lxii Journal of Proceedings.
were held in much less esteem than at present, did his best to aid
forward the science which had afforded him such true and life-long
delight. Mr. Cole read a paper he had drawn up giving as complete
an account as the scanty materials would allow of Warner's life and
"botanical amusements," and of the origin of the book by which he-is
best known.* Sir J. C. Jervoise had also sent up for the inspection of
the members a quaint and valuable parchment Pedigree of the Warner
Family.
Mr. Fisher Unwin exhibited a large number of views and drawings
in illustration of persons and places mentioned by Warner. He
thought as naturalists they might learn especially one thing from the
interesting sketch of our author given by Mr. Cole, and that was to do
the thing which came nearest to hand ; study first the productions of
their own neighbourhood, and let wider fields of work come as they
may. He had been searching for the "Plantae" for years, but had lately
come upon quite a preserve of copies of the book, and had secured two
or three enriched with curious notes. These he exhibited. One had
belonged to the Rev. J. Shepard, Rector of Woodford, and a friend of
Warner's. In it was a note of the dimensions in 1774 of the Yew-tree
in Woodford Churchyard, and Mr. Unwin thought it would be well
for the Club at one of its Field Meetings to visit the tree and take the
dimensions now for the purpose of comparison. Another copy of the
book contained a MS. list of plants growing in the neighbourhood of
Chigwell, drawn up by the Rev. S. Palmer, of that place, as well as
many other interesting notes of the plants of the Forest. Mr. Unwin's
exhibits were a source of much pleasure to the meeting, interspersed
as they were with short remarks upon the persons and places referred to.
Mr. George Spicer exhibited a view of the Old House in which
Richard Warner lived, and copies of the same print were presented to
the Club by Sir Clarke Jervoise.
The President thought it would be a good work for some of their
botanical members to make a comparison of the list of plants now
known to occur around Woodford, and those recorded by Warner.
The question of the extinction of species is always one of great interest.
Cordial votes of thanks were accorded to Mr. English, Sir J. C.
Jervoise, Mr. Cole, Mr. Unwin, and Mr. Harting, for their various
communications.
Mr. J. Travis, of Saffron Walden, communicated the following list
of rare birds taken in Essex, recently received by him for
preservation:—
(1.) September 6th, 1878 (?). Dusky Petrel (Puffinus obscurus)
found in the early morning after a very rough night, by the roadside
* The Editor reserves this paper for the present, at least, in the hope of obtaining
further information of Warner and his scientific friends. Any particulars of this
nature will be welcomed gladly.