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Journal of Proceedings.
he detailed the teachings of each series of objects in a most interesting
and instructive manner. Particularly happy was his exposition of the
development of a pattern upon a series of paddles. Commencing with a
rude representation of a human face, the gradual conventionalisation of
the primitive idea was clearly traceable, until at length nothing was left
of the face but the nose, so altered and degraded as a mere ornament that
nothing short of positive demonstration of the successive stages could
make the student believe that the apparently meaningless figure was
indeed a remnant of a savage face.
The whole collection is one of great extent and completeness, and it is
greatly to be regretted that mere red-tapeism should be allowed to interfere
with its retention as one of the national collections in accordance with
General Pitt-Rivers' munificent and patriotic offer.
At the conclusion of a most instructive demonstration, which lasted until
almost dusk, the General was warmly thanked by his audience on the
proposal of the President. A general stampede took place to the refresh-
ment department, and the remainder of the evening was spent in strolling
through the picture galleries until the dial warned the visitors that it was
time to bring a most delightful and instructive meeting to an end. The
Secretary cannot close this short record of the proceedings without per-
sonally acknowledging the kind and ready assistance afforded in the
arrangement of the meeting by G. Wallis, Esq., F.S.A., the Resident
Keeper of the Art Collections, South Kensington Museum.
Saturday, April 22nd, 1882.—Field Meeting.
The members of the Club were called together at Theydon Bois Station
for a forest ramble. The very heavy rain during the morning had the
effect of reducing the numbers, so that not more than a score took part
in what proved to be a very enjoyable meeting. The party included the
President, Prof. Boulger, Mr. N. F. Robarts, F.G.S., Mr. Andrew John-
ston, Mr. John Spiller, F.C.S., Dr. Cory, etc. Starting from Theydon
Bois at a little after 3 o'clock, the gravel-pits on the north side of the
forest road over "Oak-hill" were soon reached, and a discussion ensued
as to the origin of the gravels and ferruginous sands there exposed, which
were believed to be of the Bagshot formation. Crossing the road into the
brick-field, further lighter-coloured sands were seen exposed to the depth
of 8 or 10 feet, and from thence the members made their way to the
"Quarry" in Oak-hill Enclosure, where the clays are now worked for the
tile-kilns. The Superintendent of the works informed the party that
shells and sharks' teeth were occasionally found in the lowest part, in a
bed of dark slate-coloured sandy clay. The section, which exposes about
80 feet of stratified clays, was much obscured by recent rain-wash and
falls, but some of the beds were clearly defined, and in the bottom