked to choose a
book to be presented to her by the Club as a small token of appreciation of
the efficient and enthusiastic way in which she had made the arrangements
for so many enjoyable field meetings during the last three seasons.
The Chairman then announced that Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ward had
been appointed by the Council of the Club to be Joint Excursions Secretaries
and handed them the whistle which has for so long been the badge of this office.
Mr. John Lord, junior, of The Post Office, Tollesbury, was elected a
junior member.
On the way home time was made for a short ramble in Wintry Wood,
Epping Forest, and Mr. Bernard Ward called attention to several forms of
galls which were in profusion on Oak leaves.
During the day an interesting list of flowering plants amounting to 121
species was compiled. Some of the more interesting were Traveller's Joy
(Clematis vitalba), Weld (Reseda luteola), Imperforate St. John's Wort (Hy-
pericum maculatum Cr.), Musk Mallow (Malva moschata), Water Dropwort
(Oenanthe fistulosa), Hemlock (Conium maculatum), Common Valerian
(Valeriana officinalis), Hemp Agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum), Stemless
Thistle (Cirsium acaule), Common Hound's-tongue (Cynoglossum officinale),
Great Mullein (Verbascum Thapsus), Wild Thyme (Thymus Serpyllum),
Hoary Plantain (Plantago media), Red-veined Dock (Rumex nemerosus),
Great Reedmace (Typha latifolia), and Branched Bur-reed (Sparganium
ramosum).
VISIT TO LITTLE TOTHAM AND TOLLESBURY (893rd Meeting)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH, 1948
Twenty-six members and friends made this excursion, leaving the
"Castle," Woodford, by motor-coach at 10 a.m. The day was warm and
sunny and the journey via Ongar, Chelmsford and Maldon through a coun-
tryside showing September at its best was thoroughly enjoyed. During a
short halt near Norton Heath an unsuccessful search was made for Bur-
pleurum falcatum which rare plant occurs hereabouts. A larva of a noctuid
moth, probably the Lychnis moth (Hadena bicruris), was found feeding in a
capsule of Silene inflata during this halt.
On arrival at Little Totham church the party was met by the Rector,
Rev. L. R. P. Butler, who had kindly undertaken to' show the church to the
visitors. It stands close by Little Totham Hall, a mile from the village and
was built in the 12th century as a manor chapel. From earliest times the
living has been united with that of Goldhanger. There are two Norman
doorways, the southern one with a finely carved arch. The tower was