REPORTS OF MEETINGS 315
of which had been partially dissected—and photographs of a Cuckoo reared
by him.
Mr. Syms showed a brass object which had been found at Woolwich and
brought to him for identification. The general opinion was that it was a
Chinese or Burmese incense burner of comparatively recent date.
Mr. Howard showed the Club's copy of the Comital Flora of the British
Isles which is being used by him to record the flora of Essex as observed by
members of the Club or preserved in the Club's herbarium or as mentioned
in The Essex Naturalist or in MS. documents in the possession of the Club.
He reported that since work was commenced at the end of August 1949 the
occurrence of 550 different species had been entered in the Comital Flora.
Entries include localities, dates, and names of observers and more than one
entry has been made against most species so as to afford an idea of its range.
Two hundred and fifty-three of the species mentioned have been entered
during 1950 and thirty-nine of these have been entered for the first time. The
alien Amsinckia angustifolia (Boraginaceae) was found by Mrs. E. Long in
a wheatfield at Lawford, Manningtree, in May 1950 and is recorded for the
first time. Another alien, Bunias orientalis, was observed by Mr. Bernard
Ward in a chalk pit at Grays in September 1949. The work has entailed the
reconciling of the nomenclature with that of the Check List of British Vascular
Plants (1946) compiled by Professor A. R. Clapham, which list was adopted
as a standard by the Council of the Club. He acknowledged with thanks
the valuable assistance of those members who had provided him with lists
of the plants found during the Club's field meetings.
Mr. E. F. Williams showed a series of the Meadow Brown butterfly
(Maniola jurtina) to illustrate the variation between specimens from various
Irish localities and Essex specimens.
Mr. Waller showed under the microscope slides of Foramiferae from the
chalk at Grays.
Mr. Bernard Ward showed two females of the fly Volucella zonaria, both
taken by Mr. Pratt, one at Eastbourne in August and one at Leytonstone
in September. The latter appears to be a new record for the county of Essex.
They were exhibited with specimens of Volucella inanis for comparison.
He also showed photographs of Colchester from the Photographic Survey
and a collection of dragonflies prepared by him for exhibition in the Museum.
Mr. Bernard Ward also spoke of the forthcoming survey of the Epping
Forest ponds which was to be undertaken by the Club and illustrated his
remarks by some lantern slides showing the changes taking place year by
year in several of these ponds.
The President showed the core of a cow's horn from a Roman layer to
illustrate the effect on such material of burial for nearly 2000 years. He also
showed boar's tusks for comparison.
After the meeting members gathered for tea in the refectory of the College.
Ordinary Meeting (928th Meeting)
SATURDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 1950
This meeting took place at 3 p.m. in the Physics Lecture Theatre of the
West Ham Municipal College with the President, Mr. Laurence S. Harley,
in the chair. Forty-four members and friends were present.
The following four persons were elected to membership :
Miss J. K. Bell, of 105, Honey Lane, Waltham Abbey, Essex.
Mr. E. N. Green, of The Red House, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire.
Mr. T. R. Renshaw, of 25, Babington Road, Romford.
Mr. J. Sedgwick, of 24, Woodfield Drive, Gidea Park.
The names of ten candidates for membership were read for the first time.
Mr. Broughton showed a small collection of shells to illustrate the use
of plastic wood for the purpose of mounting such objects for exhibition.