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THE ESSEX NATURALIST
November 1st. Two Small Tortoiseshells. 7th. Two Sprawlers and
Thorns came to light. 11th. Three Small Tortoiseshells at flowers. This
was the last observation made this year, no Convolvulus Hawks.
Elephant Hawks nor Small Elephant Hawks having been seen.
REPORT OF COUNCIL FOR 1958
The year has seen little marked variation in the customary rhythm
of the Club's activities. Progress continues to be made in the
scientific aspects of the Club's work, and this, coupled with con-
tinued efforts to include popular interest in Club activities, has provided
interest for all members.
Six field meetings have been held in the course of the year. The
annual Fungus Foray in Epping Forest was, as usual, well attended, as
also was a meeting devoted to the study of grasses in Weald Park.
Full reports of these and other meetings appear elsewhere. The indoor
meetings covered all aspects of the Club's interest and were attended
by from twenty-eight to thirty-eight persons. The revival of an indoor
meeting in mid-December was well received, when twenty-eight persons
were present. The Council wishes to acknowledge the valuable help and
co-operation of Mr. K. Marshall in attending to many of the details at
those meetings, and particularly for placing the Lecture Room of the
Passmore Edwards Museum at the Club's disposal.
Group Meetings arranged by three of the Club's Recorders were an
innovation of the year. Two of these were very poorly attended, but
the third meeting was considered to be highly successful by those who
participated. The Council wishes to encourage members to attend these
meetings, at which persons interested in a special subject can meet
under expert guidance. The Group Meetings are intended to appeal as
much to the beginner as to the expert specialist, and they represent an
opportunity to contribute collectively to knowledge of aspects of the
local flora and fauna.
The Club's membership during the year has risen by twenty-nine: the
total now stands at 232. There have been six resignations, two deletions
from the list of members, and five members have died. The Council
notes with deep regret the decease of the following members-: Mr.
S. Hazzledine Warren, a Vice-President and member of the Club since
1906; Mr. S. L. Bensusan, an Honorary Member; Mr. J. G. Mathieson.
a member for fifty years; Mr. C. Whitwell, who joined the Club in
1919; and Mrs. K. Gilmour. Of the thirty-seven persons who joined the
Club in 1958. eleven were Junior Members. In addition the Council has
been pleased to admit into affiliation with the Club five schools, or
school societies, and we look forward to the Club helping their mem-
bers in the appreciation and the study of the natural history and the
antiquities of the County.