xx Journal of Proceedings.
common, with the untidy-looking Lychnis flos-cuculi, well named the
"Ragged Robin" by village urchins. Then on through the forest
towards Ambresbury Banks, noticing the heaps of Bagshot gravel by
the roadside, which Mr. Walker explained at one time covered the
whole country, and had since been denuded away, with the exception
of the outlying patches on the Essex heights, &c. Some little time
was spent in examining the Camp, which is supposed to have been the
station of the Roman General, Suetonius, when he gained his great
victory over the unfortunate Queen of the Iceni. The Britons, headed
by Boadicea, perhaps assembled at the Camp at Loughton (visited by
the Club on June 5th), were so confident of success that we read they
brought their wives and families to view the conflict and enjoy their
triumph ; and so certain were they of victory that they blocked up the
rear of the army with their carriages and waggons. When defeat
came these impeded their flight, and a dreadful slaughter ensued ; men
and women without distinction were slain by the incensed Romans,
to the number, it is said, of 80,000 in battle and pursuit. At least, so
the story runs in county history and legend.
From this spot the members strolled gently on towards Epping,
taking the old hunting glade through the Forest, which has been re-
opened by the Corporation to form part of their "Green Ride" from
Forest Gate to Thorn-wood Common. This part of the Forest is most
beautiful, and the fine unlopped beeches were much admired. Many-
plants were noticed : The Sanicle (Sanicula Europas) and the Pig-nut
(Bunium flexuosum), the edible tubers of which were tasted with much
satisfaction. The lovely Lotus corniculatus was in profusion in many
parts, and the Honeysuckle and many species of Rosa were found
wasting their sweetness on the desert air. The entomologists noticed,
amongst the Lepidoptera, Halias prasinana, Herminea tarsipennalis, and
nemoralis, and a very dark female specimen of Eubolia palumbaria ;
many species of Coleoptera, Trichoptera, Hymenoptera, and Diptera were
also obtained. Mr. W. G. Smith, the well-known Secretary of the
Forest Fund, caught sight of a Deer in one of the glades near
Ambresbury.
At the Cock Inn, Epping, a very excellent tea was furnished by Mr.
Tweed, the comfort of the party being studied in every way. The
Rev. W. Linton Wilson, M.A., took the chair, in the temporary absence
of the President, and after welcoming the members of the New Cross
Society, called upon—
Mr. Walker, who said he had no intention of inflicting a long speech
upon them ; he always endeavoured in such cases to lean to the side
of mercy ! They might congratulate themselves on having had a most
delightful forest ramble, in company with their good friends from New
Cross. It was also a great source of satisfaction to know that they
had taken away the reproach from the county, for it was a reproach