Journal of Proceedings. lv
are numerous. Osmunda was once abundant but is now probably extinct.
Nephrodium (Lastrea) Thelypteris., Convallaria majalis, Erica Tetralix,
and alders and buckthorns also grow there.
Halting at a field gate on the way back to the "Griffin," Professor
Boulger read a paper " On the Origin and Distribution of the British
Flora" [Transactions, ii. 69]. A very cordial and unanimous response
was made to the request of the President, seconded by Mr. H. Walker, that
thanks should be voted to the author for his admirable essay.
Much regret was felt that time would not admit of a visit to Sir Brook
Bridges' woods, permission and facilities to visit which were kindly given
by Mr. T. M. Gepp.
Upon returning to Chelmsford at about six o'clock, the company sat
down at the "Saracen's Head," to one of the "high teas" now so well
known to members, admirably served by Mr. Fuller.
At the close of the repast Mr. Meldola proposed, in a few well-chosen
words, votes of thanks to those who, by their kind aid, had so much
enhanced the success of the meeting :—to the Bishop of St. Albans, the
Rev. R. E. Bartlet, Mr. E. Durrant, Mr. Chancellor, Rev. T. P. Bridges,
Rev. S. T. Gibson, Mr. Gepp, Professor Boulger, Mr. H. Corder, and
others who had in various ways given valuable assistance. He was very
glad on the present occasion to see that they had among them so large a
number of their colleagues of the "Chelmsford Museum," and he hoped
that this mutual arrangement might hold good for many future meetings.
At the same time they must not forget to return their most cordial
thanks to those members of the Museum who had been good enough to
receive and entertain them in the very kind and hospitable manner they
had done that day. [Applause].
Mr. John Spiller, F.C.S., said, as that was the first occasion on which
the members of the Essex Field Club had been able to come and go by
rail on easier terms than usual, he should like to include among those to
whom votes of thanks were given the Directors of the Great Eastern
Railway Company. [Hear, hear.] As a Londoner he was glad to find
that the Great Eastern Railway Company had, so to speak, recognised
the Society, and that its members would, in future, be able to travel by
rail to their various meetings on more advantageous terms than persons
who were not interested in scientific pursuits. About three weeks ago a
Deputation, of whom he was one, waited on the Directors, and were most
kindly received by Mr. Parkes, the Chairman, and when he had heard
what they had to urge on behalf of this, their local scientific Society, he,
on behalf of the Directors was good enough to accord them the privilege
they asked for. He thought, therefore, that when they were passing these
votes of thanks they should include in them thanks to the Chairman and
Directors of the Great Eastern Railway for the concession they had
granted them. [Hear, hear.]
The votes of thanks having been carried by acclamation, Mr. Durrant
briefly responded on behalf of the Museum, assuring the members of the