Journal of Proceedings. lvi
Also, extract from a letter from Mr. Christy, taking exception to the
explanation proposed by Mr. Cole at the last meeting to account for the
death of Shrews, viz., that they were killed by exposure to sharp
autumnal frosts. Mr. Christy stated that he had as often found dead
Shrews in the spring and summer as in the autumn. He suggested
that many of them die through fighting, as they often bear old and new
wounds. Some die from other causes, however, as they often present a
compound dislocation of the backbone. Mr. Christy suggested that the
members should make a careful examination and record of all Shrews
found dead, so that some data might be accumulated to aid in solving
the question ; a desirable result were it only to disprove the belief
(common in Essex) that they die from inability to cross a path !
Mrs. Yeates exhibited a sample of some masses of a curious stony
substance found in quantities in digging the foundations for Mr.
Barnes's house, Oak Hall. They seemed very like the well-known
sepiaria from the London clay.
Wednesday, Nov. 10th, 1880.
Science Lecture.
The first of the projected series of Winter Science Lectures, in con-
nection with the Club, was given by J. E. Harting, Esq., F.L.S., F.Z.S.
(Editor of Zoologist). The President occupied the chair, and in intro-
ducing the lecturer said :—There is an oft-quoted proverb, which tells
us that "Wisdom cried aloud in the streets, and no man regarded
her." In opening the present session of lectures in connection with
our Club, I can only express a hope that the streets of Buckhurst Hill
will not be the scene of this intellectual degeneration. The work which
can be done by a Field Club is, as I pointed out in my Inaugural
Address, of two kinds: original research, and the promotion of science
in our own district. We thus appeal to two widely different classes :
to the special scientific worker on the one hand, and to the general
public on the other. In lectures such as we commence with this
evening, we have a common meeting-ground for both these classes.
Being fortunately situated close to the great focus of scientific activity
in this country—the metropolis—we can secure the co-operation, and,
I am happy to say, have been promised the assistance, of some of the
most eminent among our scientific workers. We thus commence our
labours as missionaries of science under good auspices, and we appeal
to the outside public to show that these labours are appreciated. The
President then called upon Mr. Harting, who delivered a lecture on
"Forest Animals" (Transactions, Vol. I., p. 74). At the conclusion of
the lecture, Mr. Meldola suggested that Mr. Harting would be happy
to answer any question on matters connected with the lecture.