Journal of Proceedings.
xlv
part of the ancient Forest of Essex, Hard by was a meadow locality for
adder's-tongue (Ophioglossum) and Orchis Morio, known well to Mr.
English, round the borders of which some splendid plants of Equisetum
were growing. Returning to the Forest, we crossed a bog where the
white-rot (Hydrocotyle vulgare) abundantly illustrated a departure from
the normal foliage of umbelliferous plants, and here a few species of Fungi
were noted. Russula vesca, with its rosy pileus; Marasmius urens, a
poisonous species with a very pungent odour ; Agaricus fuscipes and A.
appendiculatus—common, but welcome when other forms are not to be
found. Here also we met with Stereum purpureum, an unusual sight at
this season of year; usually the plant is only found in perfection during
the winter time. Passing onward through a rushy swamp, which in
spring is always gay with flowers, notably Caltha palustris, we cross the
new road to Gayne's Park and enter the fields known as the "Lawns,"
where in days gone by Mr. English tells us the larva of the burnet moth
(Zygaena filipendula) used to swarm, and where at early morn the vagrant
cuckoos could be seen feasting on the unsuspecting caterpillars. From
the "Lawns" we enter the fine woods, which, although contiguous, are
known by the several names of Gaynes Park Woods or "Birchen Copse,"
Hawk's Hill and Ongar Park Woods. Having previously noted Bartsia
eu-Odontites and the yellow rattle (Rhinanthus crista-galli), we now come
upon a third of the semi-parasitic Scrophulariads, the cow-wheat
(Melampyrum pratense) ; and in a ditch, then dry, near the site of the
"Centre-tree" (now a thing of the past, but the seven rides or "wonts"
converging still mark the spot), was abundance of the skull-cap
(Scutellaris galericulata), with the wood pimpernel and the money-wort
(Lysimachia nemorum and Nummularia). Here Mr. English, from a well-
remembered spot, obtained abundance of the rose-bay (Epilobium
angustifolium), E. hirsutum, E, palustre, and E. obscurum being also
noted during the day; whilst their graceful ally, the enchanter's night-
shade (Cireaea lutetiana) was abundant. On the trunks of the oaks we
noticed many specimens of the fine moth, the "black arches" (Liparis
monacha), and one or two of Epunda viminalis; whilst among the
butterflies the fresh Gonepteryx Rhamni, some Vanessidae, "gate-keepers,"
"blues," and "skippers" were welcomed as very old friends. The alders
yielded many specimens of a remarkable stalked gall on the upper side of
the leaves, the work of one of the Phytopi or gall-mites (perhaps
Cephaloneum pustulatum, Bremi.); and on the maples were thousands of
the reddish leaf-galls of another mite (Cephaloneum myriadeum), and the
wild roses bore "bedeguars" in abundance. Taking the Epping ride, one
of the seven, we descended the hill, noting the fungus Lactarius piperatus
on the banks, regained the Coopersale Forest, and then made for the
gravel-pits. Here Hottonia palustris, we were told, had once been
common, but had apparently been exterminated by the gravel-digging.
But we found a nice Sphagnum bog, containing abundance of a plant
somewhat rare in South Essex,—Menyanthes trifoliata,—the eathery