Journal of Proceedings. xlv
and an infinity of work in the unravelling of the web of Nature's mind,
by fixing the position of numerous natural orders. We want to learn
the function of the various elements of plant-food ; we want Parnassia
Helleborus, and other "carnivors" studied as Drosera has been studied.
We have, undoubtedly, much to learn as to the modes of branching, the
inflorescence, fertilization, hybridization, flowers that never open,
leaves that "sleep," the means of dispersal in fruits and seeds, plant-
crystals and secretions, and many another wide-reaching topic. We
cannot say that many of our "critical" groups are yet satisfactorily
arranged. The aquatic Ranunculi, the genus Coch learia, the altitude
variations of Violets, the hybrid Epilobiums, Cardui, and Verbascums,
Arctium, Erythraea, Euphrasia, Atriplex, Potamogeton, and others, stand in
need of careful study, not to mention such well-known puzzles as
Roses, Brambles, Hawkweeds, and Willows. In these cases, field-
work—the examination of whole, growing plants, and their surround-
ings—is the chief thing of which we have as yet had too little.
The lecturer concludes by expressing a hope that his suggestions
may lead members of the Club to endeavour to fill up some of
these lacunae in our knowledge of the plant-world.
A cordial vote of thanks is given to our conductor for his deeply-
interesting and suggestive remarks ; Mr. Gearing's interesting collec-
tion of coins, and other relics found on the Forest, is examined,
Theydon Bois Station gained in good time, and so end our "Chronicles
of a Wet Day."
Saturday, September 25TH, 1880.—Ordinary Meeting.
The Monthly Meeting was held at the Head-quarters, 3, St. John's
Terrace, Buckhurst Hill, at 7 o'clock, Mr. R. Meldola, President, in
the chair.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The
following were elected members of the Society:—Messrs. William
Cutting, W. Elliott Hutchinson, and E. Delacourt Kell.
Mr. F. G. Hart exhibited a fossil Ammonite from the glacial clay at
North Weald.
Mr. James English brought. up a Quail (Coturnix communis) shot by
Mr. Symonds at North Weald. Mr. English stated that this was the
first Essex specimen that had come under his observation. [The
following remarks, extracted from the 4th edition of Pennant's
British Zoology, 1776, may be given here:—"A gentleman, to whom
this work lies under great obligations for his frequent assistance, has
assured us, that these birds (quails) migrate out of the neighbouring
inland counties into the hundreds of Essex, in October, and continue
there all the winter; if frost or snow drive them out of the stubble