Journal of Proceedings.
xli
Thursday, July 21st, 1881.—Field Meeting.
A reunion of the Club was held on this day in Epping Forest, for the
purpose of meeting the members of the Hertfordshire Natural History
Society, and showing them some of the most interesting features of the
Essex woodlands. The weather was charming, but, owing partly to the
day of meeting being an inconvenient one for city men, and partly to
the fact that many members of both Societies were away from home, the
attendance was not so large as is usual on these occasions. The presence
and assistance of two well-known naturalists had been hoped for, but
professional engagements prevented their attendance at the last moment.
About forty members of the two societies were present, including several
ladies. The members of the Hertfordshire Club came by train from
their county town to Waltham Abbey, and thence by coach to the "Wake
Arms," the appointed rendezvous, under the conduct of one of the
Secretaries, Lieut. Croft, B.N., F.L.S., arriving about one o'clock. Our
own members reached the spot in detachments, some strolling over through
the woods from the various forest villages, and others took train to
Theydon Bois, and rode or walked up to the "Wake Arms." After
pleasant greetings and a hasty luncheon, the united parties made for
Monk's Woods, stopping occasionally to botanize, to examine and
determine some doubtful insect, or to fish up in little bottles the
microscopic inhabitants of the forest ponds and ditches. The late rain
and the bright glint of the sunshine enhanced the fresh beauty of the
beechwoods, and many were the expressions of pleasure and surprise
from those who thus made their first acquaintance with the Forest.
Although our looked-for experts were unable to attend, we were not
without skilled assistance; indeed we had with us some very good
observers, and the flora and fauna of the woods were fairly well
investigated during our somewhat hurried peregrinations. The Hert-
fordshire contingent had with them their well-known botanical member,
Mr. Bates Blow, while the Microzoa and Protophyta were registered by
Mr. T. W. Phillips. With our Club were several amateur entomologists
and botanists, and our visitor, Mr. James J. King (representing the
Glasgow Natural History Society) was very busy among his own
particular pets—the Neuroptera. In Monk's Woods the beautiful rose
willow (Epilobium angustifolium) was gladly welcomed in full bloom as
an old friend, and the abundance of the "stag's-horn" club-moss (Lyco-
podium clavatum) struck many of our visitors as a notable circumstance.
In boggy places were seen that favourite of the biologist, the carnivorous
Drosera, and the pretty Anagallis tenella (bog pimpernel) ; whilst in
shady places the little bell-flower (Campanula hederacea) lifted its heart-
shaped leaves and delicate blue corollas from its damp bed of Sphagnum
moss. By one large pond, near High Beach, grew the two bullrushes
(Typha latifolia and angustifolia), and in the pond itself were found
several species of Chara, notably Chara translucent. Here Mr. Phillips
f