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have been the work of the Ancient Britons, and the Camp at
Ambresbury Banks that of their Roman enemies.*
That surviving remnant of primitive forest, of some 4,900
acres, which we claim as the chief centre of our studies, is, by
Act of Parliament, to remain for ever unenclosed and unbuilt
upon ; and, as a Society founded for promoting a knowledge
of the natural history of the neighbourhood, we cannot but
rejoice that such a state of affairs has been established—
chiefly by the energetic action of the Corporation of London.
But while, as naturalists, we rejoice at the large area thus
unreservedly thrown open for our investigations, as men we
must not forget to give our sympathy to those who have
indirectly suffered by the culpable actions of the depre-
dators.
As to the future of the Forest, we cannot do more than
forcibly support the views unanimously expressed wherever
the subject has been discussed—that it should be left alone as
much as possible. By this means alone can it be preserved
as a "Natural Forest." The workings of nature are con-
nected and bound up in such endless and unsuspected ways
that any interference on the part of man may unknowingly
upset the adjustments that have taken ages for their perfec-
tion ; and in addition to any obvious results that may follow
from some change made in primitive forest land there may
ensue an endless chain of consequences to the animals and
plants that were totally unlooked for. The opinions of
naturalists have already been expressed on this point—fore-
most among whom Mr. A. R. Wallace † has pointed out the
evils that would arise from indiscriminate and extensive
draining. With regard to the large tract of land of nearly
1,000 acres which was formerly enclosed and in most part
cultivated, but which is now thrown open and added to the
Forest, we have a magnificent area for experimental natural
* See the pamphlet on this subject by Mr. B. H. Cowper, published by
the Committee of the Epping Forest Fund.
† Fortnightly Review, Nov. 1st, 1878. See also the paper by Mr. Wm.
Paul, and the discussion in the Journal of the Society of Arts, Jan. 30, 1880.