232 THE ESSEX NATURALIST
after the very hot walk by a welcome wash and brush up. All then sat down
to a most enjoyable tea very kindly provided by our hosts Mr. and Mrs.
Williams.
After the tea permission was sought and obtained to hold the usual
formal meeting of the Club and Mr. Pratt was elected to the chair. The
Chairman commenced the proceedings by voicing the thanks of those present
to Mr. and Mrs. Williams for their hospitality and members endorsed his
remarks by hearty applause.
The following were elected to membership :
Miss S. Green, of 38, Buckingham Road, Woodford, E.18.
Mr. R. May, of 72, Henniker Road, Stratford, E.15.
Mrs. D. M. Williams and
Mr. E. P. Williams, both of Warley Lea, Great Warley, Brentwood.
Miss Male was then asked to comment on the botanical finds of the day
and this she did in a most interesting manner. Mr. Williams spoke of the
insects seen and a general discussion on points of interest followed.
After the meeting some considerable time was spent in the beautifully
situated grounds of Warley Lea. The view from the lawns on such a lovely
summer evening was much enjoyed, the hills of Kent and the chalk quarries
at Grays being plainly visible. A bog on the estate provided much of interest
to botanists and entomologists and the fruit and vegetables being grown for
market by our host were inspected. The gardens contain many interesting
cultivated plants and shrubs some of which no doubt emanated from the
once celebrated gardens of the late Miss Wilmott at Warley Place nearby.
When the time came for members reluctantly to leave these lovely sur-
roundings leaves were taken, personal thanks were said and our host rounded
off a very enjoyable day by providing transport to Brentwood Station.
One hundred and twenty-two species of plants were found in flower or
fruit during the day and Mr. Howard reports on the list as follows : The
early date of blooming of a number of the plants effected by the unusually
sunny and hot weather for many weeks was noticeable ; several of those
recorded are not as a rule found with open flowers until mid-August, e.g.,
Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia). Marsh Woundwort (Stachys palustris),
Angelica sylvestris, Hemlock (Conium maculatum), Devil's bit Scabious
(Scabiosa Succisa), Flea-bane (Pulicaria dysenterica), etc.
Some other plants seen were of special interest, such as Musk Mallow
(Malva moschata), Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus Frangula), Tansy (Tanacetum
vulgare), Oxford Ragwort (Senecio squalidus), Rumex sanguineus and Ivy-
leaved Toadflax (Linaria Cymbalaria).
Visit to Maldon (910th Meeting)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 21 ST, 1949
Sixteen members travelled by train to Maldon and were there met by the
President, Mr. L. S. Harley, who was to lead the meeting, and six other
members. The party then totalled twenty-three and a start was soon made
to see some of the ancient buildings of the interesting old town. Crossing
the bridge over the Blackwater, the approximate locality of the battle between
the Danes and Saxons was pointed out. The hill was then ascended to the
Blue Boar Inn. Here the party was able to partake of a little welcome
refreshment, the while admiring the early fourteenth century woodwork of
the interior.
The Theological Library of Dr. Plume was next visited. Situated in the
upper storey of a brick building which replaces the nave of the church of
St. Peter which fell in 1665, the library is approached by climbing the narrow
winding stairway of the fifteenth century church tower. The Librarian,