Journal of Proceedings. xix
Dr. Cooke's remarks on the various forms of minute life were illus-
trated by a large series of exquisite coloured drawings made from
living specimens under the microscope. But the rain became too
persistent; the Doctor shut up his portfolio, and the Club fled along
the Theydon Road to the railway, under the shelter of friendly
umbrellas. The 8.37 train set down the members of the party at their
proper stations; a "good-bye," a rapid hand-wave at the passing
carriage-windows, and a pleasant day was gone.
Saturday, June 19TH, 1880.—Field Meeting.
A Field Meeting of the Club was held in conjunction with the New
Cross Microscopical and Natural History Society, the members of
the two societies meeting at Theydon Bois on the arrival of the 2.13
train from London. The meeting was conducted by the respective
Presidents and Secretaries of the Societies, Messrs. Martin Burgess,
R. Meldola, Frederick Stewart, and W. Cole; Mr. Henry Walker,
F.G.S., also giving his valuable aid. The weather during the week
had been of a very doubtful character, and heavy rain had fallen
during the morning. The muster was not so large, therefore, as had
been anticipated, but sixty members and friends attended the meeting,
and were rewarded with one of the finest afternoons of the season—
warm, genial, and bright. The route taken was past Theydon Green
and the Church, through the village, and into the woods on the right
hand, some distance past Oak Hill enclosure. The forest was at its
best; the rain had freshened the plants and trees, but, excepting in
the low ground, it was quite dry under foot. Nets, boxes, and
vasculums were soon applied to their proper uses. Orchis maculata
was growing in profusion and perfection ; and many were the demon-
strations, with a grass stem thrust gently into the spurs of the newly-
expanded flowers, of the mode in which insects unconsciously remove
the pollen masses on their proboces, and carry the fertilising element
to other plants. In a large open of moist heathy land, two species of
Hair-moss (Polytrichum commune et P. aloides) occurred in plenty; and
here the remains of poor "Reynard," with his bonnie brush intact,
lay festering in the sun ! In the woods near this spot, Mr. English
found some young plants of the elegant little fern, Lastrea oreopteris
(montana, Newm.) (See Ordinary Meeting, June 26th.) The party
then proceeded to a piece of marshy ground on the Copthall Road,
where the Bog-moss (Sphagnum) grows abundantly. Here the micro-
scopists at once set to work, but with what result only home study
could reveal. Two species of a delicate Fungus grew on the moss,
and the moisture-loving Bedstraws (Galium uliginosum et palustre) were