238 THE ESSEX NATURALIST
radial and concentric structure and a flint with the beginning of concretion
formed by calcareous alga from an old channel of the River Lea at Brox-
bourne covered by Boreal Peat. He also showed a specimen of Haematite—
a chemical alteration of the Iron Pyrites of the Lower Eocene deposits. It
occurs, sometimes in large blocks, in the Flood-plain gravels of the River
Lea at Cheshunt, and is sometimes taken to be brick by the uninitiated.
Professor Jane and Mr. Waller took part in the discussion which followed
and Mr. Waller took samples of the algal concretion for examination under
the microscope.
Mr. Broughton showed specimens of fishes collected in the River Roding
between Ongar and Fyfield by the S.W. Essex Technical College Field Club
(see p. 207). The hope was expressed that further contributions from this
source would be forthcoming as little local work on the fishes appeared to
have been done of late.
Mrs. Richard Ward showed a seedling Date Palm grown in her garden
at Goodmayes. The seed of this plant is usually shy of germination in the
open in this country.
Mr. Howard showed a copy of Druce's Comital Flora of the British Isles
which he had begun to annotate with Essex records on behalf of the Club.
The project was warmly commended by Professor Jane and Mr. Thompson,
who called attention to the desirability of adding older records from the
MSS. in the Museum.
Dr. Rudge then gave his lecture on "Evidence for a Neolithic Trackway
in Essex." The discourse embodied the results of much investigation carried
out during the past summer by the lecturer and Mrs. Rudge on the dis-
position of conglomerate or puddingstone boulders. While avoiding any
definite conclusions on the meaning of his discoveries Dr. Rudge placed the
extremely interesting and very suggestive facts which he had so far ascer-
tained before the Club with an affirmation of his determination to elucidate
the "missing links" as opportunity offered (see p. 172).
The lecture was profusely illustrated by lantern slides of photographs
taken by the author who acknowledged the great help he had received
from Mrs. Rudge during his investigations. Several members joined in the
discussion which followed and the meeting ended at 5 p.m.
The pre-war custom of members taking tea together on the premises was
resumed after this meeting when all met by courtesy of the West Ham Edu-
cation Committee for very enjoyable buffet refreshments in the refectory of
the College.
Cryptogam Foray (914th Meeting)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH, 1949
Some thirty members and friends met at Loughton for the last field
meeting of the year. A few minutes after 11 a.m. the party moved off into
the Forest, led by Mr. J. H. G. Peterken, F.L.S.
From Baldwin's Hill looking over to Blackweir Hill the Forest was a
blaze of golden yellows and browns in the sunshine :
"No Spring, nor Summer beauty hath such grace,
As I have seen in one Autumnal face." Donne.
It did seem that the year was growing old gracefully.
The members threaded their way through the damp woods, grateful
for nailed shoes and gumboots. The first stop was made at Golding's
Hill Pond and the party was soon grubbing like reindeer for the mosses and
liverworts, the referee being kept busy naming the specimens. Moving off
down the hill into the valley feeding Baldwin's Pond and following the
stream, a course was set for Great Monk Wood, where lunch was taken.